iM 4,1-14,4 2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

[George Colgrove]

I have a 21.5 inch mid 2011 iMac. I have brought it up to 20Gb. I will upgrade the HDD to a 1Tb SSD. I also will be putting a i7 2600s CPU.

I would like to upgrade the gpu to run Catalina. I don’t want to make physical changes. I want to pull the current gpu and replace with the new while keeping everything physically the same.

I want the most bang for the above objectives. I want a boot screen. I don’t want to lose any Mac experience if I can.

I think so far from what I’m reading, the NVIDIA K2100m seems like the gpu card.

Am I right or is there a better option?
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One more question. For my 21.5 inch mid 2011 iMac, I have a i7 2600 3.4Ghz cpu. I know this can be installed into a 27 inch system. Is it ok for the 21.5 inch system?

 

[highvoltage12v]

I have a 21.5 inch mid 2011 iMac. I have brought it up to 20Gb. I will upgrade the HDD to a 1Tb SSD. I also will be putting a i7 2600s CPU.

I would like to upgrade the gpu to run Catalina. I don’t want to make physical changes. I want to pull the current gpu and replace with the new while keeping everything physically the same.

I want the most bang for the above objectives. I want a boot screen. I don’t want to lose any Mac experience if I can.

I think so far from what I’m reading, the NVIDIA K2100m seems like the gpu card.

Am I right or is there a better option?
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One more question. For my 21.5 inch mid 2011 iMac, I have a i7 2600 3.4Ghz cpu. I know this can be installed into a 27 inch system. Is it ok for the 21.5 inch system?

K2100m is the best/most stable choice for the 2011 21.5" iMac.

 

[danKeff]

Hi.

I have tried to read as much of this thread as possible before asking a question so apologies if I am asking something dumb. I have a mid-2011 27" iMac that I would like to upgrade in order to be able to install Catalina (AMD Radeon HD 6970M unusable in Catalina), and also because I expect the graphics to die at some point given everyone else experiences.

Based on this guide I figured I would try to get an AMD WX7100 (e.g. AMD Radeon Pro WX7100 8GB DDR5 MXM 3.0 Type B For Dell Precision 7710 7720 7730) to get the most future-proofed system I can. Would be annoying to upgrade and then find that Nvidia drivers are dropped in the next OS update...

Just want to understand. It seems like this card will lose boot screen and brightness control without a VBIOS update and SmartLoader. Will it basically work apart from those things or will it not work at all without VBIOS update (i.e. will I be able to see anything with this card if I don't do VBIOS and smartLoader update)? I have bootcamp already installed and my current graphics is still working so trying to figure out the easiest/best way to get the VBIOS updated if I buy the WX7100.

I see a lot of people out there using NVIDIA cards. Anyone have experience with WX7100 cards? Are these less popular just because they are more expensive to source (I see them online in quite a few places but they are ~$300 USD).

Thanks to everyone in this thread. It is pretty amazing that this thread exists and people do all this work. So very much appreciated. Is there somewhere donations can be made to support?

Tks

Dan

 

[highvoltage12v]

I have no idea what that kext is. You could always try and see what it does.

appleintelSNBGraphicsFb.kext is a Kext that is part of the SandyBridge/HD3000 Kext pack. It is needed for sleep. appleintelSNBGraphicsFb.kext+HD3000kext+all the plugins are needed for sleep to function properly. I recommend them to be installed externally to Open Core since A software update could overwrite the IOsurface.kext causing your iMac not to boot up. If a software update is complete you Must reinstall IOSurface replacing the stock one. Sorry for the long explanation, it's for everyone to read.

I'll go break my Kext pack up into separate folders inside the Zip so everyone understands what goes where a bit better.

 

[inck243]

One more question. For my 21.5 inch mid 2011 iMac, I have a i7 2600 3.4Ghz cpu. I know this can be installed into a 27 inch system. Is it ok for the 21.5 inch system?

The 21.5 power supply is not as powerful as the 27" so you'll have cooling issues and the power supply could fail if you put a 2600 in an 21.5 imac.

 

[George Colgrove]

Regarding the NVIDIA K2100m, Will I lose anything?

 

[highvoltage12v]

The 21.5 power supply is not as powerful as the 27" so you'll have issues if you put a 2600 in an 21.5 imac.

Yes there is a physical wattage restriction on the 21.5" it won't boot without an S SKU/65W CPU. I bought my CPU really cheap by just buying a whole HP mini tower for $40 and taking the CPU out if it.
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Regarding the NVIDIA K2100m, Will I lose anything?

It's just down clocked but still has Hyperthreading/turboboost

 

[George Colgrove]

Yes there is a physical wattage restriction on the 21.5" it won't boot without an S SKU/65W CPU. I bought my CPU really cheap by just buying a whole HP mini tower for $40 and taking the CPU out if it.
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It's just down clocked but still has Hyperthreading/turboboost

Still better performance than the native card?

 

[herrdude]

appleintelSNBGraphicsFb.kext is a Kext that is part of the SandyBridge/HD3000 Kext pack. It is needed for sleep. appleintelSNBGraphicsFb.kext+HD3000kext+all the plugins are needed for sleep to function properly. I recommend them to be installed externally to Open Core since A software update could overwrite the IOsurface.kext causing your iMac not to boot up. If a software update is complete you Must reinstall IOSurface replacing the stock one. Sorry for the long explanation, it's for everyone to read.

I'll go break my Kext pack up into separate folders inside the Zip so everyone understands what goes where a bit better.

I guess the same could be said of Lilu.kext and WhateverGreen.kext. Is it better to inject those from OC as well?

 

[danKeff]

That was it!
View attachment 878130(sorry its sideways)
Everything is working. I don't know what to say to everyone here but a massive thanks for all the help, especially Dosdude1 and Nick!
Im going to go upgrade the drives and install Catalina now, if anyone needs help especially with the roms feel free to ask me as it was a bit tricky to get.

Hey Nick.

Thanks for your offer of help! I am reading as much of this thread as possible and sounds like you are doing pretty much what I want to do!

I am looking to do the same upgrade as you button a mid-2011. How did you flash the V-BIOS in the end? I can see there is an ATI app for Windows but not sure of the best way to boot into windows to be able to do it given the screen won't work once installed?

Also, what instructions did you follow in terms of the physical upgrade inside the iMac?

Thanks

Dan

 

[highvoltage12v]

I guess the same could be said of Lilu.kext and WhateverGreen.kext. Is it better to inject those from OC as well?

Yes it's best to boot those externally as well. Having multiple copies/versions can actually stop Patches from working properly. Found out the hard way.

 

[danKeff]

I now have CoreLoader setup and working off an SD card and have ordered the CH341A programmer so can re-program VBIOS from Windows bootcamp. Decided easier to do that than have to deal with remote accessing bootcamp...maybe Im wrong but my iMac currently working so easy enough for me to boot in and re-program using the CH341A.

Planning to order a WX7100 but just wondering what heatsink mods will be needed given I, think, I already have the larger graphics card with the larger heatsink.

I currently have a 2011 27" iMac with AMD Radeon HD 6970M 1024 MB. From reading here I believe that is an MXM-B card. If I swap this for the WX7100 MXM-B card (such as WX7100 8GB MXM 3.0B Video Graphics Card 109-C769A1-00B from Dell M7710 M7720) what adjustments will I need to make to the heatsink etc? I see a lot of people talking about Nvidia adjustments but just wondering what changes are needed between 6970M and WX7100.

Could someone who has already done this let me know how it went so I can prepare beforehand?

Tks!

Dan

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I now have CoreLoader setup and working off an SD card and have ordered the CH341A programmer so can re-program VBIOS from Windows bootcamp. Decided easier to do that than have to deal with remote accessing bootcamp...maybe Im wrong but my iMac currently working so easy enough for me to boot in and re-program using the CH341A.

Planning to order a WX7100 but just wondering what heatsink mods will be needed given I, think, I already have the larger graphics card with the larger heatsink.

I currently have a 2011 27" iMac with AMD Radeon HD 6970M 1024 MB. From reading here I believe that is an MXM-B card. If I swap this for the WX7100 MXM-B card (such as WX7100 8GB MXM 3.0B Video Graphics Card 109-C769A1-00B from Dell M7710 M7720) what adjustments will I need to make to the heatsink etc? I see a lot of people talking about Nvidia adjustments but just wondering what changes are needed between 6970M and WX7100.

Could someone who has already done this let me know how it went so I can prepare beforehand?

Tks!

Dan

It is the same kind of adjustment. Place the naked card on the cleaned heat sink and you will immediately see where the components of the card hit the edges on the sink. This edges you have to grind away using a Dremel.

There should be no direct sink to component/card contact when putting the card using K5 pro and Artic MX paste onto. Take a look at the pictures at post #1. It is the most dirty, but the most simple part of the whole thing.

 

[danKeff]

This is my 3rd attempt on the WX7100 (one ebay, second ali, and this one ali as well). I would really prefer to test it out first before I recommend the seller.

Hi,

Just wondering if you could share how you managed to test out your WX7100 before you damaged it? Is there an easy way to confirm it is functional before installing it fully? You mention Nick helped you so just wondering what you did to confirm it wasn't a dudd.

Also, it sounds like if I am swapping a 6970M for a WX7100 I don't need to drill out the X-clamp and can just swap the X-clamp over (from reading your post on this). Am I interpreting that correctly? That should mean I just need to grind away the heatsink and then use lots of K5?

Thanks

Dan
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It is the same kind of adjustment. Place the naked card on the cleaned heat sink and you will immediately see where the components of the card hit the edges on the sink. This edges you have to grind away using a Dremel.

There should be no direct sink to component/card contact when putting the card using K5 pro and Artic MX paste onto. Take a look at the pictures at post #1. It is the most dirty, but the most simple part of the whole thing.

Ok, great. It also sounds like from previous posts that I can just swap the X-clamp over without drilling so just need to dremmel the heatsink.

Also, for the thermal compound I am struggling to find K5 pro in Hong Kong. Will MX4 work OK?

Tks

Dan

 

[nekton1]

Try Amazon Hong Kong

Hi,

Just wondering if you could share how you managed to test out your WX7100 before you damaged it? Is there an easy way to confirm it is functional before installing it fully? You mention Nick helped you so just wondering what you did to confirm it wasn't a dudd.

Also, it sounds like if I am swapping a 6970M for a WX7100 I don't need to drill out the X-clamp and can just swap the X-clamp over (from reading your post on this). Am I interpreting that correctly? That should mean I just need to grind away the heatsink and then use lots of K5?

Thanks

Dan
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Ok, great. It also sounds like from previous posts that I can just swap the X-clamp over without drilling so just need to dremmel the heatsink.

Also, for the thermal compound I am struggling to find K5 pro in Hong Kong. Will MX4 work OK?

Tks

Dan

 

[danKeff]

Try Amazon Hong Kong

Unfortunately there is no amazon in Hong Kong. I would usually order from Amazon in US, UK or Japan however both US and UK have stopped shipping to Hong Kong due to Covid-19 and Japan Amazon doesn't seem to have it.

I think I may be able to order it directly from Greece from the manufacturer.

 

[nekton1]

I tried that too direct from Greece to Japan and was told not shipping at present.
Amazon Japan does have it in stock:

K5 PRO 30g サーマルパッド 置換粘稠サーマルペーストために iMac, PS3, PS4, XBOX etc

K5 PRO 30g サーマルパッド 置換粘稠サーマルペーストために iMac, PS3, PS4, XBOX etc

www.amazon.co.jp

Unfortunately there is no amazon in Hong Kong. I would usually order from Amazon in US, UK or Japan however both US and UK have stopped shipping to Hong Kong due to Covid-19 and Japan Amazon doesn't seem to have it.

I think I may be able to order it directly from Greece from the manufacturer.

 

[danKeff]

I tried that too direct from Greece to Japan and was told not shipping at present.
Amazon Japan does have it in stock:

K5 PRO 30g サーマルパッド 置換粘稠サーマルペーストために iMac, PS3, PS4, XBOX etc

K5 PRO 30g サーマルパッド 置換粘稠サーマルペーストために iMac, PS3, PS4, XBOX etc

www.amazon.co.jp

Ah perfect! I checked Amazon Japan and eventually found one but it wouldn't ship to Hong Kong (3x20g) thats when I started hunting around on eBay and found the manufacturer.

Was just about to place an order with a message asking if they are still shipping given Covid-19 but I guess not. Amazon Japan is still working so will stick an order in with them now. Often there are dozens of listings for the same item on Amazon Japan and you have to hunt to find the one that will ship to Hong Kong.

Now the only thing left to do is order the WX7100 from Ali and hope it isn't a dud...

Thanks!

Dan

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi,

Just wondering if you could share how you managed to test out your WX7100 before you damaged it? Is there an easy way to confirm it is functional before installing it fully? You mention Nick helped you so just wondering what you did to confirm it wasn't a dudd.

Also, it sounds like if I am swapping a 6970M for a WX7100 I don't need to drill out the X-clamp and can just swap the X-clamp over (from reading your post on this). Am I interpreting that correctly? That should mean I just need to grind away the heatsink and then use lots of K5?

Thanks

Dan
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Ok, great. It also sounds like from previous posts that I can just swap the X-clamp over without drilling so just need to dremmel the heatsink.

Also, for the thermal compound I am struggling to find K5 pro in Hong Kong. Will MX4 work OK?

Tks

Dan

Yesterday I saw the first Apple card (4850) installed with MX-2/MX-4 only. It might work on the long run, just check during usage both the GPU peci and heat sink temperatures. If the GPU peci remains high while the heat sink does not the thermal coupling is bad and you have to redo it. You may read this forum post too, there I linked another forum discussing the same question and there is a guy you did some experiments on this topic. I recommend the thicker K5 for another reason: I does the leveling of the card perfectly, you can get it in parallel very easily. Using a more fluid one and a heat sink with little edges is difficult.

 

[danKeff]

You can flash the BIOS and start system with the card "free hanging" in the MXM slot with an external monitor, if you get a picture shut down the system immediately and begin with the installing of the card on the heat sink.

Yesterday I saw the first Apple card (4850) installed with MX-2/MX-4 only. It might work on the long run, just check during usage both the GPU peci and heat sink temperatures. If the GPU peci remains high while the heat sink does not the thermal coupling is bad and you have to redo it.

Great, thanks. That very useful. I think I have pretty much figured out all of the steps but likely have a week or 2 until everything arrives so can plan it all out and try to make sure I don't screw it all up

Thanks again.

Dan

 

[nathan991]

The 21.5 power supply is not as powerful as the 27" so you'll have cooling issues and the power supply could fail if you put a 2600 in an 21.5 imac.

TDP on the 2600 is too high at 95W vs 65W. To my knowledge, the highest you can go on the 21.5's is the 2600s. I'm curious whether some of the lower TDP LGA 1155 Xeons might work....would love people's thoughts there.

 

[cirnolol]

Hello

I wanted to play with a imacs for a long time, and some time ago got imac 2011 27' and ssd, ram and 780m for it.
I have already done all hardware things, so now i need to flash VBIOS.
Can anyone write commands for linux usb from post

so guys, I have a little gift for you to give back after such an incredible thread
hope you like it, the headaches to get it running were immens for me as a newb.

I couldn't stand it to use fckin windows to flash the cards and so I prepared this ~350mb drive

I created a Linux Live USB (based on grml.org) Thumb Drive with nvflash_linux and Nicks Bioses preloaded. and its booting by itself so you can work blind with a new unpatched nvidia card plugged in. Also, its starting a ssh daemon and using DHCP to get an IP so you can remote login

Steps

Download
14 days left to download, uploaded here: https://www.mediafire.com/file/cztz4xqj2sru9gj/2011_imac_usb.zip/file

mirror by NOTNICE, thnx: https://cloud.notnlce.com/index.php/s/xkJP34GD6a9WziE/download


Prepare USB Drive or SD Card
so, you take a small usb thumb drive, partition it with disk utility on a Mac: GPT + FAT32
and just unzip the files structure onto the drive, no dd or etcher or something. just copy paste it. folder structure see attached screenshot. (you can remove the .roms I downloaded and download itself if you want to be sure about the correct file size. I did not verify them at all. use/flash at your own risk please)

Test & Try
test your thumb drive with a more or less working GPU/ external Screen or just have faith in me

Swap Hardware
swap your GPU to NVIDIA and (!) disconnect every SSD/HDD, makes it easier to boot blindly from one USB or SD Card, connect the ETH Cable (!)

Find IP
let the iMac boot, everything is black, the boot loader is waiting 20s before booting, so give the whole process 1min time, then head over to your Router Page and find the right IP that the iMac got through DHCP

SSH to the iMac
now fire up your terminal on a Win/Mac/Linux Machine of your choice and ssh to your iMac with
ssh root@YOURIP
Password: flash
Confirm the ssh id with yes and you should be in your iMac

Working Directory
cd /lib/live/mount/medium/flash

read the RADME in there… I will enjoy my brand new k2000m in my 27" 2011 iMac with Catalina 10.15.3
… and because this is so easy, I rebuild it to a K1100M and flashed that also

(someone could write some fancy scripts but I thought its saver that everyone is doing it command by command and don't stop thinking and trusting some scripts)

 

[nikey22]

@highvoltage12v uses a Xeon L3426 (45w TDP) , but for the 21.5" 2010 model. I'm unsure if this translates to the 2011.

 

[kral84]

Installed latest mac 10.15.4 with K1000m ... I have a black.screen but after finish i boot to patcher and select apfs patch incl. After that all working fine...imac 12,2

//With GTX860m youtoube 4k 60frames is freezing
With K1000m perfect..

 

[highvoltage12v]

@highvoltage12v uses a Xeon L3426 (45w TDP) , but for the 21.5" 2010 model. I'm unsure if this translates to the 2011.

It just translates to a CPU model that has a S at the end such as the 2500s or 2600s or a CPU with a 65W TDP. Always check Intel ARK before upgrading the CPU on your 2011 21.5" iMac, although the 2600S is the clear winner.