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

[jay508]

There is also an experimental K3100M_V3.rom in
Should work with AFR and BFR Hynix, maybe it's worth trying with Elpida memory...

Hi @nikey22 @m0bil
After testing, K3100M_V3.rom still has a flickering screen in this Elpida video memory k3100m. I tried many original vios of Dell HP's Clevo are fuzzing, only 80.04.0C.20.01-Nvidia everything is normal, Elpida video memory k3100m only matches 80.04.0C.20.01-Nvidia vbios, and other vbios cannot be displayed normally. no solution

 

[jay508]

Hello everyone,

I've been reworking the K3100M ROM and the related blackscreen issue/boot loop issue that some of you have been dealing with. As @Ausdauersportler mentioned, it could be related to an interaction between the bootrom and the efi driver. Apple added a security update, 2020-005 and then 2020-006 which could be breaking some compatibility at least in the IM12,2 (2011) generation, although they kept the same bootrom version after the 2020-006 update:
Bootrom: 87.0.0.0.0
SMC version: 1.72f2

I'm currently running my modded rom in a test machine (iMac 27", 2011, High Sierra 10.13.6)
It is working well, no black screen upon driver initialization now and login screen should be present upon reboots.
It survives a PRAM reset as well
I added this line to the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy.kext under the ConfigMap key:

<key>Mac-942B59F58194171B</key>
<string>none</string>

but I'm not sure it is necessary for High Sierra.

Anyhow, the results are very encouraging:
View attachment 1748221
If a few others who own a K3100M could test the ROM out on a 2011 machine (or other machines), I'd appreciate the feedback. As far as I can tell, it should work well with the -BFR and/or -AFR variants, but I could be wrong. I'll update the main K3100M rom page with the new ROM to keep our iMacs working "insanely great!"
Enjoy!

@ nikey22 Elpida video memory k3100m Test this rom can’t display the stray screen normally, model iMac 12.2 2011. Other versions of roms also can’t display the stray screen normally. This Elpida video memory is only 80.04.0C.20.01-Nvidia used on PC everything is normal

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

how is it possible you get more Ram than the 32Gb allowed. Is it working for real ?

Try 16GB SODIMM stick to see if the iMac recognize

 

[herrdude]

Try 16GB SODIMM stick to see if the iMac recognize

Isn't the maximum size of the SODIMM stick 8GB for this iMac?

 

[jay508]

Isn't the maximum size of the SODIMM stick 8GB for this iMac?

Maximum support 8G DDR3L 1866 * 4 32G, but it can only run at 1333 frequency

There is also a single DDR3L 2133 16G, but it does not support the light and does not turn on after testing

 

[Jforte]

I tried a nvidia k4100m with hinyx afr (300v) vram chips with the custom vbios from here, on a mid 27 2011 imac. It works only with external monitor, not working with internal lcd connected, it won’t boot at all...
Like the k3100m, Will someone work on another vbios for it?

 

[358]

Hello everyone,

I've been reworking the K3100M ROM and the related blackscreen issue/boot loop issue that some of you have been dealing with. As @Ausdauersportler mentioned, it could be related to an interaction between the bootrom and the efi driver. Apple added a security update, 2020-005 and then 2020-006 which could be breaking some compatibility at least in the IM12,2 (2011) generation, although they kept the same bootrom version after the 2020-006 update:
Bootrom: 87.0.0.0.0
SMC version: 1.72f2

I'm currently running my modded rom in a test machine (iMac 27", 2011, High Sierra 10.13.6)
It is working well, no black screen upon driver initialization now and login screen should be present upon reboots.
It survives a PRAM reset as well
I added this line to the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy.kext under the ConfigMap key:

<key>Mac-942B59F58194171B</key>
<string>none</string>

but I'm not sure it is necessary for High Sierra.

Anyhow, the results are very encouraging:
View attachment 1748221
If a few others who own a K3100M could test the ROM out on a 2011 machine (or other machines), I'd appreciate the feedback. As far as I can tell, it should work well with the -BFR and/or -AFR variants, but I could be wrong. I'll update the main K3100M rom page with the new ROM to keep our iMacs working "insanely great!"
Enjoy!

hi @nikey22

Thank you for all the awesome work bud.

I have k4100M (with your bios) in the same machine with 32MB of ram but the Valley benchmark is somewhat disappointing considering what you are getting from this k3100M. especially the minimum FPS result,

Is there a newer version? thanks man

 

[Ausdauersportler]

hi @nikey22

Thank you for all the awesome work bud.

I have k4100M (with your bios) in the same machine with 32MB of ram but the Valley benchmark is somewhat disappointing considering what you are getting from this k3100M. especially the minimum FPS result,

Is there a newer version? thanks man

You should take a look at the settings before comparing values. Check the first post and the performance section for details.

 

[Vruva]

Check the system support list on post #1 - you would be the second one to get it work in a core2duo system.

The only late 2009 iMac that is supported by the VBIOSes here is the 27" Core-i model, the iMac11,1 ; all other late 2009 models are iMac10,x .
The internal screen almost certainly won't work.
Anything but the latest EFI bootrom versions is unknown territory so the latest version is a must.

EDIT: As always you find all that information in the first post on this thread - so please excuse me for repeating that information here.

Thanks for the answers, I've been around for some time and doing this became kind of a routine,so I didn't realise the problem with the core2 as it is the 1st one that came in of it's kind. The 1st post is distilled knowledge and up to date, reading it, I got it to work on external monitor but couldn't get internal. Couldn't boot with opencore either as the mac doesn't react to alt for some reason.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks for the answers, I've been around for some time and doing this became kind of a routine,so I didn't realise the problem with the core2 as it is the 1st one that came in of it's kind. The 1st post is distilled knowledge and up to date, reading it, I got it to work on external monitor but couldn't get internal. Couldn't boot with opencore either as the mac doesn't react to alt for some reason.

You are still working on the core2duo 27 late 2009. Would you mind to add a short signature to your account with your current hardware and software.

Yes, the boot screen is a feature not working on core2duo, so alt/option would not work. I had disabled the internal disc and used an external USB connected one. So I could change the EFI partition of this disc using an 2nd iMac. To get a valid OC version I used the most recent version of OCLP and set the model to iMac10,1.

 

[braianbr]

** NVIDIA Quadro K3000M Mac Edition ROM **
Genuine Native Boot Screen & Brightness Control


View attachment 1666544
​

Preamble:
These cards are designed with a PCI legacy 2.3 architecture (2002). This is reflected in their roms which has led to some trouble developing a compatible rom for the iMac. My rom has a modest clock table boost as well. These workstation Quadro cards really boost well.

Pre-installation Requirements:
- iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) , model: A1312 (EMC 2429) Mac-942B59F58194171B (Test machine)
- BootROM: 87.0.0.0.0. Please use High Sierra to update your BootROM to latest version.
- Nvidia Quadro K3000M, GPU Variant: N14E-Q1-A2 Dell or HP
- Heatsink 3-pipe with appropriate clearance mods for the inductors


Post-installation Requirements:
Brightness Control Stepping Mod:
-Turn computer on, hold down Command(⌘)-R
-Choose Utilities > Terminal
-Enter:csrutil disable
-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

Caveats post-install/Bugs:
-16bit resolution glitch of UGA_DRAW_PROTOCOL - temporary solution: activate a sleep cycle
- WSON based bios chip. Clip rescue is not possible

Updates:
12-8-2020: detuned card to more reasonable clock speeds for better stability


Insanely Great!

View attachment 1665339 View attachment 1665498​

I bought a flashed Quadro K3000M on AliExpress. The models are for: Dell / HP / iMac and I choose obviously for iMac model, So I think it’s ready to work normally. Even with an flashed card will I need to do this? It’s for an iMac 27 2010. Thanks!

 

[358]

You should take a look at the settings before comparing values. Check the first post and the performance section for details.

after altering the settings the performance is within the range as suggested on page 1

​

I noticed the temp being displayed in top right 129 degrees Celsius, this not right, is it? did I perhaps not use enough thermal grease?​

yet in Fan Control there is no result.

 

[globetribe]

Maximum support 8G DDR3L 1866 * 4 32G, but it can only run at 1333 frequency

There is also a single DDR3L 2133 16G, but it does not support the light and does not turn on after testing

I am sure the question has been asked a zillion time but is there a bypass / workaround to give the beast more Ram and keep using it more years ?

 

[herrdude]

I am sure the question has been asked a zillion time but is there a bypass / workaround to give the beast more Ram and keep using it more years ?

32GB isn't enough???

 

[globetribe]

32GB isn't enough???

Now it is but I intend to keep my iMac for ever... like me it should be immortal 🤠

 

[Lady Titan]

let's have some fun? ))

 

[358]

after altering the settings the performance is within the range as suggested on page 1

View attachment 1761613

​

I noticed the temp being displayed in top right 129 degrees Celsius, this not right, is it? did I perhaps not use enough thermal grease?​

View attachment 1761615

yet in Fan Control there is no result.

View attachment 1761624

@nikey22 was the thumbs up relating to my comment "

I noticed the temp being displayed in top right 129 degrees Celsius, this not right, is it? did I perhaps not use enough thermal grease?" ?​

or was it a general thumbs up and I should ignore my suspicion?

 

[globetribe]

@nikey22 was the thumbs up relating to my comment "

I noticed the temp being displayed in top right 129 degrees Celsius, this not right, is it? did I perhaps not use enough thermal grease?" ?​

or was it a general thumbs up and I should ignore my suspicion?

do not trust this figure

 

[358]

do not trust this figure

i hear you buddy, but i have no other figures...

also on my Mac Pro 2013 i get 42 degrees during the same test...

both on big sur

 

[globetribe]

i hear you buddy, but i have no other figures...

also on my Mac Pro 2013 i get 42 degrees during the same test...

both on big sur

Unigine Valley temp problem is known issue. If you see GPU temperature on macfan you'r temp sensor should be working. If not there is a workaround explained on post #1 using ODD one instead.

 

[358]

Unigine Valley temp problem is known issue. If you see GPU temperature on macfan you'r temp sensor should be working. If not there is a workaround explained on post #1 using ODD one instead.

how do you list your macs at the bottom of your posts???

 

[358]

how do you list your macs at the bottom of your posts???

nevermind, i found it...lol

 

[358]

Unigine Valley temp problem is known issue. If you see GPU temperature on macfan you'r temp sensor should be working. If not there is a workaround explained on post #1 using ODD one instead.

sorry buddy but i just can't find this in #1 post, could you shoot me a link please

 

[globetribe]

post #10900 : https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-29251720

listed in the 7 common issues with unsupported MXM Cards.

 

[358]

post #10900 : https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-29251720

listed in the 7 common issues with unsupported MXM Cards.

thanks for that. in the post @Ausdauersportler attaches a photo of the heatsink with 2 Sensors!!! Mine only has one where does the other one connect to and what is it???