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

[Ausdauersportler]

I don't see an apple with a loading bar without OpenCore, I only have an image in macOS. At Catalina I have no picture in macOS. I only have an image when I start with ALT or start with OpenCore.

With OpenCore with the EFI I attached everything goes. If I connect the external time machine Bacckup hard drive at boot OC always wants to boot from the backup but it should boot the normal Catalina. I can't get the OC to always boot from the same partition in OpenCore Boot Menu, the backup is always selected automatically

Again, the vBIOS has a delay causing a black screen for some seconds during boot. You should see after that delay the ready login screen or the finishing boot up bar depending on your disk speed. Mostly I see my login screen, only.
Before we all start to guess what is working with and without OC I would like you to check this again and write up a more complete current status.
You may also add your config to the personal profile, it is (nearly) impossible to follow up a series of post over several pages just to get you config, problem and status...

 

[Mark Meretz]

So with the Working-EFI everything runs "mDP-Working" 4K adapter and FHD adapter
Here automatic backup is selected, which I do not want but macOS-HDD

With the NotWorking-EFI I get a GUI but before login comes the iMac reboots

Without OpenCore I have no picture unless I boot with ALT then I have a picture but the 4K adapter does not work, the FHD adapter works

Under Mojave everything works without OpenCore, but I would like to use Catalina with a 4K mDP adapter and automatically select OpenCore macOS-HDD and not Backup (External)

 

[Ausdauersportler]

So with the Working-EFI everything runs "mDP-Working" 4K adapter and FHD adapter
Here automatic backup is selected, which I do not want but macOS-HDD

Under Mojave everything works without OpenCore, but I would like to use Catalina with a 4K mDP adapter and automatically select OpenCore macOS-HDD and not Backup (External)

Yes, while I still cannot understand why you did not get a normal boot screen with Catalina, I assume this is still a configuration or installation error, I see you have your 4K adapter problem solved this way. On my system I cannot see this "no display" problem and because I have no 4K device I cannot check the other problem out.

I am really a little bit confused and afraid that you start to solve a problem with the wrong tool - here OC. One should probably go to this thread asking for help with this particular Catalina issue.

If you have to stick with OC then try to follow the guide @herrdude already posted to select permanently a boot partition within OpenCore. You will find this guide linked on page one - did I really wrote this twice?

 

[Mark Meretz]

I don't understand why I can't teach OC to always boot from macOS-HDD, because Clover was much easier to configure.

Otherwise everything is working, I just don't want to have to press the 2 for macOS-HDD at boot

The Problem is my bad English normal use German

 

[herrdude]

I don't understand why I can't teach OC to always boot from macOS-HDD, because Clover was much easier to configure.

Otherwise everything is working, I just don't want to have to press the 2 for macOS-HDD at boot

The Problem is my bad English normal use German

I don't have the same picker as you.

Open the OpenCore Configurator application. Go to the Misc icon on the left. Make sure the Picker Mode is Builtin. Also check Show Picker. After click on Security at the top, make sure you check AllowSetDefault.

Cheers!

 

[_Beckett]

Hello
Im new on this forum so first of all - Hi

Back to topic - i got Late-2009 iMac 27 - I bought it without GPU. After some digging (especially on this forum) I found some GPU solutions.
So i bought Quadro K1000M, installed it into machine and... Situation is strange:
without GPU after turn on, I can hear chime and fans going loud (i dont have connected GPU,HDD and Display temp sensors so thats the issue propably). I can turn it off without problems etc.
After i instal GPU - It turn on without chime, start going loud, then turn off. After few seconds it start loud again andYou cant turn it off normally - You need to press power switch for like 5-10sec or unplug cable.
I have checked that card on Dell precision laptop and it runs just fine. I changed BIOS (using CH341A) but that also changed nothing.
i guess MXM slot may be damaged - But maybe You have other ideas?

Thank You for reply
after I put GPU without heatsink it doesnt turn off - same story as before
Also - after that I think GPU is not even warm...

Meanwhile i got another iMac 27 without GPU
I tired that K1000M on that 2nd one and I have same symptoms - when GPU is plugged in there is no chrme, fans start spin for a couple of seconds, then it stay quiet for a while and then fans start spin and You cant turn off machine

I can get Quadro K610 - its rather bad card but i just want to see if that k1000m cause problems, question is - is it compatible like other quadros (k1000, k1100 k2100 etc)? its also kepler

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Meanwhile i got another iMac 27 without GPU
I tired that K1000M on that 2nd one and I have same symptoms - when GPU is plugged in there is no chrme, fans start spin for a couple of seconds, then it stay quiet for a while and then fans start spin and You cant turn off machine

I can get Quadro K610 - its rather bad card but i just want to see if that k1000m cause problems, question is - is it compatible like other quadros (k1000, k1100 k2100 etc)? its also kepler

From your description I would assume your first card is just bad.
You may get the K610M using the same bios another guy here recently used and posted just to see, if the machine is still fine. Do not expect to get a boot screen and brightness control or even better a modified vBIOS.

 

[Panick007]

Hi everyone, Using all the fantastic info available on this thread, I’ve installed a Dell GTX 765m into my 2011 27" iMac (since I was in there I also upgraded to i7) and I finally have my computer back. No boot screen but I have access to my files again after quite some time. I’d like to flash the gpu with modded VBIOS by @Nick [D]vB and I’m wondering if there is a way to do it without opening up the computer again? I have the Linux usb stick made and I can boot into Linux from a cd, but don’t know how to mount the usb stick, cd to the directory on the usb stick, and run nvflash etc. Can anyone assist me with that?

 

[jowaju]

Arggh, I was given a 24" 2009 iMac with dead video. I was hoping it was a model with an MXM card but disassembly soon showed it isn't. Heat-gunned the nVidia chip at 200°C for 8 minutes but NG.
Breaking for parts.

The logic boards for that machine are extremely cheap over here, less than $19 shipped.

iMac A1225 24" MB420LL/A 2009 - 3.06GHz Logic Board 820-2491-A , 2.6GHZ CPU | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for iMac A1225 24" MB420LL/A 2009 - 3.06GHz Logic Board 820-2491-A , 2.6GHZ CPU at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

The 2009 24" is surprisingly decent, it will take 8GB DDR3 ram and an SSD hard drive with no fan speed issues.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi everyone, Using all the fantastic info available on this thread, I’ve installed a Dell GTX 765m into my 2011 27" iMac (since I was in there I also upgraded to i7) and I finally have my computer back. No boot screen but I have access to my files again after quite some time. I’d like to flash the gpu with modded VBIOS by @Nick [D]vB and I’m wondering if there is a way to do it without opening up the computer again? I have the Linux usb stick made and I can boot into Linux from a cd, but don’t know how to mount the usb stick, cd to the directory on the usb stick, and run nvflash etc. Can anyone assist me with that?

You may simply to boot the USB stick and follow the readme in the install user $HOME folder. Simply do a "cd ~" and type "more README".
All the commands are written down there and they are also listed in the pictures of the original post.
You may boot from CD, mount the stick and cd to the flash directory on the stick reading again the README there

 

[NOTNlCE]

Good morning all - I have made several updates to the WikiPost for more clarification. @jborko has taken the time to make a chart, as many have requested, which will be added to the first post once it is complete.

While the AMD cards are scarce, they are by far the most compelling option for many people. I've tried to rework the language on the page to less-alienate them, since they are now working well.

We are also trying to aggregate UNIGINE VALLEY scores across different GPUs. Many users want to know performance numbers in order to make an informed decision. In order to keep the thread clean, please fill out this Google Form to the best of your ability. Please run the benchmark at 1080P MEDIUM for standardization.

Hope this is helpful - stay safe.

-N

 

[ssaman]

An update for those who were wondering how my 21" 2010 iMac with the GTX 780M was doing, very good into more that one month of use without nothing scary happening. The only problem I experienced it's that screen recordings are flickering no matter what capture software I use.

I'm currently using Brightness Slider, already have the parts to make a hardware mod to control the brightness but I'm hesitant about making any permanent changes if someday there would be a software alternative for the cards that remain unsupported by the OpenCore method.

I wish I could help with the driver hacking side of things, but don't know where to begin, if someone could point me in the right direction I would be more than happy to invest my quarantine.

 

[khindemit]

No, you won't get a picture on the stock vBIOS without a back-light mod,

AMD users should flash the GOP vBIOS attached, you can do it from windows.

Then use OpenCore to get boot-screen and brightness control with no other mods!

AMDVBFlash / ATI ATIFlash 5.0.567 Download

AMD AMDVBFlash is used to flash the graphics card BIOS. The version released by ATI was called ATIFlash or just WinFlash. It supports all AMD Radeo

www.techpowerup.com

Download: iMac OpenCore Loader.dmg


FEATURES:

[1] Native brightness control on Quadro K1100M & K2100M cards.

(more cards may be added in the future through vBIOS updates)

[2] Target Display Mode on Quadro K1100M & K2100M cards.

[3] Real-time hardware monitoring using HWMonitor app:

Nvidia GPU Die Temp + GPU, VRAM & CPU core Frequencies.

[4] Reduced boot-screen delay, no more random black-screen boots.

[5] OpenCore + rEFInd boot-pickers on AMD cards with NO MODS!

(allows bootscreen & native brightness control simultaneously)

[6] SideCar + Video acceleration on new AMD cards (Mojave+)

Huge H264 & HEVC video encoding speed improvements in FCPX etc

Playback of DRM protected streaming content (Netflix 4K etc)


2011 iMacs only -

[7] UEFI Windows: Sound fix for HDAudio code 12 driver error,

can also fix some ThunderBolt eGPU resource issues in Windows.

(Enable DSDT in ACPI section of the OpenCore configuration tool)

[8] Mojave & Catalina: Integration of SandyBridge iGPU Kexts

required for the AirPlay + Sleep + GVA QuickSync video fixes

Catalina needs IOSurface.kext replacing FIRST, more details here:

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

EDIT: 7/28/20 Please download the newest Lilu/WhateverGreen kexts from Github, they constantly change. EDIT: 4/17/20 An additional AppleIntelSNBGraphics.kext has been added to the pack to include board ID for iMac Pro/AMD-WX Series Config.plist. You can now have working sleep when your board ID...

forums.macrumors.com

INSTALLATION:

Restore the image to an SD card or USB stick, I do not recommend installing to a non-removable drive. If using an AMD card show hidden files and extract the AMD config.plist file inside the /EFI/OC/ folder. Set the "Catalina Loader" drive as the default boot disk in system preferences or by using Ctrl+Enter from the Apple boot-picker. If you have problems booting delete any Lilu or Whatevergreen kexts from S/L/E, to disable OpenCore just remove the drive and do an NVRAM reset.


WARNING:

Congratulations, you are now running a Hackintosh! I have done some basic safety checks but I can't test everything, there is a non-zero risk that something will go spectacularly wrong. I accept NO responsibility if Apple ban your accounts or if your iMac blows-up, wipes all your data, and injures your cat... Make sure you have current back-ups of all your drives, and use the RomTool to make a back-up of your iMacs BootRom so it can be restored in case of corruption (very unlikely, but possible). Configuration tools are included, be careful - here be dragons!


Based on "Catalina Loader" by Rastafabi.

Thanks to Highvoltage12v & Ausdauersportler for testing.

Full credit to all the original developers & those who shared essential information.



Better late than never...

Hello! Thanks for your work!

I want to upgrade iMac 12,2 Mid 2011 (Intel Core i7 3.4GHz). Currently installed AMD HD 6970M 1GB
I have few questions:

1. I found this WX4170 card on ebay AMD Radeon Pro WX 4170. As I can see in downloaded AMD_GOP.zip archive there are two rom files: WX4150_GOP and WX7100_GOP. Is the WX4150_GOP rom compatible with the video card from ebay?

2. I am very interested how do you build the rom files. I am a programmer for about 9 years (primary language is C#), have experience also in C/C++. Can you please recommend some resources where I can get information how to write/build firmware for video cards?

3. If the video card from the first question is compatible, can I flash it with "CH341A 24 25 Series EEPROM Flash BIOS USB Programmer Module"? On Win10 with the amdvbflashWin.exe. Like on this picture:

 

[Ausdauersportler]

We are also trying to aggregate UNIGINE VALLEY scores across different GPUs. Many users want to know performance numbers in order to make an informed decision. In order to keep the thread clean, please fill out this Google Form to the best of your ability.

Hope this is helpful - stay safe.

-N

We should agree on the maximum screen resolution and the stock medium quality settings in the UNIGINE valley benchmark. Otherwise the number published become useless

 

[NOTNlCE]

We should agree on the maximum screen resolution and the stock medium quality settings in the UNIGINE valley benchmark. Otherwise the number published become useless

Good call. Is there a default for the screen resolution? 1080p Medium should be feasible from all ends.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Good call. Is there a default for the screen resolution? 1080p Medium should be feasible from all ends.

The default internal is 2560x1440 - which gives sometimes with the small K110M cards low numbers. But this the internal screen size.
[automerge]1587741158[/automerge]

Hello! Thanks for your work!

I want to upgrade iMac 12,2 Mid 2011 (Intel Core i7 3.4GHz). Currently installed AMD HD 6970M 1GB
I have few questions:

1. I found this WX4170 card on ebay AMD Radeon Pro WX 4170. As I can see in downloaded AMD_GOP.zip archive there are two rom files: WX4150_GOP and WX7100_GOP. Is the WX4150_GOP rom compatible with the video card from ebay?

2. I am very interested how do you build the rom files. I am a programmer for about 9 years (primary language is C#), have experience also in C/C++. Can you please recommend some resources where I can get information how to write/build firmware for video cards?

3. If the video card from the first question is compatible, can I flash it with "CH341A 24 25 Series EEPROM Flash BIOS USB Programmer Module"? On Win10 with the amdvbflashWin.exe. Like on this picture:

1. YES - this is a rare one. You are lucky that I already own one

2. NO, but is is probably easy to find some using google, and our single developer is currently offline. But I am interested in the same thing. There are other threads on different sites covering this topic, too.

3. YES

 

[NOTNlCE]

Please run the benchmark at 1080P MEDIUM for standardization.

To accommodate the 21.5" iMacs, please run at 1080p Medium.

 

[rosens]

Hi,

I have successfully upgraded my iMac 2010 with:

SSD, CPU, RAM and a NVIDIA GTX 765M with Nick's VBIOS.

Everything great. Have been running Catalina 10.15.3 for a couple of months.
Today i upgraded to Catalina 10.15.4.1 with Dosdudes latest patcher. As the wiki says - I did not run the automatic patches. System is running fine - but my wifi is gone.

This picture is borrowed - but I have the same:

Any hints on what I can do to make it work again?

Thanks

Best regards
rosens

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi,

I have successfully upgraded my iMac 2010 with:

SSD, CPU, RAM and a NVIDIA GTX 765M with Nick's VBIOS.

Everything great. Have been running Catalina 10.15.3 for a couple of months.
Today i upgraded to Catalina 10.15.4.1 with Dosdudes latest patcher. As the wiki says - I did not run the automatic patches. System is running fine - but my wifi is gone.

Any hints on what I can do to make it work again?

Thanks

Best regards
rosens

Do not ask me why this happens right now, but this here fixes your problem:

GitHub - chris1111/WIFI-Atheros-macOS-Mojave: Visit BLOG : https://chris1111.github.io/My-Github-Pages/

Visit BLOG : https://chris1111.github.io/My-Github-Pages/ - chris1111/WIFI-Atheros-macOS-Mojave

github.com

Had the same issue with Mojave last week on one 2009 or 2010. But of course you have to apply the @dosdude patches except the single "legacy video patch".

 

[rosens]

Do not ask me why this happens right now, but this here fixes your problem:

GitHub - chris1111/WIFI-Atheros-macOS-Mojave: Visit BLOG : https://chris1111.github.io/My-Github-Pages/

Visit BLOG : https://chris1111.github.io/My-Github-Pages/ - chris1111/WIFI-Atheros-macOS-Mojave

github.com

Had the same issue with Mojave last week on one 2009 or 2010. But of course you have to apply the @dosdude patches except the single "legacy video patch".

Thanks - and perhaps it's just me - but how do I apply @dosdudes pathes if I first disable automatic patching? I would really like to just upgrade - not start over on my iMac.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks - and perhaps it's just me - but how do I apply @dosdudes pathes if I first disable automatic patching? I would really like to just upgrade - not start over on my iMac.

This is described and documented in detail on the @dosdude1 website where you downloaded the patcher. You have to boot the installer again, select "postinstall patches" then, deselect the "legacy video patch" by hand and press continue. Patches will be applied and system rebooted.

 

[Kouiderdream]

Hi to all
Thans for the great work that we can continue to use our 10years old machines , just one question about the wx 7100 amd : do the Hp one woking after flash or must be Dell
My other question how to use nvflas with linux and witch version its an alternative to windows because of win camp i dont want to use a new partition in hdd for windows just for flashing may be with dos its possible but i spend alot of time without success
Thanks

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi to all
Thans for the great work that we can continue to use our 10years old machines , just one question about the wx 7100 amd : do the Hp one woking after flash or must be Dell
My other question how to use nvflas with linux and witch version its an alternative to windows because of win camp i dont want to use a new partition in hdd for windows just for flashing may be with dos its possible but i spend alot of time without success
Thanks

Hi!
Regarding all flash alternatives please read post number one of this thread carefully. You do not need a separate partitition. There are boot images available with Windows8 and Linux.

The card should be the AMD RadeonPro WX7100, currently we know of AMD and HP labeled WX4170 and Dell WX7100. In any case it must have a separate BIOS chip on board.

 

[marmalito]

So I flashed the k2000m in my 2011 imac, and I’ve got Windows 10 and High Sierra working from the HDD. I have Catalina working from the SSD, but have to select it each time by holding option on boot. If I set it to be the default startup disk, it just hangs on a black screen.

Is there a way around this? What am I missing? How come Windows can load, but not Catalina? And when I do the boot options, I see:

Windows
EFI Boot (the High Sierra partition)
Macintosh HS (also same High Sierra partition, no text when loading)
EFI Boot (also same High Sierra partition)
Macintosh HD (Catalina)

So is there a way to get an automatic EFI boot or whatever for Catalina? I’ve tried reinstalling using Dodsude’s catalina patcher.

Not sure why there are two EFI boot options for High Sierra. Possible to get rid of one or both? Do we need at least one?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

So I flashed the k2000m in my 2011 imac, and I’ve got Windows 10 and High Sierra working from the HDD. I have Catalina working from the SSD, but have to select it each time by holding option on boot. If I set it to be the default startup disk, it just hangs on a black screen.

Is there a way around this? What am I missing? How come Windows can load, but not Catalina? And when I do the boot options, I see:

Windows
EFI Boot (the High Sierra partition)
Macintosh HS (also same High Sierra partition, no text when loading)
EFI Boot (also same High Sierra partition)
Macintosh HD (Catalina)

View attachment 909011

So is there a way to get an automatic EFI boot or whatever for Catalina? I’ve tried reinstalling using Dodsude’s catalina patcher.

Not sure why there are two EFI boot options for High Sierra. Possible to get rid of one or both? Do we need at least one?

This is not really a iMac issue

You can either chose you startup partition in MacOS in the systems preferences pane looking for start volume OR you may chose in exactly this boot window using the cursor keys the partition you want to boot on default and then you press CRTL and ENTER. This writes this choice down to NV-RAM and boots it.

Of course you loose this while zapping the NV-RAM with the cmd-alt-P-R on boot.

P.S.:
You have two EFI partitions because each HDD/SSD has a single one! You will not delete them