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

[Roman78]

Is there a color-dept tool for Sierra? Somehow the one provided here

GitHub - passatgt/imac-color-depth-fix

Contribute to passatgt/imac-color-depth-fix development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

does not work on Sierra because it is missing ColorSync.Framework. I looked at several other Sierra and also El Capitan installation, it is just not there. Only on High Sierra and newer. I copied the folder from High Sierra on to Sierra, but, as aspected, i got another Error message.

Message without ColosSync.Framework

Error message with ColorSync.Framework

I installed xCode on here and opened the Source, but i cannot test/run/compile it. (i never used xCode, i more used to like Lazarus and Visual Studio)

 

[Umarx]

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.

Thanks!
I hear the chime, did PRAM but no screen even after good 5-7 minutes. Does it boot in Sierra or not
I will spend next 24hrs to just study the first page and its links for the 3rd time thoroughly.
Thanks again for being patient with me.

 

[wilma127]

You got a card with a new SOIC chip of correct size (2Mbit == 262KByte) and you may be able to flash it using a clip programmer and flashrom.

Since no one had the very same issue before you are likely on you own buying such a programmer, installing flashrom and experience success or failure.

...back again. So I got the CH341A Programmer, ran it with a Win7 Notebook and did the following:

1. tried to read the EEPROM of the HD 4890 first - succeeded
2. tried to program and verify the EEPROM of the HD 4890 - succeeded
3. got the GTX780m out of the iMac
4. tried to read the PMC PM25LD020 and backup the dump - suceeded
5. tried to program the 780M_BR3.rom - the GUI of the programmer counts up to 100% - so far so good
6. verified the Binaries with the varify-function - FAILED. Error: "Chip with the contents are in disagreement."
7. repeated the programming twice - no success.
8. downloaded and saved the binary once again and compared the HEX-Files with another HEX-editor myself: no differences to the original DELL Firmware.

Any suggestions why I'm unable to program this chip? Seems to me that it is locked somehow. Do I have any further options? Like e.g. buying a fresh PM25LD020 and replace it?

EDIT: I didn't use flashrom, but the CH341A Software recommended by @Roman78 in his blog (great work, Roman!). Is flashrom somehow capable to handle this problem?

 

[spacebiscuit]

It has arrived so looks like I am going in tomorrow night!

This is a 20g which seems to be more than enough for the VRAM of a single card.

From what I have read, don't be shy when apply this to the VRAM, yet a single drop of thermal paste spread on the GPU itself?

 

[Roman78]

...back again. So I got the CH431A Programmer, ran it with a Win7 Notebook and did the following:

1. tried to read the EEPROM of the HD 4890 first - succeeded
2. tried to program and verify the EEPROM of the HD 4890 - succeeded
3. got the GTX780m out of the iMac
4. tried to read the PMC PM25LD020 and backup the dump - suceeded
5. tried to program the 780M_BR3.rom - the GUI of the programmer counts up to 100% - so far so good
6. verified the Binaries with the varify-function - FAILED. Error: "Chip with the contents are in disagreement."
7. repeated the programming twice - no success.
8. downloaded and saved the binary once again and compared the HEX-Files with another HEX-editor myself: no differences to the original DELL Firmware.

Any suggestions why I'm unable to program this chip? Seems to me that it is locked somehow. Do I have any further options? Like e.g. buying a fresh PM25LD020 and replace it?

EDIT: I didn't use flashrom, but the CH431A Software recommended by @Roman78 in his blog (great work, Roman!). Is flashrom somehow capable to handle this problem?

Text some different Chip settings. Programming with the ch431a sometimes is a bit tricky.

 

[wilma127]

Text some different Chip settings. Programming with the ch431a sometimes is a bit tricky.

...you mean "try different chip settings"?

 

[Roman78]

Yes, im on a tablet with german dictionary. Autocorrect sucks somtines.

 

[wilma127]

Yes, im on a tablet with german dictionary. Autocorrect sucks somtines.

...feeling you. So like I go through the chip list and try different manufacturers with 256k memory?...is this about pin configuration and enabling write mode? This could take while...

 

[Ausdauersportler]

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.

The facts:

1. macOS from 10.8.2 until Big Sur includes graphics drivers for NVIDIA Kepler cards (these cards have been used in Apple hardware since 2012 until 2014). (We expect Kepler support to be dropped on the next major release.)
2. macOS from Sierra on including Big Sur includes graphics drivers for newer AMD polaris/ellesmere type cards - these are really cool because macOS offers HEVC, H.264, DRM support for this family, this is done by a software layer supporting only such newer cards.
3. NVIDIA released about 15 such Kepler MXM cards (all on the first post)
4. AMD released 5 such MXM cards (WX4130, WX4150, WX4170, RX480, WX7100)
5. after 2017 there have no new MXM graphics cards been released from AMD

All this is public knowledge and only a few klicks and searches away. The modification of the five AMD BIOS is much more easy when it comes to memory support. But more complex when one asks for EFI boot screen and since the MXM standard was a standard but companies tend to do enhancement to standards all the time some cards on the market are not compatible with all iMac models - in our case the 2011 is the problematic animal.

 

[poge1978]

Oi!

Eu tinha isso e tenho isso com meu último K3000M e meus únicos cartões K5000M em 2011, apenas. Ambos os cartões funcionam perfeitamente bem no meu sistema 2009/2010 com display interno conectado e uso. Mas eles apresentam os mesmos problemas que você requeru.

Conectar o cabo da tela a quente (nº 2) funciona - mas esta não é a solução para todos os dias

Tente retirar a placa novamente, conecte sem nenhuma placa e sem display interno conectado e faça 3-5 (três a cinco) reinicializações PRAM seguidas!

Em seguida, coloque a GPU em uma nova tentativa. Se isso falhar ...

BTW: Tenho certeza de que o 2010 é o iMac mai

thank you friend !
I did everything, and nothing worked!
when everything is connected the imac does not give the sign of life!
my k5100m card is one that has a small bios, and is not installed in the bios of the original post, so i will buy a bigger bios and try to install the modified bios, i hope the machine will come back to life on the main monitor.
thanks again

 

[KennyW]

Thanks!
I hear the chime, did PRAM but no screen even after good 5-7 minutes. Does it boot in Sierra or not
I will spend next 24hrs to just study the first page and its links for the 3rd time thoroughly.
Thanks again for being patient with me.

Read the 1st post for black screen on boot.

While graphic drivers for AMD cards are there in the OS since Sierra, you may suffer a black screen of death without the AppleGraphicControl.kext patch applied. Up to certain revision in High Sierra, it seems the bug requiring the injection of your iMac board ID isn't required. Using the Opencore in an SD for booting may be the easiest solution, though I am not too sure whether it would support all the way back to the old Sierra.

 

[Umarx]

Read the 1st post for black screen on boot.

While graphic drivers for AMD cards are there in the OS since Sierra, you may suffer a black screen of death without the AppleGraphicControl.kext patch applied. Up to certain revision in High Sierra, it seems the bug requiring the injection of your iMac board ID isn't required. Using the Opencore in an SD for booting may be the easiest solution, though I am not too sure whether it would support all the way back to the old Sierra.

Noted!

Which AGC will work for Sierra (10.12) as I don't see any under AMD users, also do I install it via linux USB (same way as vbios) or else as I did not find any clear go on page 1. Please bear with me asking these as I have black screen on inaccessible imac and I need to be sure of the process interacting with it. Most posts and page 1 sheds light on different more standard scenarios. Also there is no video of any AMD polaris card upgrade.

 

[KennyW]

Noted!

Which AGC will work for Sierra (10.12) as I don't see any under AMD users, also do I install it via linux USB (same way as vbios) or else as I did not find any clear go on page 1. Please bear with me asking these as I have black screen on inaccessible imac and I need to be sure of the process interacting with it. Most posts and page 1 sheds light on different more standard scenarios.

I have no idea on Sierra since I have been running High Sierra instead for quite some time before updating to Catalina and now Big Sur. The black screen happened with the some early versions of HS that can be solved by patching the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy.kext as described here:

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

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...

forums.macrumors.com

Only the version down to High Sierra 10.13 was listed but not Sierra.

In general, your GOP vBIOS flashed to your WX4130 would not give an internal display image until the OS graphic drivers are loaded late in the booting. However, you may be able to see the image in your external display connected to the your iMac miniDVI port.

In fact, you should update your Sierra to High Sierra BEFORE swapping your GPU so as to update your iMac BootROM to support the APFS booting, and later OS upgrade. That is a pre-requisite.

And you should read again 1. the short plan of the complete HW upgrade process, and 2. the how to upgrade your Mac OS on the metal capable iMac, to prepare yourself for all the USB thumb drives or extra external SSD for OS installation before you swap them into your iMac.

 

[Umarx]

I have no idea on Sierra since I have been running High Sierra instead for quite some time before updating to Catalina and now Big Sur. The black screen happened with the some early versions of HS that can be solved by patching the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy.kext as described here:

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

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...

forums.macrumors.com

Only the version down to High Sierra 10.13 was listed but not Sierra.

In general, your GOP vBIOS flashed to your WX4130 would not give an internal display image until the OS graphic drivers are loaded late in the booting. However, you may be able to see the image in your external display connected to the your iMac miniDVI port.

In fact, you should update your Sierra to High Sierra BEFORE swapping your GPU so as to update your iMac BootROM to support the APFS booting, and later OS upgrade. That is a pre-requisite.

And you should read again 1. the short plan of the complete HW upgrade process, and 2. the how to upgrade your Mac OS on the metal capable iMac, to prepare yourself for all the USB thumb drives or extra external SSD for OS installation before you swap them into your iMac.

I understand, external lightining display is not showing any signs in both ports, Keyboard is responsive, so is there a possibility to roll back wx4130 vbios (or no need) and have stock card 6970 put back in to upgrade and prepare. I have an identical additional imac, mini and mbp.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Noted!

Which AGC will work for Sierra (10.12) as I don't see any under AMD users, also do I install it via linux USB (same way as vbios) or else as I did not find any clear go on page 1. Please bear with me asking these as I have black screen on inaccessible imac and I need to be sure of the process interacting with it. Most posts and page 1 sheds light on different more standard scenarios. Also there is no video of any AMD polaris card upgrade.

Sorry to interrupt.

- Sierra works out of the box.
- the black screen issue is an NVIDIA only problem. I never install this patch on AMD systems.
- on page one there is a section about installing macOS and a section about Sierra, too. You just need to read it! There is even a link to an installer package including the AGC patch, which you do not need....

If your/an external screen is working than we can conclude the macOS has started properly. If you still have a black intern screen, than

- the inverter board may be broken
- the system board may have a defect (do you see a faint glow of the backlight in the dark or is it really black?)
- the display connector cable is broken
- no working vBIOS has been loaded
- card is broken
- card has been installed badly

If the first post is too long, too complex organised or if you believe to see contradicting recommendations please take notes while reading it. The whole process is complex and and cannot be described as a simple step by step. There are by far too many options (>5 macOS versions, ~ 20 cards, 5 iMac models makes approximately > 500 different possible configs).

 

[Umarx]

Sorry to interrupt.

- Sierra works out of the box.
- the black screen issue is an NVIDIA only problem. I never install this patch on AMD systems.
- on page one there is a section about installing macOS and a section about Sierra, too. You just need to read it! There is even a link to an installer package including the AGC patch, which you do not need....

If your/an external screen is working than we can conclude the macOS has started properly. If you still have a black intern screen, than

- the inverter board may be broken
- the system board may have a defect (do you see a faint glow of the backlight in the dark or is it really black?)
- the display connector cable is broken
- no working vBIOS has been loaded
- card is broken
- card has been installed badly

If the first post is too long, too complex organised or if you believe to see contradicting recommendations please take notes while reading it. The whole process is complex and and cannot be described as a simple step by step. There are by far too many options (>5 macOS versions, ~ 20 cards, 5 iMac models makes approximately > 500 different possible configs).

Thanks for Sierra tip, I just checked page 1 and AMD Polaris 10/20 support. But now the main and secondary display is totally black, however, the mac starts normally with no unusual fan speed and the keyboard (caps) responds. For the card WX4130 I inserted 1mm (15x15) copper and been very careful throughout the process.
All I can think of is looking for vbios again and try to redo that or I can check the display cable again and rest of the connections. There is hardly any info on AMD cards by the users and their experience and everyone is going after nvidia. Hope this works. Thanks again

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks for Sierra tip, I just check page 1 and AMD Polaris 10/20 support. But now the main and secondary display is totally black, however, the mac starts normally with no unusual fan speed and the keyboard (caps) responds. For the card WX4130 I inserted 1mm (15x15) copper and been very careful throughout the process.
I can check the display cable again and rest of the connections. Hope this works. Thanks again

Please try to use screen sharing to connect to your WX4130 system. You should always open your macOS during this process for remote connection (ssh login), file sharing and screen connection. This way you can check from another system if your macOS Sierra has started and what is not working properly.

 

[wilma127]

...feeling you. So like I go through the chip list and try different manufacturers with 256k memory?...is this about pin configuration and enabling write mode? This could take while...

...@Roman78 no changes after going through all chip-Settings in the CH341A Software. The datasheet of the chip (PM25LD020) clearly states, that there is a hardware write protection, which is disabled by setting Pin3 (WriteProtection# / WP#) high. I will measure if the CH341A does that. If it doesn't I will try to do it manually.

EDIT: I measured Voltage@Pin3: 3.3V, so that's high, not the problem. I measured the other pins and found

• a strange behaviour @Pin1: Chip enable: is high, when reading the chip is low -- all fine
  • but when hitting "program" goes 2,5V (no good zone) and after programming hits 4,3V (that's even deadly)

Note, that the chip setting of the CH341A is for PM25LV020, the next best setting, which is a 33MHz predecessor (PMLD020=100MHz), but the datasheet states no differences in programming both.

So I got now somehow very far into the topic but still no success.

 

[SteveCostello]

Well, after spending several cumulative hours reading Post 1 and the vast majority of the posts in this thread, I've decided the juice is just not worth the squeeze, since it would take what looks like another 10 hours if I was lucky to get a (hopefully maybe) working card installed. Which really ticks me off, honestly, that this computer that I spent a significant amount of money on (it's a nearly fully loaded mid-2011 i7) is suddenly rendered worthless by the failure of a single part of a single component. Making matter even worse, I had spent nearly $1,000 on memory and new SSDs that I installed before the iMac video card fail not even a year later.

Is any market at all for whatever bits and bobs I can part out? This includes all of the innards (excepting the SSDs), the SuperDrive, the CPU, the MXM-B heat sink, all fans, power supply, 24GB of RAM, the glass, and the big 27" LCD itself. All in perfect working order. Just hate to see it go to waste and into a landfill.

Before I go through the trouble of putting the stuff up on eBay, is there a market for this stuff here, or should I just take the entire pile to my local Mac store (MacHQ in St. Louis) fo recycling? I'm also willing to discuss private sale. DM me on Twitter, my handle is my name here.

It's important that I add this: this is NOT to minimize the incredible work this group has committed to in order to keep these fantastic machines running. Truly, this is a passion to be admired. You all have done AMAZING work! While I just simply do not have the time to go through the process, it is pretty amazing to see the hard work and time that has gone into this, and you all deserve SO many kudos!

 

[ChrisCaro]

Well, after spending several cumulative hours reading Post 1 and the vast majority of the posts in this thread, I've decided the juice is just not worth the squeeze, since it would take what looks like another 10 hours if I was lucky to get a (hopefully maybe) working card installed. Which really ticks me off, honestly, that this computer that I spent a significant amount of money on (it's a nearly fully loaded mid-2011 i7) is suddenly rendered worthless by the failure of a single part of a single component. Making matter even worse, I had spent nearly $1,000 on memory and new SSDs that I installed before the iMac video card fail not even a year later.

Is any market at all for whatever bits and bobs I can part out? This includes all of the innards (excepting the SSDs), the SuperDrive, the CPU, the MXM-B heat sink, all fans, power supply, 24GB of RAM, the glass, and the big 27" LCD itself. All in perfect working order. Just hate to see it go to waste and into a landfill.

Before I go through the trouble of putting the stuff up on eBay, is there a market for this stuff here, or should I just take the entire pile to my local Mac store (MacHQ in St. Louis) fo recycling? I'm also willing to discuss private sale. DM me on Twitter, my handle is my name here.

It's important that I add this: this is NOT to minimize the incredible work this group has committed to in order to keep these fantastic machines running. Truly, this is a passion to be admired. You all have done AMAZING work! While I just simply do not have the time to go through the process, it is pretty amazing to see the hard work and time that has gone into this, and you all deserve SO many kudos!

Sorry to hear this is your situation! There is a market for used parts, personally ive purchased and LCD, associated cables, ram, 3 pipe gpu heat sink.... You pricing points you could probably reference dedicated apple parts sellers on the internet. Spare iMac gpu's I've seen sold on this thread.

10hours is a bit much I think. I estimate maybe half that, if you are prepared. 1/4 that if you have done it a few times. There are many options and reports of troubleshooting, so I understand it can look overwhelming.

Watch this, as it's crystal clear and I hope makes the process less convoluted. I encourage you to not throw in the towel. The reality is we are working with 10yr old hardware and the original graphics cards in these machines are gaurenteed to fail due to known issue.

 

[globetribe]

Well, after spending several cumulative hours reading Post 1 and the vast majority of the posts in this thread, I've decided the juice is just not worth the squeeze, since it would take what looks like another 10 hours if I was lucky to get a (hopefully maybe) working card installed. Which really ticks me off, honestly, that this computer that I spent a significant amount of money on (it's a nearly fully loaded mid-2011 i7) is suddenly rendered worthless by the failure of a single part of a single component. Making matter even worse, I had spent nearly $1,000 on memory and new SSDs that I installed before the iMac video card fail not even a year later.

Is any market at all for whatever bits and bobs I can part out? This includes all of the innards (excepting the SSDs), the SuperDrive, the CPU, the MXM-B heat sink, all fans, power supply, 24GB of RAM, the glass, and the big 27" LCD itself. All in perfect working order. Just hate to see it go to waste and into a landfill.

Before I go through the trouble of putting the stuff up on eBay, is there a market for this stuff here, or should I just take the entire pile to my local Mac store (MacHQ in St. Louis) fo recycling? I'm also willing to discuss private sale. DM me on Twitter, my handle is my name here.

It's important that I add this: this is NOT to minimize the incredible work this group has committed to in order to keep these fantastic machines running. Truly, this is a passion to be admired. You all have done AMAZING work! While I just simply do not have the time to go through the process, it is pretty amazing to see the hard work and time that has gone into this, and you all deserve SO many kudos!

I strongly encourage you to perform the GPU Upgrade. Just did it last week with no particular knowledge, just patience, good tools ... and a proper card that does not require too much internal modification (I picked the WX4130 that just requires a silver plate between GPU chip and heat sink). Re-read carefully post #1 (again) which describes the procedure in full. It took me 2.5 hours for disassembly / reassembly and 1 hours for the software part. The investment worth it, you will not recognize you iMac.

Best,

 

[The_Croupier]

Is any market at all for whatever bits and bobs I can part out? This includes all of the innards (excepting the SSDs), the SuperDrive, the CPU, the MXM-B heat sink, all fans, power supply, 24GB of RAM, the glass, and the big 27" LCD itself. All in perfect working order. Just hate to see it go to waste and into a landfill.

You can try parting it out on eBay but I dare say it will take you months if not years to move it at the current ebay price's. Sell it as a whole unit for $200 bucks to a enthusiast like most people on this forum and they will slap a $100 card in it and get another few good years out of it.

Its a 10yr old machine dont expect to get anything close to what you paid for, I'd expect 5-10%

As a benchmark in the last month i bought 2, 2011's with faulty gpu/no display both i7's one with 16gn ram the other with 8, no HDD's and one with superdrive not working on Facebook Marketplace for $100 aud each about $70 usd.

People that are in the market for these old machines aren't stupid and will wait for these deals to show up.

Good luck.

 

[Umarx]

Read the 1st post for black screen on boot.

While graphic drivers for AMD cards are there in the OS since Sierra, you may suffer a black screen of death without the AppleGraphicControl.kext patch applied. Up to certain revision in High Sierra, it seems the bug requiring the injection of your iMac board ID isn't required. Using the Opencore in an SD for booting may be the easiest solution, though I am not too sure whether it would support all the way back to the old Sierra.

Thanks Kenny, are you sure about the AGC.kext needed for WX4130 as Ausdauersportler mentioned it is mainly for Nvidia cards and not AMD (in post13,268 above). Please let me know as I am in a limbo state, with black main and secondary screens and suspecting vbios injection did not go well. The iMac boots up and shows in lan router with ethernet plugged in at same IP as it was assigned. it stay on very normal and no heat up or fan speed fluctuation even after an hour. I cannot ssh due to remote login is off. Have read 1st page countless times. Is it possible to roll back and install the stock card to upgrade to HS and attempt this again. Need a direction to go further.

 

[Umarx]

Are these same ROMS or different for WX4130?

 

[Astrob1]

Hi!

Have been following this forum for some time and now I got finally into upgrading the GPU on my 2011 iMac. I have read through post #1 (I know people get angry when asking obvious questions that are on #1, lol).

However, I find it difficult to understand what are the supported k1100m cards. The table on post #1 is clear on many aspects but doesn't suggest the brand origin of the k1100m card (in order to have a working BIOS chip) or the memory to look for. For example, I found this on the BIOS topic for these (k1100m) cards:

"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."

What is a "new older" memory? So if I understand well I should read it like this: "K1100M cards with Hynix AFR, Hynix BFR or Elpida memory chips will have issues with the BIOS published (stay away from them)." To me it would be more interesting to know which memory chips do support the BIOS published.

In other words, I want a K1100M and I would love to know what are the specs that I should be looking for (brand origin, BIOS chip, memory chip).

Thx for the great work!