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

[AdamRealMacMods]

Did you try flashing the VBIOS with this method?

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

so guys, I have a little gift for you to give back after such an incredible thread :D 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...

forums.macrumors.com

I have not, i thought flashing the EEPROM directly would be sufficient. Looking at the hex of the rom file it doesn't look like there is any headers or anything that would be processed by a flashing utility. Looks like 256k binary meant for a 256k eeprom.

Happy to give it a try of course.

 

[hoodafoo]

Why is this thread so popular? Is there something special about the 2011 iMac?

 

[doscore]

Why is this thread so popular? Is there something special about the 2011 iMac?

HAVE a read... Just have a think about it mate.. Let it sink in..

No stupid questions but this is for people who obviously own them and are upgrading them etc

 

[doscore]

Did you try flashing the VBIOS with this method?

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

so guys, I have a little gift for you to give back after such an incredible thread :D 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...

forums.macrumors.com

HA! Same cards I got also!!

That Linux method is pretty good too thanks I will try it next time

If the card works with screen sharing just like ssh and I can hear sounds and control the computer it has to be a kext problem right?

I think so one mentioned the AGC power management kext here before?

Is the imac 11,3 board number also inside that kext?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

HA! Same cards I got also!!

That Linux method is pretty good too thanks I will try it next time

If the card works with screen sharing just like ssh and I can hear sounds and control the computer it has to be a kext problem right?

I think so one mentioned the AGC power management kext here before?

Is the imac 11,3 board number also inside that kext?

Possibly you start to read the first post about this.

 

[doscore]

Possibly you start to read the first post about this.

I have mate. Still not working.

I only have this trouble for the 2010 models so far..

 

[Ausdauersportler]

So, I have been messing with the AppleGraphicsPowerManagement kext for the last few days, and I think I finally got it usable.

I actually ended up not having the Mac-942B5BF58194151B key, and changing things under the iMac12,1 key. I removed the iGPU section and renamed the GFX0 to Vendor10deDevice11fc. Now the GPU mostly stays at 600-800Mhz, which is miles better then topping out at 400Mhz, but I do need to tune the thresholds further.

Thanks for the help and everything you have done in this thread!

I'll send my modified kext and changes here as well.

Oh, yes! This was my fault. I used the kext I sent you with the iMacPro config.plist on the 0.6.0 image spoofing the correct board ID in advance. You may try this, again. You need to install the iMacPro1,1 AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext, too. Otherwise your system will not sleep. You find the files in the sleep post @highvoltage12v made.

Since I do not own a similar config any longer you have to test it on your own. I cannot cross check. Do not know it it is better than your solution.

Attached you will find the 12,1->iMacPro1,1 patched AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext (experimental).

Note:
Using the iMacPro1,1 ID effectively hides all black screen issues, too. As long you are using an AMD card with the OpenCore or this experimental Nvidia setting you will not see this. But there are currently three ways to solve this, installing a patched version of the AGC, using Lilu or spoofing the iMacPro1,1 ID.
If one reads the first 5 to 10 pages of this thread all can discover that the annoying black screen was a problem from day one on.
[automerge]1602831713[/automerge]

I have mate. Still not working.

I only have this trouble for the 2010 models so far..

Did you even try to install the patched AGC? I doubt this because you asked for the 11,3 ID and you could have seen the answer when reading the post about this.

 

[m0bil]

Thanks for your reply

Unfortunately my configuration (k2100 + iGPU) does not support anything.

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately Nvidia + iGPU does not support TV+, Prime Video and Netflix.

But I've tried to use Chrome instead of Safari and all streaming services works great.

I'll avoid to use TV+ app and I'll use Chrome.

Thanks for support

That's weird, I have a K610M and TV+ is working fine (I don't have purchased movies, but I can see content included in TV+ subscription).

Netflix doesn't seem to work on Safari 14, but does on Chrome

EDIT: It seems my CPU (i7-860s) does not have integrated GPU, so I got no Intel Quicksync. I guess my mac is using software FairPlay 4.0 decoder (CoreLSKD) to display TV+ and that's the reason it works.

 

[nols]

I have a GTX 780M in my 2009 iMac and it works like a charm. It runs mojave.

Sometimes the imac crashes and I have to reboot. The kernel panic report says, the nvidia driver fails. Can someone help me with this problem?

Spoiler: Report

Fri Oct 16 10:52:37 2020

*** Panic Report ***
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff8012805811): "a freed zone element has been modified in zone kalloc.192: expected 0x3a3531cf5a892dbe but found 0x1010101000000, bits changed 0x3a3430ce5b892dbe, at offset 0 of 192 in element 0xffffff8042de9d80, cookies 0x3f00119b7b92145e 0x5352155201a38e1"@/BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/xnu/xnu-4903.271.2/osfmk/kern/zalloc.c:1206
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff9af3f4abf0 : 0xffffff80127ae6ed
0xffffff9af3f4ac40 : 0xffffff80128ea185
0xffffff9af3f4ac80 : 0xffffff80128db8ba
0xffffff9af3f4acf0 : 0xffffff801275bb40
0xffffff9af3f4ad10 : 0xffffff80127ae107
0xffffff9af3f4ae30 : 0xffffff80127adf53
0xffffff9af3f4aea0 : 0xffffff8012805811
0xffffff9af3f4af00 : 0xffffff8012804ff3
0xffffff9af3f4af50 : 0xffffff8012803991
0xffffff9af3f4b080 : 0xffffff80127babb4
0xffffff9af3f4b0f0 : 0xffffff8012e19c27
0xffffff9af3f4b120 : 0xffffff7f9382c424
0xffffff9af3f4b150 : 0xffffff7f93910011
0xffffff9af3f4b180 : 0xffffff7f9390f50b
0xffffff9af3f4b220 : 0xffffff7f9380ae99
0xffffff9af3f4b330 : 0xffffff7f93b2a189
0xffffff9af3f4b4a0 : 0xffffff7f93ac0814
0xffffff9af3f4b510 : 0xffffff7f93ac06cc
0xffffff9af3f4b570 : 0xffffff7f937e26ed
0xffffff9af3f4b600 : 0xffffff7f937e200a
0xffffff9af3f4b6a0 : 0xffffff7f937ea0da
0xffffff9af3f4b760 : 0xffffff7f93829918
0xffffff9af3f4b8e0 : 0xffffff7f9382aead
0xffffff9af3f4b9e0 : 0xffffff7f94f7821a
0xffffff9af3f4ba10 : 0xffffff7f94f998bf
0xffffff9af3f4ba50 : 0xffffff7f94f7dcf3
0xffffff9af3f4ba90 : 0xffffff7f93923413
0xffffff9af3f4bae0 : 0xffffff7f93922173
0xffffff9af3f4bc30 : 0xffffff7f93923396
0xffffff9af3f4bc80 : 0xffffff7f93923c2e
0xffffff9af3f4bca0 : 0xffffff7f94f97cf7
0xffffff9af3f4bcd0 : 0xffffff7f94f98920
0xffffff9af3f4bd10 : 0xffffff7f94f990b5
0xffffff9af3f4bd60 : 0xffffff7f94f96359
0xffffff9af3f4bdd0 : 0xffffff7f94ebd6c0
0xffffff9af3f4bdf0 : 0xffffff7f94ec007b
0xffffff9af3f4be20 : 0xffffff7f94ea618a
0xffffff9af3f4be80 : 0xffffff7f94f3d64b
0xffffff9af3f4bea0 : 0xffffff7f94ea7e18
0xffffff9af3f4bed0 : 0xffffff8012e58d8c
0xffffff9af3f4bf30 : 0xffffff8012e56e72
0xffffff9af3f4bf70 : 0xffffff8012e563cc
0xffffff9af3f4bfa0 : 0xffffff801275b0ce
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
         com.apple.nvidia.driver.NVDAResman(12.0)[AE94AB7B-ECE1-31E6-8165-08FF46E8CF81]@0xffffff7f937b8000->0xffffff7f93a91fff
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[BFDEB8D4-50FE-3DDB-87B7-F6A504393830]@0xffffff7f93107000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(530.51)[D8CFB89E-3E74-3E49-9ED0-BD2F34A1B31A]@0xffffff7f9379c000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(530.66)[373EAB85-2C5F-3B84-B86D-421F79C47DF2]@0xffffff7f93743000
            dependency: com.apple.AppleGraphicsDeviceControl(3.50.12)[5334847D-B612-3E8C-88A3-C2A5853675CD]@0xffffff7f937ac000
         com.apple.nvidia.driver.NVDAGK100Hal(12.0)[7F98B4E9-CEB0-3354-A034-2D90A819E58B]@0xffffff7f93aa2000->0xffffff7f93c4ffff
            dependency: com.apple.nvidia.driver.NVDAResman(12.0.0)[AE94AB7B-ECE1-31E6-8165-08FF46E8CF81]@0xffffff7f937b8000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[BFDEB8D4-50FE-3DDB-87B7-F6A504393830]@0xffffff7f93107000
         com.apple.GeForce(12.0)[0719ECE9-41BC-3A47-8528-25F14A5446D4]@0xffffff7f94f2f000->0xffffff7f94fcafff
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[BFDEB8D4-50FE-3DDB-87B7-F6A504393830]@0xffffff7f93107000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(530.51)[D8CFB89E-3E74-3E49-9ED0-BD2F34A1B31A]@0xffffff7f9379c000
            dependency: com.apple.nvidia.driver.NVDAResman(12.0.0)[AE94AB7B-ECE1-31E6-8165-08FF46E8CF81]@0xffffff7f937b8000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(530.66)[373EAB85-2C5F-3B84-B86D-421F79C47DF2]@0xffffff7f93743000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOAcceleratorFamily2(404.14)[618B24B5-1387-31FD-A7F7-53283E2C3FEA]@0xffffff7f94e78000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Boot args: -no_compat_check

Mac OS version:
18G103

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 18.7.0: Tue Aug 20 16:57:14 PDT 2019; root:xnu-4903.271.2~2/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: C41337A1-0EC3-3896-A954-A1F85E849D53
Kernel slide:     0x0000000012400000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff8012600000
__HIB  text base: 0xffffff8012500000
System model name: iMac11,1 (Mac-F2268DAE)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 13620927242820
last loaded kext at 11046798947463: com.apple.filesystems.apfs    945.275.7 (addr 0xffffff7f95d07000, size 1126400)
last unloaded kext at 11108192820188: com.apple.driver.AppleXsanScheme    3 (addr 0xffffff7f95cff000, size 32768)
loaded kexts:
at.obdev.nke.LittleSnitch    5474
com.parrotgeek.SIPManager    1
com.apple.filesystems.afpfs    11.1
com.apple.nke.asp-tcp    8.0.2
com.apple.filesystems.smbfs    3.3.2
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC    1.70
com.apple.fileutil    20.036.15
com.apple.filesystems.autofs    3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver    131
com.apple.driver.AGPM    110.25.11
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver    281.52
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy    3.50.12
com.apple.AGDCPluginDisplayMetrics    3.50.12
com.apple.driver.pmtelemetry    1
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet    1.0.1
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager    6.0.14d3
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient    3.6.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA    281.52
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X    7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHV    1
com.apple.GeForce    12.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight    170.12.12
com.apple.driver.eficheck    1
com.apple.driver.AppleOSXWatchdog    1
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelSlowAdaptiveClocking    4.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl    1.5.9
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC    3.1
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin    1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController    354
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader    456.260.3
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless    1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib    1.0.0
com.apple.AppleSystemPolicy    1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleVirtIO    2.1.3
com.apple.BootCache    40
com.apple.filesystems.hfs.kext    407.200.4
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient    408.250.3
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI    5.6.0
com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet    10.3.3
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Atheros40    700.74.5
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort    329.260.5
com.apple.private.KextAudit    1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons    6.1
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC    2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET    1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS    2.1
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC    6.1
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC    1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient    220.0.0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall    201
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet    8
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement    220.0.0
com.apple.security.SecureRemotePassword    1.0
com.apple.kext.triggers    1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl    3.50.12
com.apple.iokit.IOAVBFamily    760.6
com.apple.plugin.IOgPTPPlugin    740.2
com.apple.iokit.IOSkywalkFamily    1
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib    281.52
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib    528
com.apple.driver.AppleSSE    1.0
com.apple.iokit.IOAcceleratorFamily2    404.14
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface    255.6.1
com.apple.nvidia.driver.NVDAGK100Hal    12.0.0
com.apple.nvidia.driver.NVDAResman    12.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP    2.3.0
com.apple.AppleGPUWrangler    3.50.12
com.apple.AppleGraphicsDeviceControl    3.50.12
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert    1.1.0
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport    530.51
com.apple.iokit.IOSlowAdaptiveClockingFamily    1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController    1.0.18d1
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController    281.52
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily    530.66
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily    281.52
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI    1.0.14d1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver    900.4.2
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy    1.0.0
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily    6.0.0d8
com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport    6.0.14d3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport    6.0.14d3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerTransport    6.0.14d3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily    6.0.14d3
com.apple.driver.usb.IOUSBHostHIDDevice    1.2
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily    206.5
com.apple.vecLib.kext    1.2.0
com.apple.driver.usb.networking    5.0.0
com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBHostCompositeDevice    1.2
com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBHub    1.2
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily    11
com.apple.filesystems.hfs.encodings.kext    1
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice    408.250.3
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily    1.8
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily    1.8
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily    1.8
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI    267.50.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage    301.270.1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily    4.7.3
com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController    1.1.0
com.apple.driver.mDNSOffloadUserClient    1.0.1b8
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family    1200.12.2
com.apple.driver.corecapture    1.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily    288
com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBEHCIPCI    1.2
com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBEHCI    1.2
com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBHostPacketFilter    1.0
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily    900.4.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHostMergeProperties    1.2
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM    2.1
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime    2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily    1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily    2.0.0
com.apple.security.quarantine    3
com.apple.security.sandbox    300.0
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch    1.0.0d1
com.apple.driver.AppleFDEKeyStore    28.30
com.apple.driver.AppleEffaceableStorage    1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore    2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTDM    456.260.3
com.apple.driver.AppleMobileFileIntegrity    1.0.5
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageDriver    145.200.2
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice    408.250.3
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily    408.250.3
com.apple.kext.CoreTrust    1
com.apple.driver.AppleCredentialManager    1.0
com.apple.driver.KernelRelayHost    1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHostFamily    1.2
com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBCommon    1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleBusPowerController    1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSEPManager    1.0.1
com.apple.driver.IOSlaveProcessor    1
com.apple.driver.DiskImages    493.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily    2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOReportFamily    47
com.apple.iokit.IOTimeSyncFamily    740.2
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily    3.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform    6.1
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC    3.1.9
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily    2.9
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily    1.4
com.apple.kec.Libm    1
com.apple.kec.pthread    1
com.apple.kec.corecrypto    1.0

EOF
Model: iMac11,1, BootROM IM111.0034.B02, 4 processors, Intel Core i7, 2,8 GHz, 24 GB, SMC 1.54f36
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX780M by nikey22, NVIDIA GeForce GTX780M by nikey22, spdisplays_pcie_device, 4 GB
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 8 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x0443, 0x524D54333136304D45363846414631363030
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 8 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x80CE, 0x4D34373142314737334248302D594B302020
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM1, 8 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x0198, 0x414352313644334C53314B42472F38472020
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x168C, 0x8F), Atheros 9280: 4.0.74.0-P2P
Bluetooth: Version 6.0.14d3, 3 services, 27 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: M4-CT512M4SSD2, 512,11 GB
Serial ATA Device: OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H
USB Device: USB 2.0 Bus
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: USB Laser Mouse
USB Device: Internal Memory Card Reader
USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller
USB Device: USB 2.0 Bus
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: USB Receiver
USB Device: IR Receiver
USB Device: Built-in iSight
Thunderbolt Bus:

 

[r6mile]

Why is this thread so popular? Is there something special about the 2011 iMac?

It's the last easily upgradeable Mac, CPU still packs a punch, and GPU can be replaced (the original Radeons also die frequently) and upgraded significantly. After upgrades it will still be fast enough for most users, and it can run the latest OS with tweaks.

 

[Tuscon]

Why is this thread so popular? Is there something special about the 2011 iMac?

The 2011 iMac is the last one to be “easily” upgradable. CPU, GPU, RAM, HDD. All are exchangeable by other versions. With all newer models stuff gets soldered to the mainboard. That and the fact they can be found pretty cheap with great screens. I own 2 27” iMac’s myself and would not trade them for anything other than another iMac.

 

[hoodafoo]

It's the last easily upgradeable Mac, CPU still packs a punch, and GPU can be replaced (the original Radeons also die frequently) and upgraded significantly. After upgrades it will still be fast enough for most users, and it can run the latest OS with tweaks.

Oh, ok, that's what I suspected - just had a hard time believing it 😳

 

[G3rry71]

Take a look at this post...

This is GREAT I have solved my issue with second monitor.
I'd like now to be able to be useful to someone in turn. How could I help this team?

Thanks!

 

[BeatCrazy]

Oh, ok, that's what I suspected - just had a hard time believing it 😳

Also, it's more than just the 2011 models. The work/info here applies to 5 years worth of iMacs (Late 2009 through 2013), so that's a lot of users.

Although I'm relatively new this world of this gen of iMacs, I find them quite useable with upgrades, and they still l look (and work) very modern!

 

[AdamRealMacMods]

HA! Same cards I got also!!

That Linux method is pretty good too thanks I will try it next time

If the card works with screen sharing just like ssh and I can hear sounds and control the computer it has to be a kext problem right?

I think so one mentioned the AGC power management kext here before?

Is the imac 11,3 board number also inside that kext?

Im now wondering if this card works in theory but we are the first to be trying it on a 2009. Seems like it has been tested on the 2011, and our lovely Ebay seller is making some assumptions. Their reply to me was "Maybe it is not compatible" and then sent me to this thread.

Seems like im not missing anything obvious so im likely just going to return them on monday if i cant work it out over the weekend.

Can anyone recommend a card that works on the 2009 27 i5? Ideally fully functional and stable. One iMac is mine, and the other is going to a customer that will not want to deal with any kernel panics/freezes/etc

 

[drew442]

UPDATE for K1100M !

Well this is embarrassing... turns out I'm an idiot!
I accidentally uploaded the wrong file for the K1100M
If you downloaded the previous version do not flash it.
No other cards effected, I have updated the download.


🎅

Lol, I just reflashed my k1100m tonight to try to get it working (previous assumption was bad flash or bad insertion) and of course it didn't work as per above. Now I have to pull it apart again and reflash... FML.

Thank you though, I appreciate the work.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Lol, I just reflashed my k1100m tonight to try to get it working (previous assumption was bad flash or bad insertion) and of course it didn't work as per above. Now I have to pull it apart again and reflash... FML.

Thank you though, I appreciate the work.

You may use the Linux flash utility and do it remotely from another computer without ripping apart the iMac....the utility will also contain the (9 month old) K1100M BIOS...

 

[Tuscon]

Im now wondering if this card works in theory but we are the first to be trying it on a 2009. Seems like it has been tested on the 2011, and our lovely Ebay seller is making some assumptions. Their reply to me was "Maybe it is not compatible" and then sent me to this thread.

Seems like im not missing anything obvious so im likely just going to return them on monday if i cant work it out over the weekend.

Can anyone recommend a card that works on the 2009 27 i5? Ideally fully functional and stable. One iMac is mine, and the other is going to a customer that will not want to deal with any kernel panics/freezes/etc

2009-2011 is mostly the same systems. Any card that works in a 2011 should work in a 2009. Just make sure you have at least a i5. And check if the card needs a 3pipe cooler. I made that mistake with all kind of weird problems as result. A 2009 has a 2pipe cooler.

 

[torresmon235]

Oh, yes! This was my fault. I used the kext I sent you with the iMacPro config.plist on the 0.6.0 image spoofing the correct board ID in advance. You may try this, again. You need to install the iMacPro1,1 AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext, too. Otherwise your system will not sleep. You find the files in the sleep post @highvoltage12v made.

Since I do not own a similar config any longer you have to test it on your own. I cannot cross check. Do not know it it is better than your solution.

Attached you will find the 12,1->iMacPro1,1 patched AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext (experimental).

Note:
Using the iMacPro1,1 ID effectively hides all black screen issues, too. As long you are using an AMD card with the OpenCore or this experimental Nvidia setting you will not see this. But there are currently three ways to solve this, installing a patched version of the AGC, using Lilu or spoofing the iMacPro1,1 ID.
If one reads the first 5 to 10 pages of this thread all can discover that the annoying black screen was a problem from day one on.
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Did you even try to install the patched AGC? I doubt this because you asked for the 11,3 ID and you could have seen the answer when reading the post about this.

I think I'll keep my current configuration as it seems to be working fine, at least for now...

I do have a couple of questions though: as you can see in the screenshot, I set LogControl to 1 in the kext, however I am getting no extra output in the logs, any idea why?
Also I noticed that the kext as it is now makes the GPU boost nicely, but after sleep the GPU goes back to being stuck at 400Mhz... Maybe some key is missing? I'm not sure what is causing this.

 

[cesarvog]

Just got my Nvidia Quadro K2100M delivered. Can't wait for the weekend to arrive...
X-Clamp was way easier to remove than I first thought. Hope the same experience awaits me when I try to remove the x-Clamp from the stock card...

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I think I'll keep my current configuration as it seems to be working fine, at least for now...

I do have a couple of questions though: as you can see in the screenshot, I set LogControl to 1 in the kext, however I am getting no extra output in the logs, any idea why?
Also I noticed that the kext as it is now makes the GPU boost nicely, but after sleep the GPU goes back to being stuck at 400Mhz... Maybe some key is missing? I'm not sure what is causing this.

The missing boost and the sleep problem has been solved with the kext I gave you. Tried it without spoofing before. For this reason I had the special config files prepared. I will not dive into your solution. You have all the parts...
And because there is no black screen with the iMacPro1,1 ID I do not really know why changing a running system.

 

[torresmon235]

The missing boost and the sleep problem has been solved with the kext I gave you. Tried it without spoofing before. For this reason I had the special config files prepared. I will not dive into your solution. You have all the parts...
And because there is no black screen with the iMacPro1,1 ID I do not really know why changing a running system.

I already had installed that kext, which is why I thought it still could be AGPM.
Did some further tinkering with the AGPM kext and now it is working even after sleep, seems to be 100% now.
Thanks for the help!

Just got my Nvidia Quadro K2100M delivered. Can't wait for the weekend to arrive...View attachment 967493
X-Clamp was way easier to remove than I first thought. Hope the same experience awaits me when I try to remove the x-Clamp from the stock card...

It took me a while to realise I had to remove the X-Clamp from mine... But the clamp in the stock card is not glued, only screwed to the heatsink, so you shouldn't have problems there!

 

[chrisx78]

Hello, I bought a Quadro K2100M from an HP notebook. But my IMAC 27" has now only a blck screen. I hve read in an other Forum, that the HP Firmware in this cards not work for Apple. I need to flash the Card with a CH341A Programmer, is it right?

 

[cesarvog]

Hello, I bought a Quadro K2100M from an HP notebook. But my IMAC 27" has now only a blck screen. I hve read in an other Forum, that the HP Firmware in this cards not work for Apple. I need to flash the Card with a CH341A Programmer, is it right?

You can either do that, or use the easier method by user @xanderon , please refer to the Wiki on the first post of this thread and look for the easier way to flash VBIOS.

 

[chrisx78]

Originally I intended to do that so. But now the iMAC have only a black screen. My question is, is it normal for HP Cards or is something wrong with my card or i have made an Issue...?
Now i guess, I have no chance to start a Linux system now

In my mac there was a MXM -B Version build in, now the K2100M is an MXM-A.