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

[Ausdauersportler]

Just use the last version of macOS that will work with your 2011 iMac.

Consider replacing your 1 decade old Mac with a 2021/2022 iMac with Apple silicon

Yes, we have a second world with endless resources hidden in our back yard. Consider if you really need a new computer at all.
Most time a computer is idle, sitting around waiting for the next key stroke to come up draining power from the grid.

 

[TigerA]

So.. i’m in trouble, i mean in this days of testing my iMac i always used for a very short time.. but since yesterday i’ve noticed after 30/40 min of activity.. everything i do (Safari, play video, email), the Finder disappear and i can’t do nothing only turn off physically rear button. And when i try to turn on… nothing happen, i have to plug off power cord and wait some minutes then try again, sometimes work sometimes i have to wait more. So last night when i wrote you to install catalina..i was desperate and so i did! New usb pen with Catalina e OCPL… boot from usb start ok, when i selected disk utility..i cannot format ssd.. i mean everything it’s work but i press format and nothing happens.. so first i removed every partitions and after i can able to format… and now?? The surprise was that when i have to choose the disk where install macos… the ssd is unavaiable! It’s darkened like usb..
And now??
Sorry for long threads.. i try to explain the best i can.. and i’m Italian, my language is inaccurate.

Did you install the heatsink correctly, meaning grinding down the 2 spots and applied adequate thermal paste on the GPU? The issue may be caused by overheating if not installed correctly and couldn't be picked up by the MFC because the GPU / ODD temperature sensors would have provided a low reading whilst the GPU was actually very hot.
Where is that SSD in question, external via USB, or internal?
Not a good idea to go back to Catalina. Stay on OCLP Big Sur.

 

[Adarna]

Yes, we have a second world with endless resources hidden in our back yard. Consider if you really need a new computer at all.
Most time a computer is idle, sitting around waiting for the next key stroke to come up draining power from the grid.

If you want to zero out your carbon footprint then end the carbon footprint generator.

I wouldn't use any device that does not receive further Security Updates unless your personal data is worthless.

Replacing a 120 month old device is very reasonable. That's the product life of macOS & winOS

 

[antoniomac]

Hi, I need some clarification
I installed the K2100 in my 2010 iMac but I could not flash because I have problems with the network card
OSX is run the same and reads me the video card as well not by Nick
The video card is not flashed but it works

I noticed these lines (see photo)
They have me to install OCLP but I think I should flash first
What do I do?
Thank you for your time

 

[Adarna]

Hi, I need some clarification
I installed the K2100 in my 2010 iMac but I could not flash because I have problems with the network card
OSX is run the same and reads me the video card as well not by Nick
The video card is not flashed but it works

View attachment 1915188

I noticed these lines (see photo)
They have me to install OCLP but I think I should flash first
What do I do?
Thank you for your time

View attachment 1915200

Looks like a hardware failure. Your iMac is more than 11yo. I'd buy a 2021 iMac 24" or 2022 iMac 32"

 

[Painkiller]

If you want to zero out your carbon footprint then end the carbon footprint generator.

I wouldn't use any device that does not receive further Security Updates unless your personal data is worthless.

Replacing a 120 month old device is very reasonable. That's the product life of macOS & winOS

That’s why I keep the hardware always up to date to get the latest updates in my system. It’s still possible after 11 years. In my case at least.

 

[nick0k]

Did you install the heatsink correctly, meaning grinding down the 2 spots and applied adequate thermal paste on the GPU? The issue may be caused by overheating if not installed correctly and couldn't be picked up by the MFC because the GPU / ODD temperature sensors would have provided a low reading whilst the GPU was actually very hot.
Where is that SSD in question, external via USB, or internal?
Not a good idea to go back to Catalina. Stay on OCLP Big Sur.

yeah i'm sure. SSD is internal, is the only disk...meanwhile this morning.. to complicate my life I tried to install Monterey, after post install patch for now seems to working..

 

[internetzel]

Of course! my iMac too but with the help of aan multi adapter to VGA, HDMI or DVI. But it only works with the VGA.
The thing is that the answer was pretty simple..... Just try another type of connection for the monitor.

My miniDP to DVI adaptor (+ a DVI cable) does not use external power and it works well on my iMac12,2 with K3100M: just tested again now. And only one external miniDP port works, which is the one closer to the USB ports.

"Active" doesn't mean that the adapter has its own power supply but that it actively translates between HDMI/DVI and DisplayPort (signal levels and maybe communication protocol).
Passive adapters rely on the graphics card (including VBIOS/drivers) and/or display providing compatibility modes.

 

[m5Computing]

Experimental AMD M5100 / W5170M 2GB support (AMD Radeon R9 M375 2GB)

This card has been produced in many variants, currently I know of at least three different types and ident strings:

Type	ident	BIOS version	device-id	working
Green AMD PCB	109-C93157-00A_03	W5170M	6820	yes
Blue AMD PCB	109-C42271-01_02	W5170M	6820	most likely
Red DELL PCB	109-C42241-01_02	M5100-DELL	6821	yes

Sometimes this card will be advertised as AMD W5170M 2GB version (AMD re-branding). This will be the Green card.

Important:
Use the W5170M vBIOS for both the green and blue card!
Use the M5100-DELL vBIOS for the red Dell card, only!

After installing the card it will not simply boot directly into any macOS version (WindowServer crash) unless you install and use OpenCore and apply the settings described below (I will try to get the changes added to OCLP, later).

So you need to install OpenCore onto your boot disk before booting in your current installation in normal multi user mode.

Run OLCP to create an AMD (metal) config and add the lines starting with the <key>rebuild-device-tree</key> into the DeviceProperties section (this is an iMac12,2 example):

                        <key>PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x1,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0)</key>
                        <dict>
                                <key>shikigva</key>
                                <integer>80</integer>
                                <key>unfairgva</key>
                                <integer>1</integer>
                                <key>rebuild-device-tree</key>
                                <integer>1</integer>
                                <key>agdpmod</key>
                                <string>pikera</string>
                                <key>CAIL,CAIL_DisableDrmdmaPowerGating</key>
                                <data>AQAAAA==</data>
                                <key>CAIL,CAIL_DisableGfxCGPowerGating</key>
                                <data>AQAAAA==</data>
                                <key>CAIL,CAIL_DisableUVDPowerGating</key>
                                <data>AQAAAA==</data>
                                <key>CAIL,CAIL_DisableVCEPowerGating</key>
                                <data>AQAAAA==</data>
                        </dict>

These settings are equivalent with adding radpg=15 -wegtree apdpmod=pikera shikigva=80 to the boot-args in the config.plist of OpenCore.

This GPU type has been used in 2015 15" MacBookPro models.

Tested systems:
- iMac12,2: sleep/wake broken
- iMac12,1: not tested
- iMac11,1: no problems
- iMac11,2: green AMD card has SMBUS problem, some temp sensor readings are weird, card needs a mod, red Dell card works fine!
- iMac11,3: no problems

Known issues:
- external display sync is difficult on all systems and needs the main LCD or the system to go to display sleep once after connecting the external display

Known features:
- Airplay is working until Catalina as with any other AMD metal card on iMac11,x and iMac12,2 (without using QuickSync)
- high metal scores
- boot screen with OpenCore
- brightness control working
- GPU power management working
- needs Sierra or better (AMD support)
- still full Monterey B9 support (no root patching needed unlike Kepler)

Performance:
- GeekBench Metal and OpenCL: > 10.000
- Valley AMD: 18.6 FPS, 778 Score
- Valley DELL: 23.46 FPS, 981 Score
- MetalBench: 31 MRays/s
- CoreClock: 300 MHz idle - 850 MHz max
- MemoryClock: 150 MHz idle - 1125 MHz max
- PowerDraw: 5W idle - 35W max

Warnings:
- do not use this vBIOS on the Red DELL card, it will cause a bad flash and will make the card unusable
- do not flash the vBIOS from the DELL card onto the other two cards, it will cause a bad flash and will make the card unusable
- a bad flash prevents the iMac from booting and running the Linux flash utility, again!
- bad flashes can only be cured by using a clip or some other nasty tricks

News:
- OCLP 0.3.1 and later support this card. So you can update OC using OCLP in future. Nevertheless the boot strap process is complex since you cannot boot the normal macOS unless OC has been installed in advance!

I recently picked up an R9 M375X "Green AMD Card" to try to revive a dead 2009 iMac 2.66GHz Core i5 (iMac11,1). I installed a new SSD and installed open core. At that point the internal display did not work but I was able to boot into Windows. Mac OS would log in but immediately crash an send me back to the login screen, even in safe mode.

I then booted to Windows and flashed the card with this bios file. The internal display now works! I'm able to boot into Windows and everything is working great there. I can even do some light gaming on the system which is amazing!

However, when I try to boot into Mac OS Mojave, Catalina, or Big Sur I just get a Yellow Screen with the cursor after the graphics drivers load. Is there anything I can do to resolve this issue? I also have several other iMacs from 2009-2011 that I can test in if that may be useful.

 

[antoniomac]

Hi, I need some clarification
I installed the K2100 in my 2010 iMac but I could not flash because I have problems with the network card
OSX is run the same and reads me the video card as well not by Nick
The video card is not flashed but it works

View attachment 1915188

I noticed these lines (see photo)
They have me to install OCLP but I think I should flash first
What do I do?
Thank you for your time

View attachment 1915200

Other problem
When I reboot the system and click the option key, the startup disk screen does not come out
Can I solve?
Thank you very much

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I recently picked up an R9 M375X "Green AMD Card" to try to revive a dead 2009 iMac 2.66GHz Core i5 (iMac11,1). I installed a new SSD and installed open core. At that point the internal display did not work but I was able to boot into Windows. Mac OS would log in but immediately crash an send me back to the login screen, even in safe mode.

I then booted to Windows and flashed the card with this bios file. The internal display now works! I'm able to boot into Windows and everything is working great there. I can even do some light gaming on the system which is amazing!

However, when I try to boot into Mac OS Mojave, Catalina, or Big Sur I just get a Yellow Screen with the cursor after the graphics drivers load. Is there anything I can do to resolve this issue? I also have several other iMacs from 2009-2011 that I can test in if that may be useful.

Reread the post you found. You need to install and boot OpenCore as described before successfully booting any macOS version. You can do this from macOS save mode - I described the complex method in another follow up post.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Other problem
When I reboot the system and click the option key, the startup disk screen does not come out
Can I solve?
Thank you very much

Check the first post of this thread and follow the instructions there. You need to flash your card with a new vBIOS, not other way. You can use a CH341A clip programmer in case you cannot get the sofwtare working.

 

[globetribe]

Ausdauersportler said:
Experimental AMD M5100 / W5170M 2GB support (AMD Radeon R9 M375 2GB)

This card has been produced in many variants, currently I know of at least three different types and ident strings:

Type	ident	BIOS version	device-id	working
Green AMD PCB	109-C93157-00A_03	W5170M	6820	yes
Blue AMD PCB	109-C42271-01_02	W5170M	6820	most likely
Red DELL PCB	109-C42241-01_02	M5100-DELL	6821	yes

Sometimes this card will be advertised as AMD W5170M 2GB version (AMD re-branding). This will be the Green card.


This is a fantastic news, especially given the inflation of spare parts over the past 18 months. Just picked the red one for my old iMac 21" 11' and look forward to receive the card and revive it.

@Ausdauersportler would appreciate if you could guide me on the followings:

- About the copper shim that helps filling the void between the heatsink and the GPU; I read somewhere it had to be less than 0,25mm. do you confirm ?

- My iMac is currently fully working with High Sierra but with an old HDD. My plan is to replace everything inside (SSD, thermal paste, GPU, etc..) with the less disassemblement / maintenance possible. To your view, what is the cleanest way to do that :

1- Stay on HS, swap GPU, flash the card, boot in safe mode do the special trick, install OCLP, install unsupported macOS on SSD (probably BigSur to start) and finally replace the HDD with the new SSD

2- or change SSD, install / build OCLP adding the appropriate options for the new M5100, install BS, Swap & Flash GPU, maybe rebuild OCLP.

Thank you so much, your comments always helpful.

JF

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Ausdauersportler said:
Experimental AMD M5100 / W5170M 2GB support (AMD Radeon R9 M375 2GB)

This card has been produced in many variants, currently I know of at least three different types and ident strings:

Type	ident	BIOS version	device-id	working
Green AMD PCB	109-C93157-00A_03	W5170M	6820	yes
Blue AMD PCB	109-C42271-01_02	W5170M	6820	most likely
Red DELL PCB	109-C42241-01_02	M5100-DELL	6821	yes

Sometimes this card will be advertised as AMD W5170M 2GB version (AMD re-branding). This will be the Green card.


This is a fantastic news, especially given the inflation of spare parts over the past 18 months. Just picked the red one for my old iMac 21" 11' and look forward to receive the card and revive it.

@Ausdauersportler would appreciate if you could guide me on the followings:

- About the copper shim that helps filling the void between the heatsink and the GPU; I read somewhere it had to be less than 0,25mm. do you confirm ?

A year ago U ordered online a small package with approx. 50 pieces of same size and different thickness. It all depends on your current heat sink, just get the same cheap package check it out.

- My iMac is currently fully working with High Sierra but with an old HDD. My plan is to replace everything inside (SSD, thermal paste, GPU, etc..) with the less disassemblement / maintenance possible. To your view, what is the cleanest way to do that :

1- Stay on HS, swap GPU, flash the card, boot in safe mode do the special trick, install OCLP, install unsupported macOS on SSD (probably BigSur to start) and finally replace the HDD with the new SSD

I did it this way. Since I have more than one system I can connect a new SDD to one of my other systems with an USB<->SATA adapter and prepare the SSD this way. If you have access to a second system think about it.

2- or change SSD, install / build OCLP adding the appropriate options for the new M5100, install BS, Swap & Flash GPU, maybe rebuild OCLP.

Thank you so much, your comments always helpful.

JF

The original post is a step by step - just follow it. The red Dell is a nice choice. Tested it some months on my desktop.

Have fun!

 

[Ausdauersportler]

If you want to zero out your carbon footprint then end the carbon footprint generator.

I wouldn't use any device that does not receive further Security Updates unless your personal data is worthless.

Replacing a 120 month old device is very reasonable. That's the product life of macOS & winOS

All my modded iMacs got latest security patches running Big Sur 11.6.1 or Monterey - this is the reason we keep this great thread alive.

If you really believe your personal data is save on a device connected to the internet just because it still has some security updates installed recently I suppose you believe in other weird things, too.

And yes, since committing suicide is the single ultimate option to bring down the personal carbon foot print and it is not a real option my personal advice would be: Consume less and experience more through own activities away from any network device. Real live happens outside. Just coming back from a three hour bike ride in the cold november rain.

 

[TigerA]

The red Dell is a nice choice. Tested it some months on my desktop.

Just had a read of your post #16,552 and would like to know if it still has the "insomnia" issue in iMac12,2? because I am thinking to buy one (M5100) to replace the recently installed K3100M, for curiosity 😅

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Just had a read of your post #16,552 and would like to know if it still has the "insomnia" issue in iMac12,2? because I am thinking to buy one (M5100) to replace the recently installed K3100M, for curiosity 😅

Delete the word still from your question!

Unfortunately I have no idea how to solve this problem! I do not even know the root cause. It happens with all GCN cards and it is really a show stopper. Same applies to the inability to use VER 1.0 WX7100 and RX480. If something is going to change you will find it on the first post.

The M5100 will run (I tested all cards in the iMac12,2), but only display sleep will work. This might be acceptable for casual iMac user - I do not switch my system off until an update happens. Sleep is highly efficient even on these 10+ years systems.

 

[mmoraguescoll]

I meant the DP on my external monitor. I previously connected to another monitor with a DVI port, also works. I suspect your adapter is the issue.

Ok, Thanks a lot for the feedback!!
I don't have any other adapter at the moment but I'm going to try with a simple one from mini DV to DVI. will see if that works for me.

Another thing....😅😄

I noticed that if I put the brightness to the maximum, it doesn't give a lot of brightness compare with the second monitor. I don't know, maybe is me.... but I feel like it should give more light intensity that in does now.
Did you notice that too?

 

[TigerA]

Delete the word still from your question!

Unfortunately I have no idea how to solve this problem! I do not even know the root cause. It happens with all GCN cards and it is really a show stopper. Same applies to the inability to use VER 1.0 WX7100 and RX480. If something is going to change you will find it on the first post.

The M5100 will run (I tested all cards in the iMac12,2), but only display sleep will work. This might be acceptable for casual iMac user - I do not switch my system off until an update happens. Sleep is highly efficient even on these 10+ years systems.

Thx. No pressure intended, just curious.
Ordered one just now. Will serve iMac12,2 sleeping tablet (by manually clicking the "sleep" option) when required 😅

 

[TigerA]

I noticed that if I put the brightness to the maximum, it doesn't give a lot of brightness compare with the second monitor. I don't know, maybe is me.... but I feel like it should give more light intensity that in does now.
Did you notice that too?

That's why I was amazed that you claimed everything worked?! You will need to follow the instruction from the Link I provided previously to inject the backlight kext if you use High Sierra. Don't need to inject anything if you use OCLP though.

 

[mmoraguescoll]

Have an external HDMI display working with a simple HDMI to miniDP cable. There is absolutely no need to use VGA. DVI to miniDP needs to be active.
Most guys complaining about lack of connectivity to displays have a different (black screen) problem.

Thank for the reply!!
unfortunadly I don't have any monitor with HDMI connection, so in my case it is a need to use DVI or VGA.
My monitor only have those two options, DVI or VGA.
DVI doesn't work for me and I think is because of my multi adapter, but using the VGA connection on this same adapter works.
I don't have any other adapter but I'm going to try with another the soon as I can.
👍

 

[Ausdauersportler]

That's why I was amazed that you claimed everything worked?! You will need to follow the instruction from the Link I provided previously to inject the backlight kext.

Everything is working on his (Late 2009 or Mid 2010) system.

Pressing sleep manually using GCN card will crash your iMac12,2 - sleep does not work regardless which way to try to switch it on. Okay, technically sleep is working and the crash happens on wake but the result - a crash - is the same.
You have to disable sleep in the Energy settings in the system preferences using a 2011 system.

 

[mmoraguescoll]

That's why I was amazed that you claimed everything worked?! You will need to follow the instruction from the Link I provided previously to inject the backlight kext.

Ok, but do I have to select all three options on the custom install section or only the one of the backlightfixup?
And very important for me to know!!
making those/that patch, I'm not going to loose all the other things are already working.... right?

 

[mmoraguescoll]

Everything is working on his (Late 2009 or Mid 2010) system.

Pressing sleep manually using GCN card will crash your iMac12,2 - sleep does not work regardless which way to try to switch it on. Okay, technically sleep is working and the crash happens on wake but the result - a crash - is the same.
You have to disable sleep in the Energy settings in the system preferences using a 2011 system.

yesterday I went downstairs and when I get back to the iMac he was sleeping, I clicked on my mouse and he just waked up normally, no crash. I did not try to go to sleep manually get!! do you want me to try it out to see what happend?😅

 

[mmoraguescoll]

yesterday I went downstairs and when I get back to the iMac he was sleeping, I clicked on my mouse and he just waked up normally, no crash. I did not try to go to sleep manually get!! do you want me to try it out to see what happend?😅

Oh, just to clarify, you mentioned late 2009 or mid 2010. I have a mid 2011 27 inch