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

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
Also, I didn't heed the instructions to take photos of both sides of the card so I don't know what memory chips are on the card. Is there a way to tell from the nvflash program? Is there a way to tell by downloading and comparing the VBIOS rom files?

Even though I'm getting proficient in taking this thing apart, I'd rather not do it again if I don't have to!
 
ChrisCaro said:
Go to the open core legacy patcher github page. Good guide there. Read the first post. I would also reflash your card. I wouldn't trust any Bios for the K3100m besides the ones made by nikey22
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Be careful:

The guy who started to post working BIOS versions still sells on eBay preflashed cards (offered as GTX 675) which are basically K3100M cards with a working BIOS. I am pretty sure that this BIOS is as good (if not better) than the ones published here.

Just in case one wants to flash a new BIOS please on such a card, please save the old one. Otherwise there will be no way to return.
 
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i have a odd issue wit the macrumors website on my imac with K610m sometimes when i open this website it displays with weird artefacts. this only happens on the macrumors website.
 
Ausdauersportler said:
Be careful:

The guy who started to post working BIOS versions still sells on eBay preflashed cards (offered as GTX 675) which are basically K3100M cards with a working BIOS. I am pretty sure that this BIOS is as good (if not better) than the ones published here.

Just in case one wants to flash a new BIOS please on such a card, please save the old one. Otherwise there will be no way to return.
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I am also very interested to see how these bioses perform, and what advantages they perhaps have..
 
Opencore didn't help me. I got about 2/3 of the way through the boot process and it just hung.

I contacted the seller and they suggested I re-flash as well. They sent me the rom file and it appears to be the same one from here (AFR verson from nikey22)

re-flashed this morning and the system is back up. now I have to do the brightness control fix and figure out how to regulate the ODD fan since it MACS fan control doesn't see the GPU diode or the GPU heatsink. So what do you guys use? Right now it's running too damned fast!
 
Just a quick update: It seems that the mod for the HP WX4150 I proposed (to 'solve' the no POST problem) does not get along with 21.5' machines. I already reported about the weird sensor readings (and 'confused SMC') in the 2010 model. Today I unexpectedly had the opportunity to try the modded HP WX4150 in a 21.5' 2011 model. While there was no LED1 flash after connecting power, the machine did not POST. There was absolutely no reaction to the press of the power button - just LED1 remained solid green. I even did what I said I wouldn't do - I carefully removed U1301 IC - TMP431 temp. sensor (with marking TI72 DUFC). Sadly no cigar, the machine still would not POST.

The sensible solution for me would be to use Dell cards in 21.5' machines and use modded HP cards in 27' machines. (Luckily I can pair them up.) I hope I can stay sensible... ;) (I'll be away from these iMacs and won't do any additional tests for a few days.)
 

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unclemiltie said:
Opencore didn't help me. I got about 2/3 of the way through the boot process and it just hung.

I contacted the seller and they suggested I re-flash as well. They sent me the rom file and it appears to be the same one from here (AFR verson from nikey22)

re-flashed this morning and the system is back up. now I have to do the brightness control fix and figure out how to regulate the ODD fan since it MACS fan control doesn't see the GPU diode or the GPU heatsink. So what do you guys use? Right now it's running too damned fast!
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We guys made and read the first post of this thread where you would have found answers to every question you posted here before. The best mod you already missed - it would need to open the iMac again and pull the card out of it.
 
Ausdauersportler said:
We guys made and read the first post of this thread where you would have found answers to every question you posted here before. The best mod you already missed - it would need to open the iMac again and pull the card out of it.
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yea, I did read all of that stuff but didn't think to do the ODD temp sensor thing until after I buttoned it all back up. I might have to re-open the box (again) (this message coming to you from my now working again iMac!) Although I AM considering putting in an i7 CPU just for yucks. After I get the second iMac working, and then after that upgrading from High Sierra. How's Big Sur work on an i5 3.1Ghz and a K3100M?


What confuses me is that I get that the BIOS versions don't give you the internal GPU diode temp but what stops the sensor on the heat sink from showing up? That's a connection on the board is it not? One would think that would be there and I could have used that.

Right now I have it set on GPU PECI, whatever that is. Since it was related to the GPU I figured I'd use that. That's slowed down the fan considerably and the system is now nice and quiet.
 
Hello All, I understand this thread is mostly for 2011 models however the first post offers a pretty good guide for 11,2 models. Long story short, I own an 11,2 (21.5inch mid-2010 iMac with stock processor i3 3.06, and just baked for the first time my ATI HD 4670 (which is working pretty well so far... however I know this will only delay the inevitable, so I am looking for some opinions/ experiences installing the AMD WX4130 as it seems to be a popular option to make these computers "supported" again, however most of the information I have read so far here is regarding the 27" models, also I pages behind I read AMD cards works better on 2010 models but not sure if this has changed since then.

Besides the copper plate installation are there any other considerations or better GPU options for this computer?
 
unclemiltie said:
yea, I did read all of that stuff but didn't think to do the ODD temp sensor thing until after I buttoned it all back up. I might have to re-open the box (again) (this message coming to you from my now working again iMac!) Although I AM considering putting in an i7 CPU just for yucks. After I get the second iMac working, and then after that upgrading from High Sierra. How's Big Sur work on an i5 3.1Ghz and a K3100M?


What confuses me is that I get that the BIOS versions don't give you the internal GPU diode temp but what stops the sensor on the heat sink from showing up? That's a connection on the board is it not? One would think that would be there and I could have used that.

Right now I have it set on GPU PECI, whatever that is. Since it was related to the GPU I figured I'd use that. That's slowed down the fan considerably and the system is now nice and quiet.
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The Apple SMC does not respond on the other temp values, only the not working GPU diode and the ODD sensor. Pretty sure I wrote this down, too.

There are some software products like Macs Fan Control working in user land after login. We have no SMC patch available.
 
I should have been more clear, I am using Macs fan control and can't see the GPU heatsink or the diode (which I didn't expect to see)


I was pretty sure that the SMC wasn't going to work the way it should unless someone got in there and re-wrote the firmware which is probably (1) not possible and (2) not worth it.
 
unclemiltie said:
I should have been more clear, I am using Macs fan control and can't see the GPU heatsink or the diode (which I didn't expect to see)


I was pretty sure that the SMC wasn't going to work the way it should unless someone got in there and re-wrote the firmware which is probably (1) not possible and (2) not worth it.
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GPU heatsink temp should work, did you plug the cable from the heatsink into the logic board? If yes then perhaps it git damaged.
GPU PECI is the Intel graphics in the CPU.
 
abatista said:
Hello All, I understand this thread is mostly for 2011 models however the first post offers a pretty good guide for 11,2 models. Long story short, I own an 11,2 (21.5inch mid-2010 iMac with stock processor i3 3.06, and just baked for the first time my ATI HD 4670 (which is working pretty well so far... however I know this will only delay the inevitable, so I am looking for some opinions/ experiences installing the AMD WX4130 as it seems to be a popular option to make these computers "supported" again, however most of the information I have read so far here is regarding the 27" models, also I pages behind I read AMD cards works better on 2010 models but not sure if this has changed since then.

Besides the copper plate installation are there any other considerations or better GPU options for this computer?
Click to expand...
First of all, for better support from peers and developers in this forum , you are advised to put down your system configuration in your signature so that each time when you ask questions, people know what is your hardware starting point. 😊

Secondly, the answer you want to seek should mostly be covered in the first wiki post of this forum. Read thru them again and again, as we are not technical guys and often miss those apparently trivial points that could be essential for your own system.

The question of better or best can only be decided by yourself after gathering all the information you want to know, your technical savvy & skill, your budget, the GPU availability, your software application etc etc etc. There are so many variables that none can decide for you. I wish there is a dichotomous chart in the first post to guide everyone thru the maze of consideration and choice but it can never be comprehensive in view of the many different iMacs and GPU combination and personal need. Thus it won't happen. My current view is that when you want to invest on your 10+yrs old iMac, think of the M1 MacMini.
 
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unclemiltie said:
I thought I plugged it in. Now I'm wondering if I did or not. looks like I'm taking this thing apart again.
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To check one only has to remove the screen, if found to be disconnected with a bit of skill and tweezers one can reseat the cable it it is not snagged without removing the logic board.
 
Hi, I'm also trying with 780M card on the 27'' 2011 iMac. My 780M came with a gray X bracket on the back that seems to be glued on the card. The screws from the iMac 3-pipe heatsink are a bit bigger and can't fit trough the GPU. Is it safe to use heat to remove it? Do you guys recommend thermal paste or 3M thermal pads to attach it to the heatsink?
 

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Sw1tch said:
Hi, I'm also trying with 780M card on the 27'' 2011 iMac. My 780M came with a gray X bracket on the back that seems to be glued on the card. The screws from the iMac 3-pipe heatsink are a bit bigger and can't fit trough the GPU. Is it safe to use heat to remove it? Do you guys recommend thermal paste or 3M thermal pads to attach it to the heatsink?
Click to expand...
Check the very first post of this thread and the FAQ there. Everything you need you can find there.
 
OK, I indeed did not plug in the GPU heatsink sensor. Was able to plug it in without taking the board out, now it works, but my Bluetooth stopped working so I have no keyboard and mouse unless I plug in a USB one. But the WiFi works just fine. Looks like I'm taking the screen out again.

Edit: One more time, screen out, checked all cables to be seated and screen back in. Bluetooth works, Macs Fan Control set to start at startup and on GPU heatsink. hopefully that's the last time I'm taking this apart!


Using MACS fan control, what's a good range for the GPU heat sink temp? Right now doing mostly nothing it's at 47C and my CPU heat sink is at 35C.
 
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Hello! I would like to upgrade my iMac 10,1 to an Nvidia 770M I found on Amazon pulled out of an Alienware, but I would like to first know all of the following things:

- Will it work with OpenCore Legacy Patcher and Big Sur?
- Will it have NATIVE brightness control?
- Will it work like a metal capable GPU without need of acceleration patches?
- And lastly, will I need to flash it with a new VBIOS (I don't mind having to do so)
(Keep in mind this is the 3.06 GHz C2D Version!)

Thanks in advance for all the help,
Stefan
 
I have a question about these video cards. I have an extra card from an older Asus gaming laptop that I would like to try with my 2010 imac. The card is a Nvidia gtx 460m our of an old Asus G73sw ROG. I read that apple released some drivers for the gtx 400 series cards but some extra work had to be performed to get it to work. Can anyone tell me or lead me to some info?
 
Would this work on a Early 2009 24 inch iMac? I'm aware it wouldn't output to the internal LCD due to it being LVDS, but I was going to use an LVDS controller board internally and route the cable to the Mini DisplayPort port in the back through the memory door, therefor technically being a DisplayPort "external display" but outputting to the internal lvds display through the DisplayPort port on the back with the help of an LVDS controller board for conversion.

Would this work? I currently own a NVIDIA K3100M 4 GB flashed already with the bios, but I can reflash it with HP bios if it doesn't work with the modded vbios from this thread due to it being a core 2 duo
 
RustyBl0ck said:
Hello! I would like to upgrade my iMac 10,1 to an Nvidia 770M I found on Amazon pulled out of an Alienware, but I would like to first know all of the following things:

- Will it work with OpenCore Legacy Patcher and Big Sur?
- Will it have NATIVE brightness control?
- Will it work like a metal capable GPU without need of acceleration patches?
- And lastly, will I need to flash it with a new VBIOS (I don't mind having to do so)
(Keep in mind this is the 3.06 GHz C2D Version!)

Thanks in advance for all the help,
Stefan
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Read the very first post of this thread, you will get all information you need.
 
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