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

[FlorisVN]

OK, I need help. Installed the GTX780m that came from a Clevo laptop. iMac will boot up but internal screen does not work. I don't think the thunderbolt ports for external screen are working either but not sure. I have iMac working with screen share from another iMac also with an external USB monitor using display link. Where do I go from here? I have included 2 screen shots with information. Any way to edit Kext to allow non apple GPU to start up fully?

Clevo bios is not supported I think, flash a different compatible Dell bios to it like highvoltage12v also suggested !

https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios...=GTX+780M&interface=&memType=&memSize=&since=

I think Alienware should be your best choice here !

 

[highvoltage12v]

Make a windows 10 Legacy install on an SSD using a different computer than the iMac. Plug a monitor into the display port closest to the other ports. Hopefully displayport will work in Windows. Let it sit for 10 minutes and see if it boots. I will find the ROM later from Tech Power up that has the same revision on the Dell 780m. This is all done with the LCD off the iMac so the fans will run on High and the CPU will stay down clocked.

Here is the link to my VBIOS https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/142721/dell-gtx780m-4096-130418
If your display port doesn't work in Windows, you can do what I did when I broke my 770m ROM many times. You can set up a Team Viewer on that install before connecting it to the iMac, also enable automatic login. However you need to have networking sorted out on that drive (bootcamp ethernet drivers or Atheros WIFI) so you connect to it through another device and use NVFLash to flash the ROM.

 

[Sricca]

Make a windows 10 Legacy install on an SSD using a different computer than the iMac. Plug a monitor into the display port closest to the other ports. Hopefully displayport will work in Windows. Let it sit for 10 minutes and see if it boots. I will find the ROM later from Tech Power up that has the same revision on the Dell 780m. This is all done with the LCD off the iMac so the fans will run on High and the CPU will stay down clocked.

Not following you. Am I making this with boot camp ? I have another IMac. I also have parallels with Windows 10 on the IMac we are discussing. How do I make a Win 10 install ssd? Is the purpose to get Windows on machine to update v bios on card?

 

[highvoltage12v]

Not following you. Am I making this with boot camp ? I have another IMac. I also have parallels with Windows 10 on the IMac we are discussing. How do I make a Win 10 install ssd? Is the purpose to get Windows on machine to update v bios on card?

Yes this is all so you can flash the VBios to the card. What I said above is only necessary if you can't get video through Display Port out in Windows on the Clevo Vbios, @FlorisVN has said before that when he flashed his card to another rom he Had Displayport in Windows, so I'm hoping this is the case with your card as well. Yes If you feel like taking another iMac apart to do the install on that one please do, it will increase the chances of connecting to the network if you still have no video through DisplayPort and have to rely on a method such as team viewer. You do Not need Bootcamp to make the install. Just the bootcamp drivers such as Ethernet/Atheros WIFI. Your parallels install I don't think would have Direct access to the card itself just emulation.

Just Create a legacy Windows 10 install on to an SSD and move it to the iMac, let me know what happens.

 

[FlorisVN]

@highvoltage12v

Nope I have never changed vbios on my card.
display port output worked always within Bootcamp.
I still have not found a way to get my black screen bootcamp to fix.
it seems some user here posted in the past he got it working with his GTX765m by force installing the Nvidia drivers.
Unfortunately I have never have seen any instructions about how to do that...

I would suggest @Sricca to test the display port output, could be that bootcamp gives a signal !
if not, setup windows so that you can start it, and remote connect to it with teamviewer or RDP.
I have a premade winclone image of win7 pro, if wanted you can use my image and restore it within MacOS with Winclone.

it should work...

 

[highvoltage12v]

@highvoltage12v

Nope I have never changed vbios on my card.
display port output worked always within Bootcamp.
I still have not found a way to get my black screen bootcamp to fix.
it seems some user here posted in the past he got it working with his GTX765m by force installing the Nvidia drivers.
Unfortunately I have never have seen any instructions about how to do that...

I would suggest @Sricca to test the display port output, could be that bootcamp gives a signal !
if not, setup windows so that you can start it, and remote connect to it with teamviewer or RDP.
I have a premade winclone image of win7 pro, if wanted you can use my image and restore it within MacOS with Winclone.

it should work...

You're right it was someone else on this thread that has flashed many different bios'.

I have installed the K2000m in my 2010 21.5 iMac. Everything went flawlessly, I didn't have to modify the heatsink at all. Just drilled out the nuts on the x-bracket of the k2000m. If you're wondering about the CPU in the picture, it's a Xeon L3426. It's only a 45W TDP yet quad core/HT so it works in this iMac without tdp/post issues.

The early 2009 24" iMac Did not work at all with any other MXM cards (k2000m 6970m 6750m) I threw at it. None would recognize the internal LCD which is LVDS connected not EDP/DP so it explains the issues on that model. Display port did work and I had EFI screen through Display Port.

 

[Sricca]

Yes this is all so you can flash the VBios to the card. What I said above is only necessary if you can't get video through Display Port out in Windows on the Clevo Vbios, @FlorisVN has said before that when he flashed his card to another rom he Had Displayport in Windows, so I'm hoping this is the case with your card as well. Yes If you feel like taking another iMac apart to do the install on that one please do, it will increase the chances of connecting to the network if you still have no video through DisplayPort and have to rely on a method such as team viewer. You do Not need Bootcamp to make the install. Just the bootcamp drivers such as Ethernet/Atheros WIFI. Your parallels install I don't think would have Direct access to the card itself just emulation.

Just Create a legacy Windows 10 install on to an SSD and move it to the iMac, let me know what happens.

Thank you for all the info. Its much appreciated. I am setting up Windows on external ssd. If Windows is set up from another Mac and I install team viewer, Will the win OS be able to boot up in the iMac I am having an issue with? if I have no Video at all this may be a way for me to change Bios

 

[highvoltage12v]

Thank you for all the info. Its much appreciated. I am setting up Windows on external ssd. If Windows is set up from another Mac and I install team viewer, Will the win OS be able to boot up in the iMac I am having an issue with? if I have no Video at all this may be a way for me to change Bios

Yes the iMac will legacy boot when installed internally.
The SSD needs to be set up, have automatic login enabled, have networking (ethernet drivers/wifi logged into and rembered) working.

 

[Sricca]

Yes the iMac will legacy boot when installed internally.
The SSD needs to be set up, have automatic login enabled, have networking (ethernet drivers/wifi logged into and rembered) working.

OK here is the issue now. Where do I get a legacy IOS of windows 10? the ssd drive that I setup starts with the spinning win logo then I get the sideways frown reboot pc thing. I think the IOS I downloaded if for the newest win 10 version.

 

[highvoltage12v]

OK here is the issue now. Where do I get a legacy IOS of windows 10? the ssd drive that I setup starts with the spinning win logo then I get the sideways frown reboot pc thing. I think the IOS I downloaded if for the newest win 10 version.

It's all depends on what PC you are using to create the install. And how you boot the windowsw10 installer from the Flash drive. For instance on Dells you can set the bios to EFI mode or legacy/CSM mode. When choosing the flash drive from the boot menu it's usually just the drives name.

When booting the flash drive legacy, the installer then knows to make the SSD legacy.

 

[liquidtwitch]

You're right it was someone else on this thread that has flashed many different bios'.

That was probably me.

 

[highvoltage12v]

That was probably me.

Yes that makes sense, it was you! It was someone here who comments often.

 

[liquidtwitch]

Interesting article on the current state of Apple & Nvidia: https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...in-macos-and-thats-a-bad-sign-for-the-mac-pro

 

[Sricca]

It's all depends on what PC you are using to create the install. And how you boot the windowsw10 installer from the Flash drive. For instance on Dells you can set the bios to EFI mode or legacy/CSM mode. When choosing the flash drive from the boot menu it's usually just the drives name.

When booting the flash drive legacy, the installer then knows to make the SSD legacy.

Ok I succeded in creating an external SSD with windows 10 that works on my other iMac. It will automatically go into win 10 when you boot from it. I also installed Google remote desktop all to no avail. The iMac in question does not seem to want to work. Is there any GPU flash tool that I can use for OSX? I can remote into OSX from screen share on the iMac. I see an program called Zeus but it seems to not work correcty

 

[highvoltage12v]

Ok I succeded in creating an external SSD with windows 10 that works on my other iMac. It will automatically go into win 10 when you boot from it. I also installed Google remote desktop all to no avail. The iMac in question does not seem to want to work. Is there any GPU flash tool that I can use for OSX? I can remote into OSX from screen share on the iMac. I see an program called Zeus but it seems to not work correcty

Does your caps lock key light when pushed after being pushed for a few minutes? Did you try plugging the iMac directly into ethernet and seeing if it comes on the Network? Try swapping display ports on the iMac?
The next thing I have to recommend requires a CH341-A and an SOIC bios clip. I don't know if youryo capable of programming the bios using a Bios clip.

 

[passatgt]

Trying to install a k2000 into a 21.5 2011 iMac. This is how i mounted the heatsink:

I drilled the existing mounting bracket holes. I used a 3mm drill and drilled from the opposite side. Theres a threaded inset inside the bracket holes, which will fall out if you drill from the other side. You need to remove those, or counter sink the top side, because the existing screws will stick out and you won't be able to seat the card properly on the motherboard.

The blue thermal pads are 0.5mm thick. Sadly it was already cut into 1x1cm, so it won't cover the memory chips fully, but i think its fine. I also added some thermal paste to the two little chips on the side, not sure what it does but it touches the heatsink, so i guess it won't hurt. This works fine, system boots. I tested 1mm pads on the memory chips, but i think it works fine with 0.5mm.

On the back side i wanted to add some copper shims, however it creates a short i believe, because it won't boot. I removed it, its working fine now. Should i cut these copper plates in half and mount it that way? Or its not worth the trouble.

 

[Sricca]

Does your caps lock key light when pushed after being pushed for a few minutes? Did you try plugging the iMac directly into ethernet and seeing if it comes on the Network? Try swapping display ports on the iMac?
The next thing I have to recommend requires a CH341-A and an SOIC bios clip. I don't know if youryo capable of programming the bios using a Bios clip.

I gave up for now. The AMD GPU is back in. If someone have a PC with an open PCIE port can I put this card in to allow bios flash?

 

[highvoltage12v]

I gave up for now. The AMD GPU is back in. If someone have a PC with an open PCIE port can I put this card in to allow bios flash?

If the AMD GPU works (didn't know you had one working) make the windows install with the AMD card installed, and make sure networking remote desktop etc is working and then swap cards.

 

[Sricca]

If the AMD GPU works (didn't know you had one working) make the windows install with the AMD card installed, and make sure networking remote desktop etc is working and then swap cards.

Tried that. For some reason the Windows external ssd works on my Mac air but crashes on the IMac. Can't figure it out

 

[highvoltage12v]

Tried that. For some reason the Windows external ssd works on my Mac air but crashes on the IMac. Can't figure it out

It has to be internal. Where the Mac OS Sata drive sits. And do this with the LCD off to make things simpler.

 

[Alex227831]

I am thinking of upgrading my 2011 21.5" iMac. What is the highest card I can upgrade to in terms of power draw? I will also be upgrading the cpu to a i7 2600s. I would like to get one of the 9xxm cards but would it be safer and more stable to stick with graphics cards that have been in previous iMacs like the 7xxm and 8xxm?

 

[highvoltage12v]

I am thinking of upgrading my 2011 21.5" iMac. What is the highest card I can upgrade to in terms of power draw? I will also be upgrading the cpu to a i7 2600s. I would like to get one of the 9xxm cards but would it be safer and more stable to stick with graphics cards that have been in previous iMacs like the 7xxm and 8xxm?

The 21.5" iMac has power delivery problems to MXM-B cards such as the 770m (not sure about 765m, 770m in my 21.5, had to modify the bios) so I just recommend you to buy a k2000m which is still 12% faster than the 6770m. Everyone who has tried a 9XXm card had no success with the internal display and they require web drivers which we don't have.
[doublepost=1548187757][/doublepost]

Trying to install a k2000 into a 21.5 2011 iMac. This is how i mounted the heatsink:

View attachment 816789

I drilled the existing mounting bracket holes. I used a 3mm drill and drilled from the opposite side. Theres a threaded inset inside the bracket holes, which will fall out if you drill from the other side. You need to remove those, or counter sink the top side, because the existing screws will stick out and you won't be able to seat the card properly on the motherboard.

View attachment 816790

The blue thermal pads are 0.5mm thick. Sadly it was already cut into 1x1cm, so it won't cover the memory chips fully, but i think its fine. I also added some thermal paste to the two little chips on the side, not sure what it does but it touches the heatsink, so i guess it won't hurt. This works fine, system boots. I tested 1mm pads on the memory chips, but i think it works fine with 0.5mm.

On the back side i wanted to add some copper shims, however it creates a short i believe, because it won't boot. I removed it, its working fine now. Should i cut these copper plates in half and mount it that way? Or its not worth the trouble.

Great just also did my k2000m in my 2010 21.5" iMac. It was an easy swap no major modifications required. I used k5 Pro instead of thermal pads. It has the consistency of clay. Didn't think to do the backside though.

 

[Alex227831]

The 21.5" iMac has power delivery problems to MXM-B cards such as the 770m (not sure about 765m, 770m in my 21.5, had to modify the bios) so I just recommend you to buy a k2000m which is still 12% faster than the 6770m. Everyone who has tried a 9XXm card had no success with the internal display and they require web drivers which we don't have.
[doublepost=1548187757][/doublepost]
Great just also did my k2000m in my 2010 21.5" iMac. It was an easy swap no major modifications required. I used k5 Pro instead of thermal pads. It has the consistency of clay. Didn't think to do the backside though.

I would prefer to get more of a performance bump from the 6770m. The 765m has MXM-B and a TDP of 75wh which is the same as the 770m. Would a 760m or 850m work? Both have same or lower TDP as Quadro K2000m in case of 850m its 10whs lower.

 

[highvoltage12v]

I would prefer to get more of a performance bump from the 6770m. The 765m has MXM-B and a TDP of 75wh which is the same as the 770m. Would a 760m or 850m work? Both have same or lower TDP as Quadro K2000m in case of 850m its 10whs lower.

We only know of the k2000m, k3000m, 765m, 770m, and 780m. I would go with the 765m for the 21.5" if you *have* too.

 

[Alex227831]

We only know of the k2000m, k3000m, 765m, 770m, and 780m. I would go with the 765m for the 21.5" if you have too.

Ok, there are a few iMac 27" on here that where upgraded to the 765m but you did say the 21.5" had power delivery problems with the 770m, this would presumably affect the 765m as they are rated for the same power draw of 75w? You said in a post higher up that you have a 770m in your 21.5" what exactly happens when the power demand exceeds what the iMac can provide? I also cannot see why a 760m wouldn't work as both the 765m and 770m have never been used in official iMacs either, only 750m, 755m, 775m and 780m have been in offical iMacs.