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

[searge]

Hi!
Thanks for this thread and all th great informations in it. After a lot of reading I thought it would be a good Idea to upgrade my old and already twice backed GPU in my iMac.
So I upgraded my 2010 21.5 iMac with a New HP WX4150.
Now I get the issues, that the iMac won't boot with attached SSD.
Without SSD I can boot in to Linux and I can flash the card from my MacBook Pro. No problems.
The card is already completely covered in electric tape - except GPU and RAM of course.
I double and tripple checked. Can't see any shorts.
I used Grizzly Kryonaut with a 1mm copper plate on the die and K5 Pro on the RAMs. But I don't think this has something to do with my issues.
Any ideas?

Hi! Reminds me of problems during my installation. In my case, finally the problem was my multiple RAM module set. Just try to only use 1 RAM module. This does not not mean that RAM is faulty, but sometimes after PRAM reset my system does not like to come up the first time all banks equipped. Good luck.

 

[KennyW]

Hi!
Thanks for this thread and all th great informations in it. After a lot of reading I thought it would be a good Idea to upgrade my old and already twice backed GPU in my iMac.
So I upgraded my 2010 21.5 iMac with a New HP WX4150.
Now I get the issues, that the iMac won't boot with attached SSD.
Without SSD I can boot in to Linux and I can flash the card from my MacBook Pro. No problems.
The card is already completely covered in electric tape - except GPU and RAM of course.
I double and tripple checked. Can't see any shorts.
I used Grizzly Kryonaut with a 1mm copper plate on the die and K5 Pro on the RAMs. But I don't think this has something to do with my issues.
Any ideas?

In my 27" iMac 2010, my experience was that 3 different WX4150 (HP / Dell) didn't work - no POST, despite successful flashing with ch341a.
Only WX4130 (Dell) works, and of course the RX480 (HP).

 

[Flotation]

I did several installations and I exchange the 10 years old SATA cable now in any case immediately. It is not worth the trouble it may cause.

You may just found another HP card not willing to run in an iMac 2011 system, we have now two kind of symptoms:

1. system is simply not posting when the new card has been installed (some WX7100, all RX480, most HP 41x0 cards)
2. system is not booting/not posting when internal LCD has been connected (some other HP AMD cards and some Kepler cards, too)

Ok! Card is working!
Booted with USB to SSD Adapter as you mentioned.
BUT...I only get a Picture on the iMac the moment I connect an external Display. Picture stays after disconnecting the external Display.
Any Ideas? Booting into High Sierra.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Ok! Card is working!
Bootet with USB to SSD Adapter as you mentioned.
BUT...I only get a Picture on the iMac the moment I connect an external Display. Picture stays after disconnecting the external Display.
Any Ideas? Booting into High Sierra.

Several ways:

Get the OpenCore Catalina Loader ready using the AMD config files and boot it first, it should fire up the LCD on boot. You should get back to the first post and read through....

AGC patch is the other way.

 

[Stefanox2410]

I installed the k3100m on my 2009 imac by removing the k4000 because it was not good, now it turns on the sound you see black and after a while it restarts making the sound so it goes on forever

 

[Flotation]

Several ways:

Get the OpenCore Catalina Loader ready using the AMD config files and boot it first, it should fire up the LCD on boot. You should git back to the first post and read through....

AGC patch is the other way.

Sorry, forget to mention. Already tried the Catalina Loader of course. Same. Only way to get the internal display working is to boot in High Sierra via USB and plug in an external Display after a while.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Sorry, forget to mention. Already tried the Catalina Loader of course. Same. Only way to get the internal display working is to boot in High Sierra via USB and plug in an external Display after a while.

Try the AGC patch included in the package mentioned a few posts back.

 

[Umarx]

After scanning first few pages and nearly last 20 pages as new member, can some expert shed some light on following to help in deciding and moving forward.

For iMac 2011 i7 with sierra, what is the best gpu recommendations which is:

Better performing then stock HD6970

Better heat management, less watts

Easy installation (no heatsink modification preferably)

Durable, even after half or so life as they are used prior

Simple vbios installation

No panics or issues afterwards

Metal support, for system updates

Is there any sbs installation guide/video of the best contender

I would highly appreciate as i have to update 3 identical imacs and don't want to go wrong. Earlier did 3 bakes on HD6970 and want to move on with better gpu with no hassles for next few years.

Thanks all for sharing such complex info at single platform! Very helpful.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

After scanning first few pages and nearly last 20 pages as new member, can some expert shed some light on following to help in deciding and moving forward.

For iMac 2011 i7 with sierra, what is the best gpu recommendations which is:

Better performing then stock HD6970

Better heat management, less watts

Easy installation (no heatsink modification preferably)

Durable, even after half or so life as they are used prior

Simple vbios installation

No panics or issues afterwards

Metal support, for system updates

Is there any sbs installation guide/video of the best contender

I would highly appreciate as i have to update 3 identical imacs and don't want to go wrong. Earlier did 3 bakes on HD6970 and want to move on with better gpu with no hassles for next few years.

Thanks all for sharing such complex info at single platform! Very helpful.

On the first post of this thread you will find a list of "supported" cards and some information about software to be installed if you move to new macOS versions. You cannot ignore these patches, the most painless installation on the iMac 2011 is currently Big Sur.

For videos you may search the most favorite video platform you know. Currently the best bet is getting an AMD card like the WX4130 posting and working on the 2011 - not easy, but not impossible.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Big Sur on iMac​

There is a new version v0.5.3 of the micro patcher available.

Users of iMac11,x (and MacBookPro6,x) and iMac12,2 can use an integrated opencore configuration ready to install Big Sur on those machines and run it later including OTA upgrades. Please get @dosdude romtool and save your firmware in case something is going south (it is the very same opencore we use here on the Catalina Loader).

Currently there have no further adjustments for other systems been made. It is still based on the same 0.5.1 patcher core for all systems except iMac11,x and iMac 12,x.

1. in step 7 use install_opencore.sh instead of install_setvars.sh to install an OpenCore 0.6.5 version to the EFI partition of the USB/SD/disk installer (verbose mode will be enabled)
2. in step 9 boot the "Boot EFI" partition by pressing the CRTL (control key) when selecting it - now OpenCore starts with a simple boot picker and has become the default start object and select the Volume with the Big Sur Installer and follow the installation as usual
3. at the end of step 15 now use configure_opencore.sh in the same way you did it with install_opencore.sh before to install a fitting config.plist for your iMac and GPU type, (verbose mode will be disabled)

This way you have the opencore version on the USB installer and this way a recovery until we get this back in disk.

Some more notes:

• It will be easy to add configurations for MacPro users with AMD RX480/RX580/Navi GPU using the config files provided on this thread.
• MacbookPro 6.x users can now install Big Sur, but no adjustments have been made so far. These systems lack of the so badly needed Metal GPU anyway.
• Using the opencore settings all other supported systems may enable OTA upgrades.
• One can use the configure_opencore.sh to install opencore to the internal boot disk, too.
• patching using the flag --ns will enable Night Shift
• DRM is enabled on these OC configs with AMD GPU and is working fine on 2011 systems if one patches after OTA update
• You may install Big Sur on iMac with stock ATI cards, it should work, but without any GPU acceleration and barely usable.
• IMPORTANT: After each OTA upgrade one has to call the patch-kext.sh an repatch the system, again!

Last but not least:

• Before thinking about making experiments with the opencore OTA (you would not need to reinstall Big Sur, just use your existing UBS installer as an opencore vehicle) please, please download the romtool (password rom) and backup your Mac firmware in advance! Users of iMac 2011 with NVIDIA GPU have to patch the Big Sur again using the latest patch-kext.sh. Otherwise sleep will break.

 

[Ove K]

Hi @All,

after 3 times baking my original card, I've build in a Geforce 860m in my iMac at august 2019.
It is a Clevo GTX 860M 4 GB. After a firmware change to Nvidia, the system runs fine on Catalina (without bootscreen or brightness control). Last week I wanted to update Catalina. (never touch a running system, I know ;-)

The actual Dosdude patched the installer, but after the reboot I have a black screen now. The system starts and I could login and play musik, but without a screen. My old High Sierra on another SSD could still start with the screen.

Did anyone know how to fix this? I've started my MacBook with this SSD and Catalina is on the newest version. Is there a way to repatch the System?

Another idea is to patch my 860m with a new firmware. Meantime there is a patched firmware with native Bootscreen for the 860m. I hope that the iMac then work again with the internal display. I have a N15P-GX-B-A2 with 80.04.F8.00.1C Bios Version now. But on the card is a 80.04.E9.00.03 Version printed. Is it possible to install the 860M_BR.rom or the 860M_2GB_UGA.zip from nikey22? If I understand it right, it is not necessary to install the OpenCore with this card.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi @All,

after 3 times baking my original card, I've build in a Geforce 860m in my iMac at august 2019.
It is a Clevo GTX 860M 4 GB. After a firmware change to Nvidia, the system runs fine on Catalina (without bootscreen or brightness control). Last week I wanted to update Catalina. (never touch a running system, I know ;-)

The actual Dosdude patched the installer, but after the reboot I have a black screen now. The system starts and I could login and play musik, but without a screen. My old High Sierra on another SSD could still start with the screen.

Did anyone know how to fix this? I've started my MacBook with this SSD and Catalina is on the newest version. Is there a way to repatch the System?

Another idea is to patch my 860m with a new firmware. Meantime there is a patched firmware with native Bootscreen for the 860m. I hope that the iMac then work again with the internal display. I have a N15P-GX-B-A2 with 80.04.F8.00.1C Bios Version now. But on the card is a 80.04.E9.00.03 Version printed. Is it possible to install the 860M_BR.rom or the 860M_2GB_UGA.zip from nikey22? If I understand it right, it is not necessary to install the OpenCore with this card.

Thanks for your help.

Got to the first post and check the section about installing macOS Catalina on the iMac.

Check the BIOS table and the BIOS link for more informations about the BIOS or wait for others to comment. You can also search the thread for 860M

Search for the black screen issue. This is you main problem right now. There are patches...

Having a BIOS with boot screen you can always force the LCD to fire up on boot using alt/option. Nevertheless you will install the so called AGC patch....

 

[Ove K]

Got to the first post and check the section about installing macOS Catalina on the iMac.

Check the BIOS table and the BIOS link for more informations about the BIOS or wait for others to comment. You can also search the thread for 860M

Search for the black screen issue. This is you main problem right now. There are patches...

Having a BIOS with boot screen you can always force the LCD to fire up on boot using alt/option. Nevertheless you will install the so called AGC patch....

Thank you, i'm back in the game after installing the AGC Patch. I've used my MacBook to boot and patch Catalina. Without another Mac, it would not possible to use the patch right? Catalina is now working again with the Display on the iMac .

But of course without bootscreen or brightness control. Maybe I will try a Firmware update with the ** NVIDIA Geforce GTX860M Mac Edition ROM ** I think that the 860M_BR.rom would be the right one for my 4gb card.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thank you, i'm back in the game after installing the AGC Patch. I've used my MacBook to boot and patch Catalina. Without another Mac, it would not possible to use the patch right? Catalina is now working again with the Display on the iMac .

But of course without bootscreen or brightness control. Maybe I will try a Firmware update with the ** NVIDIA Geforce GTX860M Mac Edition ROM ** I think that the 860M_BR.rom would be the right one for my 4gb card.

Having a BIOS offering the EFI boot screen would allow to fire up the internal screen. The real pain is having a 2009. After first installation or PRAM reset the internal screen goes black and comes only back after booting into an already AGC patched macOS.

Having an external display is the best solution. An old 23" Apple Cinema Display costs 50-70 Euro...

 

[Petilj]

Hi Ausdauersportler. I’m desperately looking for AMD patcher and files similar to nvflash_linux member xanderon created. He mentioned it’s buried in the thread but I have no luck finding it. Hyperlinks to download page don't work anymore on the ones I found. Thanks.

 

[KennyW]

After scanning first few pages and nearly last 20 pages as new member, can some expert shed some light on following to help in deciding and moving forward.

For iMac 2011 i7 with sierra, what is the best gpu recommendations which is:

Better performing then stock HD6970

Better heat management, less watts

Easy installation (no heatsink modification preferably)

Durable, even after half or so life as they are used prior

Simple vbios installation

No panics or issues afterwards

Metal support, for system updates

Is there any sbs installation guide/video of the best contender

I would highly appreciate as i have to update 3 identical imacs and don't want to go wrong. Earlier did 3 bakes on HD6970 and want to move on with better gpu with no hassles for next few years.

Thanks all for sharing such complex info at single platform! Very helpful.

There is no best card for your i7 2011 iMac.

You have to decide on your own by reading the first post which lists all the currently available and supported GPUs, any Mac vBIOS modded, their card type, their performance, whether native support of Boot screen or brightness control, their requirement of any heat sink modification, etc etc.

Each card has its own advantages and disadvantages. The market price as well as availability vary in different countries. Your budget and how you are going to use your iMac would mostly direct your choice.

From the ROI perspective, personally I think WX4130 would be the best, provided it can POST in your iMac 2011, which is more picky than my iMac 2010.

 

[KennyW]

Hi Ausdauersportler. I’m desperately looking for AMD patcher and files similar to nvflash_linux member xanderon created. He mentioned it’s buried in the thread but I have no luck finding it. Hyperlinks to download page don't work anymore on the ones I found. Thanks.View attachment 1713662View attachment 1713669

Maybe you have not searched this thread hard enough or read the 1st post careful enough

The information to create the AMD flash version of the USB Linux flash drive is under Q&A Q3 of How to flash a vBIOS. It links to the add-on thread to modify the package for flashing AMD GPUs.

 

[Petilj]

Hi KennyW. As I mentioned hyperlink won't work for me, unless I need to create account on GitHub. Thanks for reply

 

[brkr1]

at the end of step 15 now use configure_opencore.sh in the same way you did it with install_opencore.sh before to install a fitting config.plist for your iMac and GPU type, (verbose mode will be disabled)

After I run the patch-kexts.sh how do I run the configure_opencore.sh? Do I need first to boot from my patched SSD or do I need to boot back on the installation and open terminal again (I did this actually but I have found no configure_opencore.sh..)

Actually, that is what shows when I try to run the patch-kexts.sh..

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hi KennyW. As I mentioned hyperlink won't work for me, unless I need to create account on GitHub. Thanks for reply

Get the vBIOS ROM from post #1.
Get the flash executable file from TechPowerup. Link below

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

Then copy needed files to a folder on the USB.

And in the meantime, study the necessary command line for atiflash. It's different from nvidia flash command. The below guide is for PC, running MS-DOS. If you are familiar with Linux/DOS, you can do the flash blindly by editing the autoexec.bat file. SSH help you control the flashing process, though.

How To Use ATIFLASH

How To Use ATIFLASH (USB Drive Setup) How To Use ATIFLASH Bios Editor: TechPowerUp Radeon Bios Editor (2k/3k/4k/5k/6k series) Bios: TPU Video BIOS Collection MVKTech.net: *ATI *Nvidia Downloads: HP USB Format Tool 2.2.3 DOS Start Files (win98boot) Nero Burning Rom Trail 1. Commands 1...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[Petilj]

For some reason downloaded AMDVBFLASH is document and not executable file. What I'm I doing wrong?

 

[Ri7]

Hi All!

I have a very simple question today...
It's about temperatures.

After several hours of 100% of GPU usage this is my readings:

Is it correct having this 16° difference between GPU PECI and GPU? Difference is even bigger when compared with GPU Heatsink.

My optical drive sensor is attached directly on the GPU heatsink.

Despite this numbers, I never had any issues running games or encoding tasks. I only worry about any issues with heat dissipation that could cause short-term problems.

I have Arctic Silver 5 on GPU and K5-Pro on memory chips/coils/etc

Regards!

 

[Ri7]

For some reason downloaded AMDVBFLASH is document and not executable file. What I'm I doing wrong?View attachment 1713740

Try this to make this file executable:

sudo chmod +x amdvbflash

 

[Petilj]

This is way above my pay level. I'm just plain dumb, but before I give up: does anyone have this files to stop my suffering. Or point me where to get it. Originaly created by Ausdauersportler. Thanks

 

[Umarx]

There is no best card for your i7 2011 iMac.

You have to decide on your own by reading the first post which lists all the currently available and supported GPUs, any Mac vBIOS modded, their card type, their performance, whether native support of Boot screen or brightness control, their requirement of any heat sink modification, etc etc.

Each card has their own advantages and disadvantages. The market price as well as availability vary in different countries. Your budget and how you are going to use your iMac would mostly direct your choice.

From the ROI perspective, personally I think WX4130 would be the best, provided it can POST in your iMac 2011, which is more picky than my iMac 2010.

Thanks, my main usage is not gaming but low intensity graphics work, sometimes i need to render videos too, not high intensity. But temperatures in my place are high most part of the year.