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

[Umarx]

Hi All,

Finally got myself WX4130 from Dell for 2011 i7 imac 27". Got the 1mm thick 15x15mm copper to go between, question though is I see after copper the only touching surface is the GPU to heatsink. do I need pads for other chips?

Secondly, is it possible to just plug it without copper or paste/pads, to see if it POSTs for few seconds (without display and HDD?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Martin Sanz]

If you read post 1 you will clearly see there is a Rom available for this card. If there is Rom you can flash it.

Some NVIDIA cards (K3000M, K610M, K1100M, K2100M, and K3100M) have new older Hynix AFR, newer Hynix BFR or Elpida memory chips (late production) and the BIOS published here does not work properly in any case, you may get white screen on boot or later under load

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi All,

Finally got myself WX4130 from Dell for 2011 i7 imac 27". Got the 1mm thick 15x15mm copper to go between, question though is I see after copper the only touching surface is the GPU to heatsink. do I need pads for other chips?

Secondly, is it possible to just plug it without copper or paste/pads, to see if it POSTs for few seconds (without display and HDD?

Thanks in advance.

First post, K5 pro.

 

[spacebiscuit]

Some NVIDIA cards (K3000M, K610M, K1100M, K2100M, and K3100M) have new older Hynix AFR, newer Hynix BFR or Elpida memory chips (late production) and the BIOS published here does not work properly in any case, you may get white screen on boot or later under load

My chip H5GC2H24BFR-T2C - so the BFR variant. I can only find posts about K3100M boards regarding this chip though...

 

[bluecrowHH]

Currently no atiflash version installed.

Just managed to copy the tool amdvbflash onto the image into the folder flash and can confirm it boots my 2011 system and finds the WX4170 card installed. The tool reads the currently installed image and I compared it using diff with @Nick [D]vB WX4150_GOP.rom. No differences found. So it works

I will not write this BIOS, now
Edit 05/24/2020: Recently I wrote some experimental VBIOS versions to different AMD cards and I can confirm that this software and my guide here is working for writing a VBIOS.

A short guide (my iMac booted with Linux got the IP 192.168.19.133, you have to change this reflecting your router settings):

me@iMac27 ~ % ssh root@192.168.19.133
The authenticity of host '192.168.19.133 (192.168.19.133)' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:LqLVg3yjaTAaGLDu5keoIvTl9Xvoa2LRmUO8ZvpOxt4.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes
Warning: Permanently added '192.168.19.133' (ECDSA) to the list of known hosts.
root@192.168.19.133's password:
Linux grml 4.19.0-1-grml-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.19.8-1+grml.1 (2018-12-11) x86_64
Grml - Linux for geeks
root@grml ~ # cd /lib/live/mount/medium/flash
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ./amdvbflash -i     
AMDVBFLASH version 4.69, Copyright (c) 2020 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
adapter seg  bn dn dID       asic           flash      romsize test    bios p/n
======= ==== == == ==== =============== ============== ======= ==== ================
   0    0000 01 00 67E8 Polaris11       GD25Q41B         80000 pass 113-L10991-101
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash #  ./amdvbflash -s 0 /root/ORIG.rom
AMDVBFLASH version 4.69, Copyright (c) 2020 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
0x80000 bytes saved, checksum = 0x8EE9
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ./amdvbflash -s 0 /root/ORIG2.rom
AMDVBFLASH version 4.69, Copyright (c) 2020 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
0x80000 bytes saved, checksum = 0x8EE9
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # diff /root/ORIG.rom /root/ORIG2.rom
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ls -al /root/ORIG.rom
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 524288 May 10 20:07 /root/ORIG.rom
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ./amdvbflash -p 0 AMD_GOP/WX4150_GOP.ROM

The last command will write the file WX4150_GOP.ROM stored in subfolder AMD_GOP to the card listed with number 0.

Sometimes the tool complains about the fact that the existing BIOS may be newer then the one you want to flash. You can force the write using this -f flag:

root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ./amdvbflash -f -p 0 AMD_GOP/WX4150_GOP.ROM

To check your efforts your may read the written or original BIOS a second time and do the diff, again.

root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ./amdvbflash -s 0 /root/NEW.rom
AMDVBFLASH version 4.69, Copyright (c) 2020 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
0x80000 bytes saved, checksum = 0x8EE9
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # diff /root/NEW.rom AMD_GOP/WX4150_GOP.ROM
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash #

Finally you can get the saved old image from the booted Linux system opening a second Terminal window on your machine entering this command:

me@iMac27 ~ % scp root@192.168.19.133:/root/ORIG.rom .

Hope this helps.

You have to get the latest version of amdvbflash from the link a above and you place both files using the Finder in the flash subfolder on your USB stick (my is called flash from an unknown reason, too) as shown in the attached picture.

Creating and using a new Linux flash stick has been described in the original post linked on page one and post #1 of this thread. Please use the msdos aka FAT files system on the USB memory stick! Otherwise it will not be bootable on every iMac.

Hey i still have some questions. Is it possible to SSH to Imac via Imac? For flashign the gpu: I have to choose one Rom yes? Either Rx560 or wx4130 for example, right?
Thank you!

 

[m0bil]

Latest Nvidia GeForce Drivers working on UEFI Windows 10​

While testing my 780M card on Windows 10, I noticed Nvidia decided to drop support for Mobile GeForce cards after driver version 425.31 (dated april 2019), which is the latest version you can download and install from Nvidia website. Any newer version will tell you no compatible hardware is found and refuse to install.
The problem is many modern apps and games require version 440+ or Vulkan support on the driver.

More modern GeForce cards have seen driver updates until recently (January 2021).

It turns out you can modify these modern GeForce drivers to work on mobile GeForce cards. It requires modding the installer files (.inf), manually updating the driver and a special install procedure to allow unsigned drivers installation. It also seems every 6 months updates from Microsoft may remove unsigned drivers install (to be verified).

Its not an easy procedure, but if anyone is interested I'll try to create a manual on how I managed to install version 461.40 (Jan 2021) of GeForce drivers that works great on my 780M with @nikey22 ._BR3 vbios.

 

[Streetgamer010]

Hello, I'm new here. I installed a K1100M in my 2010 iMac. unfortunately I only read the forum afterwards. I read out the graphics card with GPU-Z (Bootcamp) Windows and found that Elpida built in memory. is there now a suitable BIOS?

 

[Umarx]

First post, K5 pro.

Thanks!

Installed and assembled, getting 1st 2 lights on the diagnostic, does it mean it passed the POST?

 

[poge1978]

i have a 2011 imac 27 inch a1312.

bought a nvidia Quadro K5100 8gb card
without the main monitor the imac turns on and works 100%, but when the main monitor is plugged in, the imac dies, it doesn't just turn on the fan for a second and turn it off.

I already changed the flat cable to the connector and even so when I connect the main power cable the imac dies.

this could be a bios or cms problem or it was my motherboard that burned the connection with the video card, remembering that the imac works normally with an external monitor.

note the test leds turn on 1 and 2

in the photo there are the connections that I mentioned when I connect the two with the card plugged in, the imac does not turn on, when I remove the 1 or 2 the iMac turns on with an external monitor

thanks

 

[eablokker]

You really use the Radeon 6770M? Okay, there is no way for me to test it with this card and honestly it is not meant to use it with it.

No, sorry, I'm using k2100m. Haven't updated my signature yet. 😁

 

[Ausdauersportler]

i have a 2011 imac 27 inch a1312.

bought a nvidia Quadro K5100 8gb card
without the main monitor the imac turns on and works 100%, but when the main monitor is plugged in, the imac dies, it doesn't just turn on the fan for a second and turn it off.

I already changed the flat cable to the connector and even so when I connect the main power cable the imac dies.

this could be a bios or cms problem or it was my motherboard that burned the connection with the video card, remembering that the imac works normally with an external monitor.

note the test leds turn on 1 and 2

in the photo there are the connections that I mentioned when I connect the two with the card plugged in, the imac does not turn on, when I remove the 1 or 2 the iMac turns on with an external monitor

thanks
View attachment 1741904

Hi!

I had this and have this with my last K3000M and my only K5000M cards in the 2011, only. Both cards work absolutely fine in my 2009/2010 system with internal display connected and in use. But they show the same problems as you described.

Hot plugging the display cable (#2) works - but this is not solution for every day

Try to get the card out again, start without any card and without the internal display connected and do 3-5 (three to five) PRAM resets in a row!

Then put the GPU in an retry. If this fails.....

BTW: I am sure the 2010 is the most compatible iMac here, we should rename the thread

 

[spacebiscuit]

In advance - apologies if this is a dumb question - but the list of Nvidia cards are all listed at bootscreen : yes natively. What does this mean - that the machine will POST and the Apple logo should be seen. Is the requirement to flash the rom just to get the brightness control? Please don't shout

 

[herrdude]

In advance - apologies if this is a dumb question - but the list of Nvidia cards are all listed at bootscreen : yes natively. What does this mean - that the machine will POST and the Apple logo should be seen. Is the requirement to flash the rom just to get the brightness control? Please don't shout

You got the order backwards. You have to flash the rom in order to get the boot screen (well in fact so that the iMac will recognize the card). Having the boot screen means you don't have to sit there wondering what your computer is doing while it boots since you will see the Apple logo. Also, flashing the rom (for some cards) will allow you to have brightness control.

 

[KennyW]

Hi All,

Finally got myself WX4130 from Dell for 2011 i7 imac 27". Got the 1mm thick 15x15mm copper to go between, question though is I see after copper the only touching surface is the GPU to heatsink. do I need pads for other chips?

Secondly, is it possible to just plug it without copper or paste/pads, to see if it POSTs for few seconds (without display and HDD?

Thanks in advance.

You need K5 Pro for the VRAM as the others mention. It is what Apple used also for their AMD cards.

You risk frying your GPU without the copper plate or paste. Be warned even if just for the short testing.

 

[KennyW]

Hey i still have some questions. Is it possible to SSH to Imac via Imac? For flashign the gpu: I have to choose one Rom yes? Either Rx560 or wx4130 for example, right?
Thank you!

You can SSH to your iMac from any other computers in the same network, be it an iMac or PC.

Just choose the 2G version of the RX560 ROM will do.

 

[Umarx]

I am a first-timer for using Linux this way, so apologies. What am I doing wrong? Or is there any other better way of doing this? Please help

 

[ChrizLoud]

I am a first-timer for using Linux this way, so apologies. What am I doing wrong? Or is there any other better way of doing this? Please help

Please take a look at the supplied README file in the USB-installer package and you will understand.

 

[Umarx]

Please take a look at the supplied README file in the USB-installer package and you will understand.

I am doing it with USB linux boot. Will the imac boot and give external display if I connect back the startup SSD or HDD?

Want to do this in order to follow the readme instructions to dump existing vbios first and rest. OR will the instructions work with the same linux USB boot?

imac 27 (2011) updating to AMD WX4130 (DELL)

 

[rmd79]

I am a first-timer for using Linux this way, so apologies. What am I doing wrong? Or is there any other better way of doing this? Please help

Try something like this:

./amdvbflash -p "'Dell RX 560 2GB.ROM'"

The ./ at the start and the quotes are necessary. If you wanted to save yourself some trouble with the quotes, you could rename the file to something more sensible (e.g no ' 's in the filename, underscores (_) instead of spaces). Note also that Linux is case-sensitive.

 

[Umarx]

Try something like this:

./amdvbflash -p "'Dell RX 560 2GB.ROM'"

The ./ at the start and the quotes are necessary. If you wanted to save yourself some trouble with the quotes, you could rename the file to something more sensible (e.g no ' 's in the filename, underscores (_) instead of spaces). Note also that Linux is case-sensitive.

Thanks a lot, tried this but why does it say 4GB but the file says 2GB... I restarted the imac with Linux USB but still black screen. Please help

 

[internetzel]

Thanks a lot, tried this but why does it say 4GB but the file says 2GB... I restarted the imac with Linux USB but still black screen. Please help

It says 4GB because that string hasn't been changed for the 2GB version - nevertheless only the 2GB file will work on the WX4130.

You will only get a boot screen when using OpenCore for booting, like "Catalina Loader" and OCLP for example.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Try something like this:

./amdvbflash -p "'Dell RX 560 2GB.ROM'"

The ./ at the start and the quotes are necessary. If you wanted to save yourself some trouble with the quotes, you could rename the file to something more sensible (e.g no ' 's in the filename, underscores (_) instead of spaces). Note also that Linux is case-sensitive.

Just rename the file in advance on the USB flash utility in Finder before starting and get rid to all the white space. Live can be really complicated....

Change it to Dell_RX_560_2GB.ROM

 

[Umarx]

It says 4GB because that string hasn't been changed for the 2GB version - nevertheless only the 2GB file will work on the WX4130.

You will only get a boot screen when using OpenCore for booting, like "Catalina Loader" and OCLP for example.

Thanks a lot for helping me out!

My concern at the moment is, I took the 2GB file as shown (attached) from the zip having both files, then why does the New/Old Product Name is shown as 4GB "New Product Name: Dell/Compal Crane 15 BaffinM GL Pro A1 GDDR5 4GB 300e/300m" (attached).

I am worried as I plugged in my drives and turned iMac on, no screen after a while. I still don't know if the card works/POST or no (Still getting 2 lights on diagnostics with screen connected). I can look into installing Opencore but wanted to get some indication that so far it is all ok. I am trying to be careful as much as possible. Excuse my novice to this. Forgot to mention my system is Sierra.

 

[SPNarwhal]

It will be more easy if you start to read instead of le us writing it all again. Some NVIDIA and AMD card may work with the PC vBIOS, but mostly showing the seven problems. Check the first post, please! It is not that long.

lol I'm not sure why you're responding to my message that was to someone else. I was asking what they meant by their message, but can't seem to find any mention of their message on the first post as you mentioned. 🧐

Anywho. I did read the first post. I see that the newly explored AMDs used are more modern but have random issues even if it's the same chip but a different revision. I don't really see any answers for why NVIDEA is/was more focused on in terms of community unofficial support. I suppose you answered me though; I didn't know that it's impossible to use absolutely any older AMD chip and update to something higher than High Sierra. Strange that no AMD chips offer acceleration. Wouldn't have guessed that.

 

[internetzel]

Thanks a lot for helping me out!

My concern at the moment is, I took the 2GB file as shown (attached) from the zip having both files, then why does the New/Old Product Name is shown as 4GB "New Product Name: Dell/Compal Crane 15 BaffinM GL Pro A1 GDDR5 4GB 300e/300m" (attached).

I am worried as I plugged in my drives and turned iMac on, no screen after a while. I still don't know if the card works/POST or no (Still getting 2 lights on diagnostics with screen connected). I can look into installing Opencore but wanted to get some indication that so far it is all ok. I am trying to be careful as much as possible. Excuse my novice to this.

That's the text string I was referring to:New Product Name: Dell/Compal Crane 15 BaffinM GL Pro A1 GDDR5 4GB 300e/300m
It's identical in both the 2GB and the 4GB VBIOS, but that string doesn't have any meaning and could be changed to anything without affecting the behaviour of the VBIOS itself. I saw quite a few original VBIOSes that contained wrong or misleading information in that string.

If you can hear the boot chime then the POST was successful. Maybe you need to reset NVRAM/PRAM in order to hear it in case you had turned off the volume the last time you had booted into macOS.
But let me tell you that you absolutely have to acquire the needed knowledge and skills in order to be able to handle your modded system - that means to study the first post, to use an internet search engine in case you don't understand something written there and last but not least a lot of training.