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

[iPhone_se]

Hit space bar on the OpenCore boot screen and you will get the recovery as well as an reset NVRAM option.
It is even possible to add a disable SIP option....

But you cannot disable SIP from the recovery, you need to rewrite OpenCore through OCLP with SIP disabled. If you rerun OCLP it will autodetect the need to disable SIP.

You should have updated OCLP before moving to Monterey....

P.S:
Most credit should go to @internetzel, @nikey22 and @Nick [D]vB!

I just tried the space bar trick at boot and sure enough several more boot options appeared on the boot picker including recovery and nvram reset. After all of this time, over a year now, I never knew about that being the method to use to enter macOS recovery mode on my metal GPU upgraded iMacs.

So I guess my only option is to do another clean install using OCLP to go back to Big Sur 11.6, then disable SIP, then do an OTA upgrade to Monterey? Would that work and preserve the SIP disabled in Monterey? All of this is because I need to run OCLP post install patching to patch my 2011 to get the legacy WiFi working. I ran the OCLP under BS to generate the EFI and installed it on my internal SSD. Then I erased the SSD APFS container and performed Monterey clean install. Apparently Monterey installer disregards the SIP disabled that OCLP set in the config.plist and enabled SIP anyway.

Many Thanks again, and also appreciate the proper credits given and that I also extend to internetzel, nikey22, Nick [D]vB! You guys are all Mac coding rock stars!

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I just tried the space bar trick at boot and sure enough several more boot options appeared on the boot picker including recovery and nvram reset. After all of this time, over a year now, I never knew about that being the method to use to enter macOS recovery mode on my metal GPU upgraded iMacs.

So I guess my only option is to do another clean install using OCLP to go back to Big Sur 11.6, then disable SIP, then do an OTA upgrade to Monterey? Would that work and preserve the SIP disabled in Monterey? All of this is because I need to run OCLP post install patching to patch my 2011 to get the legacy WiFi working. I ran the OCLP under BS to generate the EFI and installed it on my internal SSD. Then I erased the SSD APFS container and performed Monterey clean install. Apparently Monterey installer disregards the SIP disabled that OCLP set in the config.plist and enabled SIP anyway.

Many Thanks again, and also appreciate the proper credits given and that I also extend to internetzel, nikey22, Nick [D]vB! You guys are all Mac coding rock stars!

No, just rerun the latest OCLP 0.3.1 and install OpenCore, again.

This should give you the correct settings. If you do not get the correct settings it is a bug.

No need to reinstall. You can load (using another computer) the TUI offline patcher to patch without working WiFi.

OCLP has online docs worth reading.

 

[freestart]

Hi,

I have successfull installed BigSure 11.6.1 on my iMac 10,1 later 2009 with cpu dual core with Nvidia Card K3000M, work all only boot screen doesn't work, it is always black, only when I turn in sleep the iMac it at wake up turn on the screen. I have installed OperCore how can I fix this problem? thanks!

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi,

I have successfull installed BigSure 11.6.1 on my iMac 10,1 later 2009 with cpu dual core with Nvidia Card K3000M, work all only boot screen doesn't work, it is always black, only when I turn in sleep the iMac it at wake up turn on the screen. I have installed OperCore how can I fix this problem? thanks!

You do not give up?

Boot screen does not work on Core2Duo iMac10,1 systems! You need to have an iMac11,x or iMac12,x to get boot screen working.

Surprisingly you internal screen wakes up after sleep, good to know!

 

[freestart]

You do not give up?

Boot screen does not work on Core2Duo iMac10,1 systems! You need to have an iMac11,x or iMac12,x to get boot screen working.

Surprisingly you internal screen wakes up after sleep, good to know!

Hi,

thanks for answer me, why it doens't work with dual core? if I change cpu? thanks! In first post I have read that it is possible risolve it with OpenCore or special drive board

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi,

thanks for answer me, why it doens't work with dual core? if I change cpu? thanks! In first post I have read that it is possible risolve it with OpenCore or special drive board

1. The modified (NVIDIA video) BIOS with EFI boot screen version require an Intel i3 CPU or better (see also below #5)

It will be the firmware of your old mac…you cannot change the CPU, it would need a different socket. OpenCore might enable the LCD on boot using a GOP vBIOS, no one knows, no developer has access to an 10,1 system.

I am pretty sure I wrote this some days ago.

 

[antoniomac]

I tried using this thermal pad material instead of a copper plate, and it had really negative effects on my WX4150 installation (you can read about using the link in my signature). It caused overheating and intermittent shutdowns. I highly recommend that you use a copper plate with your GPU (along with the K5 Pro and other installation recommendations found on the first post). There are kits available for purchase online with many different-sized copper squares for GPUs. They are not very expensive and will ensure that your upgrade goes smoothly. Initially, I thought I could save a few dollars by using a thermal pad, but it just ended up being a headache for me.

Something like this would work fine.

Perfect!!!!
thank you very much

 

[antoniomac]

Unfortunately I have returned the defective K2100M and have to choose a new GPU
I have two iMacs
iMac 27 2010 and iMac 21 2011
I would like a stable system with Big Sure
On the web I find the WX4130 but the price is high (supported by Monterey) and the M5100 (great prices) but it needs a special configuration
I need your point of view
Thanks so much for your time

 

[freestart]

1. The modified (NVIDIA video) BIOS with EFI boot screen version require an Intel i3 CPU or better (see also below #5)

It will be the firmware of your old mac…you cannot change the CPU, it would need a different socket. OpenCore might enable the LCD on boot using a GOP vBIOS, no one knows, no developer has access to an 10,1 system.

I am pretty sure I wrote this some days ago.

Thanks for answer, excuse me what means GOP vBIOS? thanks

 

[freestart]

Quadra K3000M with the stock VBIOS successfully working on a iMac 24 inch Early 2009 iMac on Big Sur with Full Metal Acceleration using the external DisplayPort port on the back connected to an internal LVDS controller board internally going through the RAM door in order to “connect” to the internal LCD. Obviously no boot screen but works great, cpu is for some reason detected as 2.65 GHz, maybe because of OpenCore. Sleep also works!

I also tried a Quadro K3100M, however it refused to POST, not sure why. However works great with the K3000M, word of warning.

Hi, excuse me how have you connected on the back connected to an internal LVDS controller board internally going through the RAM door in order to “connect” to the internal LCD, which controller board, can you send me photos? thanks!

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks for answer, excuse me what means GOP vBIOS? thanks

You may read this post about what is GOP and how to add a GOP part to a video BIOS file.

From the same site I pulled this K3000M video BIOS and added a GOP part using the tools described in the former link. It has been attached.

Please be prepared from some trouble after flashing the card, you may end up with two black screens. In this case you would need to flash the existing video BIOS back onto your card using the Linux utility, again!

Honestly I would accept the sleep problem. Happens only once on boot.

The hardware solution using the converter costs about 50+ Euro and needs then display cable to be rerouted through he RAM door or you drill another hole at the back side. You will plug the miniDP cable in the free port on the back of you iMac and make the internal screen an external one.

 

[iPhone_se]

Unfortunately I have returned the defective K2100M and have to choose a new GPU
I have two iMacs
iMac 27 2010 and iMac 21 2011
I would like a stable system with Big Sure
On the web I find the WX4130 but the price is high (supported by Monterey) and the M5100 (great prices) but it needs a special configuration
I need your point of view
Thanks so much for your time

I am using this WX4150 card below in my 2010 and 2011 27” iMacs and is working flawless in Big Sur and Monterey. A little pricey maybe but since you need two maybe you can try negotiating with the seller on a pair of them:

2010 iMac 11,3 i7 870, 16 GB, WX4150 w/WX4150_GOP.rom vBios, OCLP 0.3.1 Monterey 12.0.1
2011 iMac 12,2 i7 2600, 32 GB, WX4150 w/WX4150_GOP.rom vBios, OCLP 0.3.1 Monterey 12.0.1

Dell Precision 7520 AMD Radeon Pro WX 4150 4GB Video Card V30XX | eBay

DP/N: V30XX.

www.ebay.com

 

[freestart]

You may read this post about what is GOP and how to add a GOP part to a video BIOS file.

From the same site I pulled this K3000M video BIOS and added a GOP part using the tools described in the former link. It has been attached.

Please be prepared from some trouble after flashing the card, you may end up with two black screens. In this case you would need to flash the existing video BIOS back onto your card using the Linux utility, again!

Honestly I would accept the sleep problem. Happens only once on boot.

The hardware solution using the converter costs about 50+ Euro and needs then display cable to be rerouted through he RAM door or you drill another hole at the back side. You will plug the miniDP cable in the free port on the back of you iMac and make the internal screen an external one.

Thanks very much but after that I have flashed this vbios I will must add some option in opencore?

 

[freestart]

You may read this post about what is GOP and how to add a GOP part to a video BIOS file.

From the same site I pulled this K3000M video BIOS and added a GOP part using the tools described in the former link. It has been attached.

Please be prepared from some trouble after flashing the card, you may end up with two black screens. In this case you would need to flash the existing video BIOS back onto your card using the Linux utility, again!

Honestly I would accept the sleep problem. Happens only once on boot.

The hardware solution using the converter costs about 50+ Euro and needs then display cable to be rerouted through he RAM door or you drill another hole at the back side. You will plug the miniDP cable in the free port on the back of you iMac and make the internal screen an external one.

I have seen that you have add on gop in a original bios please can you do it with mod bios of st3phl3? thanks very much

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I have seen that you have add on gop in a original bios please can you do it with mod bios of st3phl3? thanks very much

Sorry, I cannot. The tools do not support adding a GOP to Mac EFI vBIOS versions.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks very much but after that I have flashed this vbios I will must add some option in opencore?

No, you just need to install OLCP as described numerous times here.

You know there is always a risk when entering uncharted territories with these machines. I do not have the same system so we have to perform all tests remote at your system.


P.S.
Please add a signature to your account here (account settings on top of the page) with your current hardware.
Please try to consolidate your questions in single posts, this is not really a chat system.

 

[freestart]

No, you just need to install OLCP as described numerous times here.

You know there is always a risk when entering uncharted territories with these machines. I do not have the same system so we have to perform all tests remote at your system.


P.S.
Please add a signature to your account here (account settings on top of the page) with your current hardware.
Please try to consolidate your questions in single posts, this is not really a chat system.

Excuse me for single post but how can I do if I must ask single question? I have updated my account signature. Excuse me why the bios of st3phl3 is a Mac EFI vbios? I already installed OpenCore legacy Patcher for install Big Sur so I not to do other?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Excuse me for single post but how can I do if I must ask single question? I have updated my account signature. Excuse me why the bios of st3phl3 is a Mac EFI vbios? I already installed OpenCore legacy Patcher for install Big Sur so I not to do other?

Why it is an EFI vBIOS??
Because it can offer an EFI boot picker on your external screen (and on later iMacs also on an internal screen)
Why do we want to a GOP vBIOS in your system?
Because EFI does not work internally!
Why OpenCore?
It allows switching on the internal display on boot using a (fitting) GOP vBIOS and offering a different OC boot picker.

So it is your choice! If you want to have an EFI boot picker ignore all my mails and get the display converter and a HDMI to miniDP cable, reroute it and run the internal display like an external display (perfect solution).

If you are brave just try the GOP vBIOS and hope OpenCore will switch on the backlight and will show the famous OC boot picker there. You will not have the EFI one, but you do not need the hardware invest.

EDIT:
Would have done this myself but lately I failed to find a test system. The 10,1 Late 2009 seems a rare animal these days. So you could help us all describing which ever solution you picked at the end. Even posting a failure is helpful, we do not need to go the same route twice.

 

[nick0k]

Hi,
everything works fine now with monterey only in sleep mode doesn't wake up.. if i put in stop imac when i move mouse or press any key the imac turn on (and fix the dithering), but after 15 minutes ( if i do nothing), imac goes in sleep mode or stand by and doesn't wake up anymore. how can i solve?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi,
everything works fine now with monterey only in sleep mode doesn't wake up.. if i put in stop imac when i move mouse or press any key the imac turn on (and fix the dithering), but after 15 minutes ( if i do nothing), imac goes in sleep mode or stand by and doesn't wake up anymore. how can i solve?

This is supposed to work fine with a K4100M and Monterey. Have you applied the post install patches?

 

[nick0k]

yes apply correct

 

[TigerA]

yes apply correct

wired keyboard & mouse, or Bluetooth ones?

 

[nick0k]

all usb wired

 

[Ausdauersportler]

yes apply correct

You need to run OCLP post install patches on Monterey to get Kepler graphics acceleration back?
Download the TUI patcher, start it and choose option #1 - better you start reading with the OCLP online docs right now.

Did sleep/wake work on Big Sur?


P.S.: You can edit your posts and make a single one instead of three ones with three word each....

 

[nick0k]

I have already apply post install patch, graphics acceleration seems to work, i already install OCLP, MacOS big sur was instable.. finder often disappeared and i couldn't do anything just reboot.
Where are OCLP onlines docs?