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

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
after fresh install i have unselect Legancy driver ... does it matter if the drivers are installed or do I have to fresh reinstall the OS? I have restore my backup from timemachine...

How many temperature ° do your graphics cards reach in normal use? is 60 °?

Imac 12.2 with k1000m...
 
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danKeff said:
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
Click to expand...
Hey Dan,

Dos dude modifies the 700m series of cards so you do have both the boot screen and brightness control. I used a 860m 4gb which Dosdude also recommends and only needed to have a Dell bios added so to work with Mac and Happy to lose boot and brightness for now. I managed to pick up a pair on Ebay for $125.00 so great value @ 62.50 each not bad as will do second sons iMac eventually. I made a Ubuntu bootable disk and once booted using test mode to get into Mac with new card installed as windows and Mac OS did not want to recognize it but Ubuntu did fortunately, both 18 and 19 work(easy to make bootable disk its explained on their website you just have to save NVFLASH and new .rom files on second disk unless you install Ubuntu as unable to save files to EFI usb installation. strangely Ubuntu allowed me to have brightness control which is Linux so funny it does not work with High Sierra, btw ubuntu loses brightness control once you add Nvidia drivers so maybe best to stick to their installation version if you keep a copy of 19.10 for example on your Mac. Maybe the 860m can be updated one day by Dos dude as can't see why it worked initially and only in Ubuntu??? :)

now that I currently got it working (finally) this week using NVFlash in terminal via Ubuntu and thanks to Tech power up for both the NVflash file and bios file. Real struggle was Learning terminal and its commands and after realizing I had not turned on permission in the NVFLASH file to load eventually finally got it to load and update driver making me very happy so now attempting to obtain a copy of Catalina so to install to external disk. Looking forward to boot and get it working on latest version of Mac OS. I came across a 780m for $75 on facebook marketplace as was thing to switch so to have boot loader etc but now strapped for cash and so used the 860m, good luck
 
cirnolol said:
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
Click to expand...

What shall I say :) ? You posted this yourself...

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

read the README in there…
Click to expand...
 
Could someone please share link to GPU that 100% will work with my device? I want to buy any GPU under $150, just don't know where to buy. New GPU will be best (afraid to buy used one, because they can be already dead ones).

iMac 27" (mid 2011)
 
MoreWillFollow said:
Could someone please share link to GPU that 100% will work with my device? I want to buy any GPU under $150, just don't know where to buy. New GPU will be best (afraid to buy used one, because they can be already dead ones).

iMac 27" (mid 2011)
Click to expand...
K2100m is the best/most stable choice
you can find some on ebay be sure the card is from dell/alienware
 
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MoreWillFollow said:
Could someone please share link to GPU that 100% will work with my device? I want to buy any GPU under $150, just don't know where to buy. New GPU will be best (afraid to buy used one, because they can be already dead ones).

iMac 27" (mid 2011)
Click to expand...
Would you like to read the very first post to get an idea what 100% could be and which card you may buy? I agree with the K2100M choice...
 
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I have read it. But still don't know for example will this card fit? There are so much information and so much different variation of cards. With bios, without bios etc...

I bought one card and it didn't work. Don't want to lose money again. Please don't me mad at be for this :))
This is why now I'm try to buy from checked seller, if this is possible.


Ausdauersportler said:
Would you like to read the very first post to get an idea what 100% could be and which card you may buy? I agree with the K2100M choice...
Click to expand...
 
MoreWillFollow said:
I have read it. But still don't know for example will this card fit? There are so much information and so much different variation of cards. With bios, without bios etc...

I bought one card and it didn't work. Don't want to lose money again. Please don't me mad at be for this :))
This is why now I'm try to buy from checked seller, if this is possible.
Click to expand...
you got the answer quadro K2100M form dell/alienware or HP, no need to be worried about the bios with this card :)
 
MoreWillFollow said:
I have read it. But still don't know for example will this card fit? There are so much information and so much different variation of cards. With bios, without bios etc...

I bought one card and it didn't work. Don't want to lose money again. Please don't me mad at be for this :))
This is why now I'm try to buy from checked seller, if this is possible.
Click to expand...
This K2100M will (technically) work. Please just flash the card before you install it using probably a CH341A USB flash programmer, then check it with an external monitor and then install the LCD. You will always find new and expensive cards available on eBay, too. I cannot guarantee that each and every used card on eBay US will do the job. Nobody can do this.
 
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MoreWillFollow said:
Could someone please share link to GPU that 100% will work with my device? I want to buy any GPU under $150, just don't know where to buy. New GPU will be best (afraid to buy used one, because they can be already dead ones).

iMac 27" (mid 2011)
Click to expand...


I bought this K2100M for my 2011 iMac 27" that has the i7 CPU and had the HD 6970M graphics card originally. No need to modify the stock heatsink, had to remove the original Dell heatsink backing plate from the K2100M to drill it out and make it suitable for the stock iMac Heatsink. It was successfully flashed nicks VBIOS using nvflash in a Windows partition once the machine was put back together. Works great and has restored this iMac to useful service. Very grateful to all who have posted and worked all the hard stuff out to make this possible.

www.ebay.com

Dell G4FN0 2 GB GDDR5 Video Card for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Dell G4FN0 2 GB GDDR5 Video Card at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
 
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I have a NVIDIA K2100m on its way.

What do I have to do to flash the Graphics card for a 21.5 inch mid 2011 iMac. I have no other machine to install it in.

Should I partition my ssd 1Tb drive so I can have a windows install to do the flash?

What flash file do I use?
 
highvoltage12v said:
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.
Click to expand...

I want to upgrade mi CPU on my 21.5 2010 this one 2600s fit?
 
RRPC said:
Please, let me know.
I'm looking at DESGlobal Trading Co., Ltd. Store at Alie. they over Free return
Also how you flash the cards.
How much work needs to be done at the heat sink.

I really want this card for my iMac, I want my Mac completely maximum spec.
Have to buy a i7 2600 , and the card.
Already put 32gb of Ram. Also from alie


The price at alie is about
250 ~ 260 euro. For the wx7100
Click to expand...

I have just ordered a WX7100 card from DESGlobal Trading on AliExpress so will see how it works out. They are claiming it is a brand new card. They also sent me a message after I had paid to ask what my laptop model was as they wanted to ensure that it would work and was compatible. I have told them I plan to use in a 2011 iMac so will be interesting if they try to tell me it won't work or refuse to ship it to me under these circumstance.

Anyway, will let you know how it goes. They seem to have quite a few advertised.

jborko: Is this where you ordered your WX7100 from on Ali?
 
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Does anyone has experience with a NVIDIA 675mx? It is just curiosity, i Saw some cards on eBay, claiming that it is just plug and play, with boot image and backlight auto Control... Could this be true?
 
Jforte said:
Does anyone has experience with a NVIDIA 675mx? It is just curiosity, i Saw some cards on eBay, claiming that it is just plug and play, with boot image and backlight auto Control... Could this be true?
Click to expand...
If you are talking about the guy selling from the UK - I know this guy and I am pretty sure that these cards sold on eBay will perfectly work like advertised!
But the vBIOS we got here from Nick is surely different from those cards.
 
Ausdauersportler said:
If you are talking about the guy selling from the UK - I know this guy and I am pretty sure that these cards sold on eBay will perfectly work like advertised!
But the vBIOS we got here from Nick is surely different from those cards.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is. For a more stable iMac, i've got a 780m, flashed with VBios from here. This 675mx is also 4gb gddr5, maybe performance would be very similar. My concern is if the backlight works 100% like stock... 780m with modded vbios does not...
 
danKeff said:
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
[automerge]1586247541[/automerge]
Click to expand...

If you look at some of my previous post you will notice that this is my 3rd attempt to get a working WX7100. I also had a few hits and misses with nvidias 780 and 765, but that's irrelevant to your questions.

1st - that was different card (not WX7100 - it was something like W4170M - bait and swap scenario from ebay), I returned it for a full refund.

2nd - I damaged this one during removal of the rivets (drill bit broke) - I returned it for a big discount on the third one.

3rd - I have it at home. It looks like the right one. I prepared the OC USB image, I flashed the card successfully with a programmer, I drilled out the rivets (this time off the card, by first removing the WX7100 X-clamp - I preheated it with a blow dryer, then pushed the clamp out gently one hole after another). Now I am waiting for the K5 thermal paste before I plug it in the computer. I can confirm (as it was stated many times before) the heatsink does not require modifications. I am eager to test it plugged into the computer and all, but I have to do it properly so I will wait for the paste (next week I hope). WX7100 produces a lot of heat apparently, so you need the 3-pipe heatsink. Assuming you have that you should be all set (no need to drill or grind anything). I will try to put the original X-clamp over the one that came with the card, assuming there will be enough clearence to do that, otherwise I will use either the original or the WX7100 clamp. I think @highvoltage12v was mentioning that he tests the cards shortly with the power supply on/off just to see if the 3rd diagnostic light turns on before going through the remaining work, but this is my last attempt on WX7100 so would like to make it a proper one.
 
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nikey22 said:
Wait a minute, wait a minute.....

The GTX675MX has native control of the brightness??!!!:oops:
@Ausdauersportler what exactly do you mean this card will work as advertised? Can you elaborate about what you know?
Under what operating system is this possible? - MacOS?, if so which version?
What ROM is he using?
Fermi or Kepler core GPU?

@Jforte, thank you for the message you received from the ebay seller, he definitely is claiming this, wow! I'll totally need to verify this.
Click to expand...
It is a kepler GPU, for sure...
I'm considering trying, but the prices? 300 euro? I bought my iMac for less...
 
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This is the card from what the UK guy advertised. i dont think he got brightness control.
Automatically Adjust Brightness: No

1586392797472.png
 
Well friends, after a week and a half of the 880m working like a dream the screen has gone black.

Scenario: Light gaming this afternoon, not under heavy load. Fan control set to keep GPU under 60 degrees. Everything working just fine and then bam, black screen. Open it up to check LEDs and number 3 is off.

Possibly cooked it? Bad GPU? Any thoughts?
 
jborko said:
If you look at some of my previous post you will notice that this is my 3rd attempt to get a working WX7100. I also had a few hits and misses with nvidias 780 and 765, but that's irrelevant to your questions.

1st - that was different card (not WX7100 - it was something like W4170M - bait and swap scenario from ebay), I returned it for a full refund.

2nd - I damaged this one during removal of the rivets (drill bit broke) - I returned it for a big discount on the third one.

3rd - I have it at home. It looks like the right one. I prepared the OC USB image, I flashed the card successfully with a programmer, I drilled out the rivets (this time off the card, by first removing the WX7100 X-clamp - I preheated it with a blow dryer, then pushed the clamp out gently one hole after another). Now I am waiting for the K5 thermal paste before I plug it in the computer. I can confirm (as it was stated many times before) the heatsink does not require modifications. I am eager to test it plugged into the computer and all, but I have to do it properly so I will wait for the paste (next week I hope). WX7100 produces a lot of heat apparently, so you need the 3-pipe heatsink. Assuming you have that you should be all set (no need to drill or grind anything). I will try to put the original X-clamp over the one that came with the card, assuming there will be enough clearence to do that, otherwise I will use either the original or the WX7100 clamp. I think @highvoltage12v was mentioning that he tests the cards shortly with the power supply just to see if the 3rd diagnostic light turns on before going through the remaining work, but this is my last attempt on WX7100 so would like to make it a proper one.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks for this. Confirms everything I wanted to know. Apologies, I know some of these things are mentioned in other places but I often worry if I am interpreting things correctly/incorrectly and have seen conflicting information. I also definitely see a lot more people talking about Nvidia cards rather than WX7100. Anyway, I appreciate you repeating for me and apologies again. I have the WX7100, CH341A, K5 and K4 paste all on their way to me so I should have everything to be able to make the change. I also ordered a Dremel as someone mentioned that I would still need to grind the heatsink. Will definitely learn from your experience drilling the rivets whilst still on the card. The drilling parts are what I am most worried about.. :)

I also have the bluetooth 4/wifi upgrade as well as a second SSD and memory upgrade to 32Gb as well so hopefully at the end of this my machine will pretty much be the best that a 2011 iMac can be.. :)

Thanks again and good luck with this attempt. Super interested to hear how it goes once you have everything.

Dan
 
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