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

[peekpt]

A coil is a really simple component needing only two connections (like a simple resistor) and the right one looks broken or disconnected as somebody tried to push the coil down to get it installed on the iMac 6970 heat sink.

It is not likely that the coil is broken, but you need to reconnect it. You may find some of your school friends being able to move the coil slightly up solder it again. It is no rocket science if you use a small fitting solder iron not melting your card away.

If you have a chance to replace the card, try this.

Talking about music: Check "A million miles away", possibly not your style and nor your music, but performed by one of the greatest great guitar players of the last century, vastly underrated.

Euro zone: Where exactly?

EDIT:
Normally there is a coil/inductor of type R22 as on this picture showing a new K4100M (which is a close relative of the 780M using the same GPU, board, memory...)

Looks like is this one https://www.tme.eu/pt/details/hpi10...PrMtPWgGslvT4aihGmhFM5A8S3gzsJ0QaAhHtEALw_wcB

 

[RioRio]

EDIT: 8/16/20 NEW AGC kexts have been added to change "board-id" to "board-ix" in the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy binary. This has the same affect as "agdpmod=pikera" from Whatevergreen, this upload is for AMD users.

"instant on" K3100m/k4100m/k5100m/780m etc cards need this kext to fix DisplayPort Output.

I'm uploading a patched AppleGrapahicsControl.kext that is now necessary as of 10.15.4, the symptoms after this update are a blank screen but system sounds are heard when holding down the Escape key, as well a loss of any Displayport output. The cause of this is Apple Clamping down on 3rd party kexts from loading, this mainly affects hackintosh users, but affects us as our iMacs are no longer a supported platform.

What does this patched AppleGraphicsControl.kext do to allow 2009-2011 iMacs to properly boot? We now need our board ID's to be added to the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy.kext within AppleGraphicsControl.kext, this allows the kext to properly load on boot, before this wasn't necessarily needed. I have so far all known 5 board ID's that are supported on our thread.

iMac12,2	(27-inch Mid 2011)	Mac-942B59F58194171B
iMac12,1	(21.5-inch Mid 2011)	Mac-942B5BF58194151B
iMac11,3	(27-inch Mid 2010)	Mac-F2238BAE
iMac11,2	(21.5-inch Mid 2010)	Mac-F2238AC8
iMac11,1	(27-inch Late 2009)	Mac-F2268DAE

Thanks to @Ausdauersportler for the helping/testing for this kext.

How to install when your iMac boots with a Blank screen? (assuming your LCD works just fine)

When booting you need to Hold Alt/Option to bring up the AppleBootPicker, then select the Catalina partition. Since the iMac's Screen is already on when using AppleBootPicker the iMacs screen will remain on the entire boot process allowing you to log in and then proceed to install the Patched AppleGraphicsControl Kext.

To install this kext
1. unlock your System partition, open terminal enter

sudo mount -uw /
killall Finder

2. drag the kext on-top of the kext utility icon let it install/timeout with an error.

3. Open terminal and enter "sudo reboot" skipping this step may leave your iMac hanging at the desktop (A Catalina issue)


Make sure to unzip the kext to a new folder, so there aren't any "1" or "2"... at the end of the AppleGraphicsControl.kext filename. Remember the is replacing the System Kext in System/Library/Extensions and must be done using Kext Utility linked here http://cvad-mac.narod.ru/index/0-4.

I am facing the black screen issue in Catalina 10.15.7 . I have installed the kext as described in this post. Unfortunately the black screen problem persists unless I hold the option key on start up. My system is a 21.5-inch Mid 2011 with a Quadro K2100M.

EDIT: Now it works. I replaced the internal Catalina SSD with a HDD from my Mac mini running High Sierra and it worked. Then I switched back to the Catalina SSD and it suddenly worked. I think my mistake was doing a SMC reset instead of a PRAM reset. Sorry guys, I'm a noob.

 

[The_Croupier]

Otherwise you are just burning down the house (card).

Do you trust more in my eyes a million miles away (btw: Who knows this great song?) than in your own?

Talking Heads? Burning Down the House

 

[ducks007]

** NVIDIA Quadro K4100M Mac Edition ROM **
Genuine Native Boot Screen & Brightness Control
​

View attachment 942198


After much testing and research, I've put together a ROM for the NVIDIA Quadro K4100M which will allow:

• Genuine native brightness control
• Genuine ‘gray’ early-boot screen
• Genuine macOS bootloader compliance

Requirements:
iMac12,2 (27-inch Mid 2011) Mac-942B59F58194171B (Tested machine)
BootROM: 87.0.0.0. Please use High Sierra to update your BootROM to latest version.

GPU Variant: N15E-Q3-A2
Dell K4100M vbios: 80.04.E8.00.1D
HP K4100M vbios: 80.04.E8.00.22

This ROM does not require a 3rd party bootloader like OpenCore.
This is an alternative ROM and mainly for the audience that just want a “drop-in” answer to upgrading their video card on the iMac 2011. I appreciate the ongoing ROM testing done by @Ausdauersportler, @highvoltage12v. With their efforts we can expand its utility across multiple macOS versions and peripherals.

Brightness Control Stepping Modifcation:
-Turn computer on, hold down Command(⌘)-R
-Choose Utilities > Terminal
-Enter:csrutil disable
-MacOS Catalina: requires you to make root writeable: sudo mount -uw /
-Reboot
-Download and open 'Kext Utility v2.6.6'

-Navigate to S/L/E (System/Library/Extensions)
-Copy "AppleBacklight.kext" to Desktop
-Edit: AppleBacklight.kext/Contents/Info.plist
-Scroll down to: IOKitPersonalities > AppleIntelPanelA > ApplePanels
-There you find several Apple LCD profiles.
-For the iMac 2011 27" machine locate:

<key>F10Ta007</key>
<data>
ABEABgALABQAHAAnADMAPwBOAFwAZwBzAIEAkQClAL8A2wD/
</data>

-Change the <data> section to:
ABEAAgA3AF8AigCzAOsBJAFnAakB1AIJAlQCogL4A00DlgRpBGk=

-Drag your modded kext into Kext Utility, allow it correct permissions
-Applebacklight.kext.bak folder will be created
-Reboot

The above data pattern will allow for a wider span of steppings for the brightness control and utilizes more of the capacity of the HD3000. If you have a different machine, your panel ID can be found by going to System Preferences > Displays > Color > Open Profile > mmod

This rom does not require the use of an external EDID parser or a separate graphics core-console stack module, but I’ve left them in there for now. It uses a built in EDID_override_Protocol, a UGA_protocol and GOP_protocol. The rom is based on a TianoCore EDK2 build which houses its own generic video driver. During bootup, the efiROM is responsible for video rendering before the control is seamlessly transferred off to a different handle, the macOS video drivers. This is known as pre-boot configuration.

Caveats post-install/Bugs:
-16bit resolution glitch of UGA_DRAW_PROTOCOL - temporary solution: activate a sleep cycle and return, this should now clear the issue.

warning: as stated previously these cards are based on a WSON flash package and therefore are much more difficult to recover from a bad flash. Please take precautions and verify flashing.


In the words of Steve Jobs, “this is insanely great!”


******
UPDATE
******
07 02 2020: tested stability @2200Mhz & 967Mhz, thank you Ri7 for testing
09 08 2020: working on BigSur!
21 07 2020: working on Mojave 10.14.6, security update 2020-004 (18G6020)
20 07 2020: working on High Sierra 10.13.6, security update 2020-004
20 07 2020: working on Catalina 10.15.4
20 07 2020: working on Catalina 10.15.6 + kext mods

Hello,
what is the difference with the previous K4100M_BR version?
I have a K4100m flashed recently in my imac 27' 2011, should I update with this K4100M_UGA ?
Thanks

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hello,
what is the difference with the previous K4100M_BR version?
I have a K4100m flashed recently in my imac 27' 2011, should I update with this K4100M_UGA ?
Thanks

Did you read the post, especially the last lines?
This is over clocking. Use at your own risk.

******
UPDATE
******
07 02 2020: tested stability @2200Mhz & 967Mhz, thank you Ri7 for testing

 

[ducks007]

Did you read the post, especially the last lines?
This is over clocking. Use at your own risk.

******
UPDATE
******
07 02 2020: tested stability @2200Mhz & 967Mhz, thank you Ri7 for testing

yes I've read it but it's little "obscur" for me, I don't know what are the previous value?
is it overclocking or something like that? will the heat grow up? (crossing message with your edit)
sorry for my newbee question

 

[Ausdauersportler]

yes I've read it but it's little "obscur" for me, I don't know what are the previous value?
is it overclocking or somting like that? will the heat grow up?
sorry for my newbee question

You can find the normal (or design) values here:

NVIDIA Quadro K4100M Specs

NVIDIA GK104, 706 MHz, 1152 Cores, 96 TMUs, 32 ROPs, 4096 MB GDDR5, 800 MHz, 256 bit

www.techpowerup.com

This is a walk on the edge. I have absolutely no idea how this impacts the card on the long run, on the short run you get a better gamer experience and higher benchmark results.
The power draw on average should be the same. I know @nikey22 has always an eye on this.

 

[peekpt]

Thanks for sharing! If you feel so inclined, Please read the first post under "graphics card performance" and upload your unigine valley benchmark results!

my k610m runs it at 5-9fps 😂

 

[Titus imac]

Hi, I'm new here, let's see if you can help me, I've read a lot about GPU for imac 27 ”mid 2011 and I need to know which is the best option for me, my HD6970m 2gb GPU has died several times (reflow for me on several occasions) and I have decided to change for another GPU, basically I use for video editing with final cut pro X in High sierra (1080p and 4K), my Imac 27 ”has Intel i7 3.4ghz, 20 gb Ram and 256 gb ssd. I think my best option is GPU GTX 980m or Nvidia quadro but I don't know the compatibility and stability that it can have with high sierra or if I can use it in Catalina or Big sur ... I don't mind paying nas for a good GPU, but I need an opinion Which exact model do I have to buy so as not to run into problems ... I understand that in nvidia models I have to change Rom, drivers ... to boot theme and be able to use the main screen, I have a DisplayPort to hdmi cable for the first use in external monitor for GPU configuration. Thank you

 

[peekpt]

@Titus imac if money isn't a problem check the first posts gpu table and choose the ones that runs brightness and bootscreen natively, then check for the Roms if users get problems.

 

[KennyW]

Hi, I'm new here, let's see if you can help me, I've read a lot about GPU for imac 27 ”mid 2011 and I need to know which is the best option for me, my HD6970m 2gb GPU has died several times (reflow for me on several occasions) and I have decided to change for another GPU, basically I use for video editing with final cut pro X in High sierra (1080p and 4K), my Imac 27 ”has Intel i7 3.4ghz, 20 gb Ram and 256 gb ssd. I think my best option is GPU GTX 980m or Nvidia quadro but I don't know the compatibility and stability that it can have with high sierra or if I can use it in Catalina or Big sur ... I don't mind paying nas for a good GPU, but I need an opinion Which exact model do I have to buy so as not to run into problems ... I understand that in nvidia models I have to change Rom, drivers ... to boot theme and be able to use the main screen, I have a DisplayPort to hdmi cable for the first use in external monitor for GPU configuration. Thank you

How do you conclude that nVidia GPUs would be your best options ?

If you are into video editing, I do think the AMD GPUs with Hardware Video Acceleration in Catalina / Big Sur would be more suitable. Even the cheapest AMD low end WX4130 would do, which shouldn't be looked down upon when compared to the "high end" nVidia.

But seriously, you should save for the M1 MacMini if you are willing to spend on the high end "old" nVidia GPUs

 

[Titus imac]

thanks for the answer, the first thing I did in my search was to check the table, my main question is: which is the best GPU for me? I only use for high quality video editing. thanks

 

[Titus imac]

How do you conclude that nVidia GPUs would be your best options ?

If you are into video editing, I do think the AMD GPUs with Hardware Video Acceleration in Catalina / Big Sur would be more suitable. Even the cheapest AMD low end WX4130 would do, which shouldn't be looked down upon when compared to the "high end" nVidia.

But seriously, you should save for the M1 MacMini if you are willing to spend on the high end "old" nVidia GPUs

Thanks for the answer, so which graphics AMD is better and more powerful (stable and functional) for my imac mid 2011? thanks

 

[KennyW]

Thanks for the answer, so which graphics AMD is better and more powerful (stable and functional) for my imac mid 2011? thanks

There is no "best" card. It depends on your budget and usage.
But my comment on AMD cards is here, summarizing many of the obsevations discovered by users and developers:

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

The AMD is a weird family indeed. WX4150 is a temperamental lady that can't be easily handled by 21.5" Mac boy, but 27" Mac gentleman. She is not friendly across the ages from 2009 to 2011, not to mention her grand-ma Radeon HD 6xxx who gives a black face (dark screen) to everyone despite you...

forums.macrumors.com

While I am biased, the cheapest WX4130 should meet your need if you an bear with your old ATI GPU in High Sierra.
But finding a working one may not be easy, and the Dell version should be most compatible with a few users report working in iMac 2011.

 

[roolaing]

Thanks for the answer, so which graphics AMD is better and more powerful (stable and functional) for my imac mid 2011? thanks

? Apple iMac 2011 A1312 AMD HD 6970M - Graphics Card Replacement NVIDIA 2GB ? | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ? Apple iMac 2011 A1312 AMD HD 6970M - Graphics Card Replacement NVIDIA 2GB ? at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

I got a pre-flashed k1000m from this seller, and they were great.
Card works really well, now running Big Sur on the same machine as you.

All the best

 

[KennyW]

Hi, I'm new here, let's see if you can help me, I've read a lot about GPU for imac 27 ”mid 2011 and I need to know which is the best option for me, my HD6970m 2gb GPU has died several times (reflow for me on several occasions) and I have decided to change for another GPU, basically I use for video editing with final cut pro X in High sierra (1080p and 4K), my Imac 27 ”has Intel i7 3.4ghz, 20 gb Ram and 256 gb ssd. I think my best option is GPU GTX 980m or Nvidia quadro but I don't know the compatibility and stability that it can have with high sierra or if I can use it in Catalina or Big sur ... I don't mind paying nas for a good GPU, but I need an opinion Which exact model do I have to buy so as not to run into problems ... I understand that in nvidia models I have to change Rom, drivers ... to boot theme and be able to use the main screen, I have a DisplayPort to hdmi cable for the first use in external monitor for GPU configuration. Thank you

Is Final Cut Pro X optimized for AMD GPUs ? Another point for your consideration.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Is Final Cut Pro X optimized for AMD GPUs ? Another point for your consideration.

Yes, it is!

 

[sergiodadi]

Hi all!

I did something evil, binary patched a Big Sur GUI patcher to include the Big Sur iMac micropatcher to get a (hopefully) completely command line free installation of Big Sur. I need volunteers to test it:

with pleasure


i have a iMac mi 2011 27" (it is not the one in my signature, it is another) with a Dell card WX4150 with vBIOS . I try your patcher and it seem work very well, the result is:



However I have 2 questions . I create the installer on a USB key and the disk is a USB SSD disk . The USB key is disk1 and there is a EFI partition:



When I boot (with no SD card) , I have not the "EFI boot", I have "UEFI shell":




I choose "Install macOS Big Sur", after installing macOS Big Sur, I boot back to the USB key, I select Post-Install Automator , I reboot and I have:






I login and all seem OK.

1) Did I make a mistake to not have the "EFI boot " ? (I tried twice)

2) I have



Do you think I can do this update safely? I have read this : "OTA upgrade to 11.2 (20D64) using OC 0.6.6 upgraded from Beta 11.2 (20D5042d) on iMac Late 2009 and Mid 2011."

Thank very much for your wonderful work 👍

 

[Titus imac]

Thanks for all the answers, I am a bit confused, I would like to buy a WX7100 GPU but I don't know if I will have many problems, I have been reading the users who have it installed but I think they have had to modify the GPU (physically soldering), someone can tell me if I can install wx7100 GPU in my Imac 27 ”mid 2011 i7 20gb ram 256 ssd? I just want to know if it's easy, if it's compatible with Big Sur and if I can enjoy Final Cut Pro X. Thanks.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

with pleasure


i have a iMac mi 2011 27" (it is not the one in my signature, it is another) with a Dell card WX4150 with vBIOS . I try your patcher and it seem work very well, the result is:


View attachment 1728069

Do you think I can do this update safely? I have read this : "OTA upgrade to 11.2 (20D64) using OC 0.6.6 upgraded from Beta 11.2 (20D5042d) on iMac Late 2009 and Mid 2011."

Thank very much for your wonderful work 👍

No Boot EFI:
Yes, you need to format the USB with disk utilities using MacOS Extended Journaled / GUID partitions map.

EDIT:
You can update, but you need to reboot after upgrade into the USB installer and apple the post install patching again.

Another painless way (you already managed it once) would be to download the full installer from Apple and create a new USB installer choosing the correct format... you just picked the wrong point in time with your first installation.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks for all the answers, I am a bit confused, I would like to buy a WX7100 GPU but I don't know if I will have many problems, I have been reading the users who have it installed but I think they have had to modify the GPU (physically soldering), someone can tell me if I can install wx7100 GPU in my Imac 27 ”mid 2011 i7 20gb ram 256 ssd? I just want to know if it's easy, if it's compatible with Big Sur and if I can enjoy Final Cut Pro X. Thanks.

Re read the section about the various AMD GPU on the first post. The WX7100 is as the WX4150 a hit and miss when buying. More than 50% do not run in the 2011 for unknown reasons although perfectly ok. Most are running in 2009/2010. Nobody has a glass ball and can see what card you will get.

The 2011 has most likely some firmware modifications blocking some AMD cards - not on purpose - just by accident, I assume.

If you find a single post about soldering on the GPU show it here. You must be really confused.

And the whole process it is not easy. Read the complete first post of the thread, starting with the first line.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

deleted

 

[Titus imac]

I think I'm going to buy GTX 880m for my imac 27 "mid 2011 intel i7, is it a good choice? I want to use with Macos Big sur, I can accept Catalina ... Where can I buy GTX 880m? Aliexpress sell a lot of Dell but I don't know if it will work well .

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I think I'm going to buy GTX 880m for my imac 27 "mid 2011 intel i7, is it a good choice? I want to use with Macos Big sur, I can accept Catalina ... Where can I buy GTX 880m? Aliexpress sell a lot of Dell but I don't know if it will work well .

Another secret only available on the first post, the performance section: Get there and check the metal benchmarks.

Apples Final Cut Pro X is based on - you already can guess it - metal.
The slowest and smallest AMD card outperforms the biggest and most expensive NVIDIA card on every metal benchmark.

This looks a little bit like buying a new (fast) car and making a decision mainly based on the size of the trunk. But you are in good company. Most users here do exactly the same and drive the prices for nearly 10 year old NVIDIA cards up. These cards have been used in there first live in gaming laptops until reaching clinical death.

 

[Titus imac]

Another secret only available on the first post, the performance section: Get there and check the metal benchmarks.

Apples Final Cut Pro X is based on - you already can guess it - metal.
The slowest and smallest AMD card outperforms the biggest and most expensive NVIDIA card on every metal benchmark.

This looks a little bit like buying a new (fast) car and making a decision mainly based on the size of the trunk. But you are in good company. Most users here do exactly the same and drive the prices for nearly 10 year old NVIDIA cards up. These cards have been used in there first live in gaming laptops until reaching clinical death.

Based on your criteria, what do you think my AMD GPU should be to buy? I have HD 6970M 2gb KO, I would like a GPU much superior to the HD6970m ... I only ask for stability and compatibility in Big Sur or Catalina ... please now I'm more lost ...