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

[internetzel]

Language? at some points it written in very bad English. Well, it al depends on what you want with this topic. Helpful, or just arrogant that you have the knowledge you don’t want to share.
bye bye

Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you - nor was I thinking of you when writing my thoughts.
My apologies for having been rude to you.

I think it could become clearer what level of expertise is required to get this done successfully... and the language in the first post is important for achieving that. And yes, people who didn't grow up in English speaking places have even more difficulties in using, and even more correctly using, English expert language.

 

[JohannusNL]

Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you - nor was I thinking of you when writing my thoughts.
My apologies for having been rude to you.

I think it could become clearer what level of expertise is required to get this done successfully... and the language in the first post is important for achieving that. And yes, people who didn't grow up in English speaking places have even more difficulties in using, and even more correctly using, English expert language.

No worries. You hit a sweet spot of the issue we are facing, non native English writers. And just because of that it’s more important to make the instructions easy readable and unquestionable.
So, I didn’t want to harass people or doubt about the willingness to help. But the written instructions sometimes lack a good structure. It’s a forum, so no problem. It’s not like ifixit where you can find the most beautiful tutorials.
If this forum acts as a community, what a forum is usually men for, people should welcome new insights and criticism, just to make things better.

peace ✌🏼

 

[Pacific1972]

• so here's what I've done, I still found Windows 10!!! it was difficult but I did it! through Catalina, I rebooted to Mac recovery mode via the Internet, installed high Sierra, opened the hackintool application, disable getkeeper then in the terminal I led the sudo nano command to info. plist < key>UEFIModels</key>
• <array>
• <string>iMac12,2</string>
• </array>
• <key>USBBootSupportedModels</key>
• <array>
• <string>iMac12,2</string>
• </array>
• deleted my model < key>Suppliednonwin10models</
• 
  
• I created a bootable USB flash drive through the SD card card reader, added a partition and formatted it in fat 32, rebooted, in the boot menu, inserted the SD card, then skipped the activation code, formatted the disk and installed Windows, then declined the offer to connect to the Internet, after which I got to the desktop Windows 10!!!! Bootcamp drivers were installed automatically, except for sound. maybe something else doesn't work((( I don't know.... in the display settings, there was a brightness slider, the display worked at half power, then I installed the activation key and went to the NVIDIA website, downloaded the gtx880 driver and as soon as the driver was installed, the display backlight went out, I lit the flashlight, the matrix works)) the drivers got up normally, it looks like the screen brightness is back!!! and it's blinding from the power) I noticed that the brightness slider in the display settings is gone((( and now I'm loading Windows and it works, but how do I change the brightness power? about Lamborghini.... I'm sure this case the Mac will remain legendary! it has so much free space))) to add and upgrade, about the coronavirus! friends I hasten to please you the vaccine has been available in Russia for two months! the first country to receive it is Belarus! )) Russian citizens have already received the vaccine! and your authorities only think that they are the power) we are the first to fly into space and the first to make a vaccine) everything will work out! the main thing is to be confident!

I drink a vodka to the Russian talent for organization and hope that the Corona medicine
will be successful in the russian experimental laboratory of Ukraine and Belarus !

 

[highvoltage12v]

Hi! Thank you for responding
i can't find the screen shot for nvidia driver,
i have another problem if you can help me with this too, i have no sound on windows, i tried reinstalling the drivers with no success knowing i used usb for installing windows 10

For EFI installs it is difficult to re-enable HD audio. You have to disable signed drivers in Windows 10 and create a DSDT that loads on boot. If you search for @Nick [D]vB posts in this thread you might come across it. I also believe there is a MacBook Pro guide someone on the internet that can fix it. Honestly I run my own External DAC so for me in windows 10 it's a non issue. I have to go find the guide again in this thread it's should be linked on the first page for backlight control in w10.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Yes, I found this part: "All is working as intended if you can hold the "Option" key at startup and get a boot picker."
Not really pretty. Are there examples of NVIDIA cards where this doesn't occur?

for the black screen, there is a script mentioned from iFixit, but the commentlines says it's for Sierra. Also for Catalina?
the kext procedure is only for 2011


I'm stuck at the point where I need to add the board-id to the kext.
My board-id: Mac-F2238AC8.
Got into the kext, but the it's not clear where to add my board ID. In the <Dict> part there are keys mentioned, like my board ID.

That board ID is already present in my AppleGraphicsControl.kext/AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy/info.plist. Are you having any kind of issue that leads you to believe my Kext isn't working properly? Looks like you found the post for the kext.

To properly install on Catalina make sure you open terminal and enter
sudo mount -uw /
killall Finder
Then install the Kext with Kext utility from Cvad.
Go back to Terminal once complete and enter
sudo reboot.
Hope this helps.

 

[Bacci]

Can't see my Cinema Display connected to 765m via displayport on 10.15.6
Any ideas?

 

[highvoltage12v]

View attachment 956009

Can't see my Cinema Display connected to 765m via displayport on 10.15.6
Any ideas?

First, use the MDP closest to the firewire 800 port. Next (more importantly) you need to install the patched AppleGrahicsControl Kext linked on page 1. This fixes all the internal/external DisplayPort issues we have after swapping MXM cards.
PS, cute cat

Actually you own a 2010 model so only 1 mDP exists, so just worry about AppleGraphicsControl, I'll still leave the original info up for other readers.

 

[Ed Hartouni]

OK, success with the hardware today, on to brightness control and temp/fan... but seems like my previous troubles had to do with getting a bad K1100M, caveat emptor

Unigine Valley benchmark seems in line with the other, similar, hardware/software configurations

Geekbench5 Metal: 1908

Thanks all! for putting up with me and my questions...

 

[Mars911]

I tried to upgrade my mid 2010 27" iMac with K1100M, but fail, probably it's death card.
I upgraded the cpu from i5 760 to Xeon 3470. The performance didn't get improve. Actually it's slower than before when I using chrome or safari. Is it normal? I probably need a i7 870, will it get better performance?

Compared to Post #9585 , my original i5 760 with 5750 has FPS:20.1, Score:839, the i7-2600 with K1100M has FPS:21.5, Score:899. I am wondering if worthy to upgrade the cpu and GPU K1100M.

 

[internetzel]

I tried to upgrade my mid 2010 27" iMac with K1100M, but fail, probably it's death card.
I upgraded the cpu from i5 760 to Xeon 3470. The performance didn't get improve. Actually it's slower than before when I using chrome or safari. Is it normal? I probably need a i7 870, will it get better performance?

Compared to Post #9585 , my original i5 760 with 5750 has FPS:20.1, Score:839, the i7-2600 with K1100M has FPS:21.5, Score:899. I am wondering if worthy to upgrade the cpu and GPU K1100M.

The valley benchmark is meant to be a GPU benchmark, so as long as the CPU is fast enough it is supposed to have no influence.
Run something like the Geekbench CPU benchmark for comparing the CPU speed.
In fact you should not note any speed difference in normal use, whether you use a quad-core i5, an i7 or a Xeon - but you'll see performance differences in CPU benchmarks.

 

[joaquinmjuan]

Hola, para los que tengan un imac del 2009 Core2Dúo, para Modelos A1311 A1312, yo he logrado colocar una gráfica nVidia GT120 de los iMac A1224 A1225 de los últimos, que ya traían DDR3. Con esta gráfica, el iMac A1311 y A1312, funciona correctamente, reconoce la gráfica, tiene pantalla de inicio, y lo mejor, que hay control de brillo de forma nativa. Vamos, en resumen, es simplemente pincharla en el Mac, y listo. No tiene un rendimiento bueno, pero esos equipos tampoco ya dan mucho de sí, así que al menos, es posible seguir utilizándolos para ofimática o fotografía. Vamos, que sin calentarse mucho la cabeza, y comprando una GT120 MXM de iMac A1224 A1225 en AliExpress, tienes el problema resuelto. Bueno, espero haber ayudado.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Hola, para los que tengan un imac del 2009 Core2Dúo, para Modelos A1311 A1312, yo he logrado colocar una gráfica nVidia GT120 de los iMac A1224 A1225 de los últimos, que ya traían DDR3. Con esta gráfica, el iMac A1311 y A1312, funciona correctamente, reconoce la gráfica, tiene pantalla de inicio, y lo mejor, que hay control de brillo de forma nativa. Vamos, en resumen, es simplemente pincharla en el Mac, y listo. No tiene un rendimiento bueno, pero esos equipos tampoco ya dan mucho de sí, así que al menos, es posible seguir utilizándolos para ofimática o fotografía. Vamos, que sin calentarse mucho la cabeza, y comprando una GT120 MXM de iMac A1224 A1225 en AliExpress, tienes el problema resuelto. Bueno, espero haber ayudado.View attachment 956345

Not good with spanish. But I can tell you a1224/a1225 iMacs are another problem. They use LVDs and not eDP so it's hard to create a DCB table for these models. The Color of the LCD will be off even if a card did work.

I have a GT130 iMac and some unused Nvidia cards if anybody wants to experiment with me.

 

[Bacci]

First, use the MDP closest to the firewire 800 port. Next (more importantly) you need to install the patched AppleGrahicsControl Kext linked on page 1. This fixes all the internal/external DisplayPort issues we have after swapping MXM cards.
PS, cute cat

Actually you own a 2010 model so only 1 mDP exists, so just worry about AppleGraphicsControl, I'll still leave the original info up for other readers.

Thanks highvoltage12v. No dice though, main display is not waking up either without the option key.
It's the AppleGraphicsControl.kext labeled 10.15.6 in the post you mentioned that should have my board-id in it, right?

 

[StephN999]

Bonsoir,

That highvoltage12v corrects me if I say something stupid, but isn't it rather AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext?

Unless I make a confusion according to the type of machine? which you don't have in your signature.

Good evening / day. 😉

 

[Squash019]

Hi guys.

n00b question here. I've read the thread a while ago, and I think it stated that, when buying a k2100m card, it should be the Dell version. After some time deciding if the upgrade was worth it, I bought a k2100m on aliexpress (allegedly the Dell version). I finally received it and this is what I got (sorry for the quality of the photos, I didn't even take it off the plastic package). How can I know if it's really the Dell version? Anyway, I'm now reading it doesn't really matter which version is it, both should work on my mid-2011 21.5" iMac. Is it right?

Thanks for your help and great work on extending the life of our computers!

 

[highvoltage12v]

Thanks highvoltage12v. No dice though, main display is not waking up either without the option key.
It's the AppleGraphicsControl.kext labeled 10.15.6 in the post you mentioned that should have my board-id in it, right?

View attachment 956366

This is very wrong. The utility you're using is installing the Kexts to Library/Extensions.
You need to use Kext utility from CVAD so it installs the Kext to System/Library/Extensions. We are replacing system kexts so it's not in Library/Extensions. Hope this helps

Also open terminal and enter "sudo reboot" after install. So you don't have a hang at the desktop.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Bonsoir,

That highvoltage12v corrects me if I say something stupid, but isn't it rather AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext?

Unless I make a confusion according to the type of machine? which you don't have in your signature.

Good evening / day. 😉

ApplegraphicspowerManagement deals with the boosting/idleing of the card.
Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi guys.

n00b question here. I've read the thread a while ago, and I think it stated that, when buying a k2100m card, it should be the Dell version. After some time deciding if the upgrade was worth it, I bought a k2100m on aliexpress (allegedly the Dell version). I finally received it and this is what I got (sorry for the quality of the photos, I didn't even take it off the plastic package). How can I know if it's really the Dell version? Anyway, I'm now reading it doesn't really matter which version is it, both should work on my mid-2011 21.5" iMac. Is it right?

Thanks for your help and great work on extending the life of our computers!

I am quite sure that both the DELL and the HP version will work if it is not broken. This in an HP card, you can see the label printed on the second picture, HP, Boeblingen (is a small city in south Germany and known to have a big HP facility).

 

[highvoltage12v]

Hi guys.

n00b question here. I've read the thread a while ago, and I think it stated that, when buying a k2100m card, it should be the Dell version. After some time deciding if the upgrade was worth it, I bought a k2100m on aliexpress (allegedly the Dell version). I finally received it and this is what I got (sorry for the quality of the photos, I didn't even take it off the plastic package). How can I know if it's really the Dell version? Anyway, I'm now reading it doesn't really matter which version is it, both should work on my mid-2011 21.5" iMac. Is it right?

Thanks for your help and great work on extending the life of our computers!

Pretty sure that's the HP version. Maybe the seller pre flashed it for you? You might be successful blind flashing if you set your environment up correctly before the flash. I'm old school, still prefer the clip mentioned whenever possible.

 

[StephN999]

ApplegraphicspowerManagement deals with the boosting/idleing of the card.
Thanks for the compliment.

Thank you,
Your answer is really touching 😭, clearly, you deserve it!!!! 😃

Thank you a thousand times! 😻

PS: Sorry for the HS everyone, but a lot of people on this forum deserve this kind of message! 👏

 

[Bacci]

This is very wrong. The utility you're using is installing the Kexts to Library/Extensions.
You need to use Kext utility from CVAD so it installs the Kext to System/Library/Extensions. We are replacing system kexts so it's not in Library/Extensions. Hope this helps

Also open terminal and enter "sudo reboot" after install. So you don't have a hang at the desktop.

It did, it all works now so a big, big thanks!! My iMac survives another round thanks to all the smart contributors here.
Might be worth editing the black screen patch post (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-28406927) to make it a bit more idiot proof. I think you meant to suggest using CVAD there, not hackintool.

 

[highvoltage12v]

It did, it all works now so a big, big thanks!! My iMac survives another round thanks to all the smart contributors here.
Might be worth editing the black screen patch post (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-28406927) to make it a bit more idiot proof. I think you meant to suggest using CVAD there, not hackintool.

Yes, I should consider removing hackintool entirely from the post

sudo mount -uw /
killall Finder

is easy enough for people to remember.
Really just Kext utility is the more important mention now. Things will only get harder once Big Sur is out.
Glad things are working now.

 

[Universal_sol]

I put a Dell Quadro K3000M card in a 2009 iMac with El Cap on it and it works great. Had to shave down the heatsink for 2 parts of the card being in a different location.

Id like to know more about what u had to do to make it fit? I have a 2009 late 21.5 and want to do the same upgrade. can u kindly help.

 

[Mars911]

The valley benchmark is meant to be a GPU benchmark, so as long as the CPU is fast enough it is supposed to have no influence.
Run something like the Geekbench CPU benchmark for comparing the CPU speed.
In fact you should not note any speed difference in normal use, whether you use a quad-core i5, an i7 or a Xeon - but you'll see performance differences in CPU benchmarks.

It was very smooth when I used Safari and Chrome before with i5, but now it's stuck 1 or 2 seconds randomly. Sometimes it's stuck even when I typing. Not happen all the time, but very annoying.

Maybe the iMac is not happy with Xeon, i7 would be better choice.

I tried to flash K1100M with CH341A, no luck. Programmer cannot identify the chip. I want to try flash it with the iMac, but the 3rd LED light was not on. iMac was not communicated with the K1100M.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Id like to know more about what u had to do to make it fit? I have a 2009 late 21.5 and want to do the same upgrade. can u kindly help.

2009 21.5" uses LVDS and not eDP, it's not a compatible model. Even if it was an MXM-A card is a must, do not use an MXM-B card in a 21.5" model otherwise you will have an unstable computer.