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

[TAPKAE]

@TAPKAE
It is just a function of boost and overclock. I had to scale back to keep the card from overheating on most applications based on people's opinions at the time.

Here it is with full boost, enjoy:

Sweet! Thanks!

I guess since this project is growing in conjunction with OCLP, the earlier one was what it took to make do in the Dosdude environments before OCLP picked up some of the slack for performance?

 

[TigerA]

Yes, I followed the special install notes on page 1 of this forum for the M5100. Check their for details.

Yes, for the 27" iMac, and No, for the 21.5" iMac.
I did not put a copper shim for the 27" iMac and the temperature difference between the die and the heatsink is 25C! But I am not worried because I am going to pull this M5100 card out and put a W6170M in after Xmas.

 

[TigerA]

And now we still do not know which of the three published vBIOS is working with it.

Tested all these 3 vBIOS and all work fine with OCLP v0.3.3, so long as I put the iMac into sleep once, when connected to an external monitor.
I've settled on your original M5100 vBIOS now.

 

[TAPKAE]

If anyone is interested I have updated and modified the awesome grml-linux vbios flash boot disk that @xanderon shared with the macrumors community.


3rd - save a backup of your original bios to the Backup folder on your USB.

./amdvbflash -s 0 Backups/Original_Vbios.rom

4th - Verify the bios is saved to your Backups folder:

cd Backups
ls

Just curious...

If a file called Original_Vbios is already included, and we're asking to save an existing record to that, is that just a placeholder that gets overwritten?

I did the Nikey22 flash to correct the Elpida K2100m and things went fine, but my question about how performance seemed to drop was answered with him providing a newer OC-friendly version, so I have to get in there and do it again. I just thought the verification of the backup to be an odd experience with there not being two clearly different file names or anything like that. I might have expected something to indicate a distinction between what is on the Linux drive to start with and some kind of indication of backed up version.

As long as it works, then fine. It just seems confusing, and at a critical moment.

Otherwise, what is the case if a backup was not made or not done correctly? Just retry it all with a proven version?

 

[TigerA]

Just curious...

If a file called Original_Vbios is already included, and we're asking to save an existing record to that, is that just a placeholder that gets overwritten?

Yes, if you don't change the file name in command ./amdvbflash -s 0 Backups/Original_Vbios.rom ,
and No, if you substitute the "Original_Vbios.rom" with something else.

 

[TigerA]

Installed a W6170M to an iMac12,2. The card is not recognised by the vBIOS_flash program:
./amdvbflash -i
AMDVBFLASH version 4.71, Copyright (c) 2020 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

R600 spi - read rom controller status timeout
...........
adapter seg bn dn dID asic flash romsize test bios p/n
0 0000 01 00 6600 Oland R600 SPI 10000 fail -

tried the card only without the heatsink: the iMac would not stay on for long: suspect the missing heatsink sensor caused the auto-shutdown. Reinstalled the card and with the 4 clamping screws remained very loose: the result is the same. Also measured the silver coloured components (resistors) and the case (which is going to touch the heatsink once in place) is not conductive.

update: tried on another iMac12,2 and got the same result. This is a very unfortunate event: the card is DOA (Dead on Arrival)😓

 

[temaathletic]

Hey, MBP 13 Late 2013 work very good, working all feature!

 

[rcmn]

From your attached images, your stock 27" iMac 2010 can fully run Catalina with DOSDude1's Catalina Patcher without additional hardware changes.

The 1st post has already stated clearly that there is no plug-&-play solution.
For recent macOS, just get one of the listed GPUs in the 1st post with supported vBIOS. The best buy is the one available in your local market and affordable to you for your application usage (see their metal score, not OpenGL).
Of course as stated in 1st post again, those newer AMD GPUs are more metal compatible and future proof, but some may not work in particular iMacs. But overall, the iMac 2010 seems to be most tolerant to AMD GPUs.

Thank you for reply.

dosdue made this statement, what about that ?

• iMac11,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Catalina.)

 

[vkd]

I put a new Quadro K2100M in my 2011 iMac a couple of months ago, flashed with nikey22's BIOS and the last few days its started doing intermittent flickering. Any ideas why and/or what I can do about it? I have Macs Fan Control installed and its not overheating at all, all temps less than 60ºC. I have OC 0.7.6 for the backlight control, thats all.

Thanks guys.

 

[AirpodsNow]

So, I did the PRAM reset three times and did boot with sinkless card and it chimes. The second led is on. Now I need to look at the heatsink to find the spots.

hello, I seem to have the exact same 2x WX4150 according to your pictures + Mid 2011 27" and 21.5". I flashed it, but I get stuck with 2 lights on the iMac logic board (it chimes), never go the 3rd to lit on unless I use the stock GPU.

Seems to be in a similar situation you were in, what did you do with 'look at the heatsink to find spots'? What does that mean, is there something I could check? I would appreciate some help, I have tried numerous stuff but didn't work so far. Am about to toss the GPUs in the bin! Any help is appreciated!

 

[Ausdauersportler]

hello, I seem to have the exact same 2x WX4150 according to your pictures + Mid 2011 27" and 21.5". I flashed it, but I get stuck with 2 lights on the iMac logic board (it chimes), never go the 3rd to lit on unless I use the stock GPU.

Seems to be in a similar situation you were in, what did you do with 'look at the heatsink to find spots'? What does that mean, is there something I could check? I would appreciate some help, I have tried numerous stuff but didn't work so far. Am about to toss the GPUs in the bin! Any help is appreciated!

The GOP vBIOS does only light up the first two LED and the last one if the internal LCD has been connected and recognized by the system.

The same AMD Polaris GOP vBIOS does not work with High Sierra on the internal screen unless (AGC) patched. You find all this on the first post. In 99.999% it is a user error, we had not really a broken AMD GPU so far. You can always use an external display with High Sierra! This works out of the box.

On the same first post of this thread there is a remark in the GPU table about the special installation needing a copper plate to bridge the gap to the GPU and avoid shorts.

You have a plenty of time over Christmas to catch up with the docs...

 

[AirpodsNow]

The GOP vBIOS does only light up the first two LED and the last one if the internal LCD has been connected and recognized by the system.

The same AMD Polaris GOP vBIOS does not work with High Sierra on the internal screen unless (AGC) patched. You find all this on the first post. In 99.999% it is a user error, we had not really a broken AMD GPU so far. You can always use an external display with High Sierra! This works out of the box.

On the same first post of this thread there is a remark in the GPU table about the special installation needing a copper plate to bridge the gap to the GPU and avoid shorts.

You have a plenty of time over Christmas to catch up with the docs...

Thanks for the quick response.

1) When I flashed the card via remote SSH, I initiated a 'reboot' and the screen wasn't turning on either. Did a few pram resets, without results.

2) We did order the 1mm copper plates, I will try them again and see whether this will make a difference.

Question: good to hear that they 'should' work, and I am suspecting some kind of a short somewhere. Are you saying that once it 'should' work, it should lit up when starting up (normally the screen goes white first)? Or do I need to hold the option key to force a boot up screen? Or do I stick in the SSD with the OPCL? I normally test without any drives attached, since I was expecting the 3rd led to go up.

Indeed xmas, and I have had fun already for 3 days now.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks for the quick response.

1) When I flashed the card via remote SSH, I initiated a 'reboot' and the screen wasn't turning on either. Did a few pram resets, without results.

2) We did order the 1mm copper plates, I will try them again and see whether this will make a difference.

Question: good to hear that they 'should' work, and I am suspecting some kind of a short somewhere. Are you saying that once it 'should' work, it should lit up when starting up (normally the screen goes white first)? Or do I need to hold the option key to force a boot up screen? Or do I stick in the SSD with the OPCL? I normally test without any drives attached, since I was expecting the 3rd led to go up.

Indeed xmas, and I have had fun already for 3 days now.

Please, read the first post and try to understand what a GOP vBIOS does and what it not does!

No, you cannot use alt/option on boot, it is no EFI vBIOS!
Yes, you can install OpenCore to the internal disk and this will light up the internal screen without any key pressed on boot!
No, High Sierra will still not work on the internal LCD, unless patched.
No, even with OC there will be no third LED. It is still no EFI vBIOS!

 

[Pacific1972]

Off Topic question - second support 12V / 5V Power supply for MXM ?​

After exploring on ebay for a defected IMac 27" 2009 power supply (my second repair candidate at the moment
for new power supply 310 watts + video card) - had anybody think about CPU wattage (up to 95 watt) together
with big MXM video card (up to 100 watts) and install a second power supply / sealed ring core power supply
onplace of the Superdrive ? I think about my half dimmed LED on GTX880 with peak 122 watts and a
95W CPU...

...another option was a long and small sized additional - LED permanent powered -
12V power supply up to 200 / 300 watts for both GPU & CPU wattage:

The size is 31cm x 5.3cm x 2.3cm - fits horizontal from Superdrive place to original Power supply in
the 27" iMac - but more interesting to use this for 21.5" for 95W CPU and big sized MXM video cards -
if spiltting the 230V power cable and inject output (regular 12V + additional LM317 circuit for 5V)
into 14pin ATX power cable to LogicBoard - somebody ready for assembling ? 🙃😄😊

(ATTN: cross check both power supply outputs for different voltage before install) !

...okay, need more than 1.5 ampere - only useable for ssd !

 

[TAPKAE]

I wrote a few days ago saying I just made my first attempt at flashing my K2100M (Elpida VRAM) correctly using Nikey22's tweak to accommodate the oddball Elpida VRAM after a year of using Nick D's, which apparently suited the card but not that particular VRAM detail, so for a year I had a throttled card. I had a tech do the sourcing and installation originally so while he told me it was hobbled by half, I accepted that just doing this kind of thing was a cool step forward and rolled with it until a few weeks ago when my main iMac had its GPU eat it, sending me back here to make ready to have the process done to yet another machine.

But on the one in question, I found Nikey22's ROM and after some struggle, got it installed then spent time time doing all three Geekbench tests on FOUR OS volumes to see how it all ranks. I wrote back here after that finding things were moving backwards with lower rankings for the most part, and thankfully Nikey22 got back to me with the ROM that is intended for use with Opencore. So I got that going yesterday and did more testing. And as it should, it unambiguously surpassed the first of his bioses for the K2100 (non Opencore), and did indeed surpass the first bios I'd used for a year.

I made this spreadsheet that hopefully makes some sense. There are four operating systems involved on the same machine, three different vbioses checked (Nick's a few weeks ago, and Nikey22's in the last two days), and three Geekbench tests for every instance.

I am not so nerdy as to do comparisons with every other user and machine out there but there clearly is an improvement, and for a machine my friend left for dead, this works for me.

Full sheet:

Geekbench iMac i5-2400 w K2100M (Elpida VRAM) before/after reflashed VBIOS

Sheet1 Operating System (volumes on SSD), CPU Tests,GPU Tests METAL,OpenCL Nick D (single/multi),Nikey22 Elpida 2GB VRAM--NON OC (single/multi),Nikey22 Elpida--OC (single/multi),Nick D 1GB VRAM,Nikey22 2GB VRAM (non-OC bios),Nikey22 2GB VRAM (OC bios),Nick D 1GB VRAM,Nikey22 2GB VRAM (non-OC bio...

docs.google.com

 

[BadBiscuit]

I wrote a few days ago saying I just made my first attempt at flashing my K2100M (Elpida VRAM) correctly using Nikey22's tweak to accommodate the oddball Elpida VRAM after a year of using Nick D's, which apparently suited the card but not that particular VRAM detail, so for a year I had a throttled card. I had a tech do the sourcing and installation originally so while he told me it was hobbled by half, I accepted that just doing this kind of thing was a cool step forward and rolled with it until a few weeks ago when my main iMac had its GPU eat it, sending me back here to make ready to have the process done to yet another machine.

But on the one in question, I found Nikey22's ROM and after some struggle, got it installed then spent time time doing all three Geekbench tests on FOUR OS volumes to see how it all ranks. I wrote back here after that finding things were moving backwards with lower rankings for the most part, and thankfully Nikey22 got back to me with the ROM that is intended for use with Opencore. So I got that going yesterday and did more testing. And as it should, it unambiguously surpassed the first of his bioses for the K2100 (non Opencore), and did indeed surpass the first bios I'd used for a year.

I made this spreadsheet that hopefully makes some sense. There are four operating systems involved on the same machine, three different vbioses checked (Nick's a few weeks ago, and Nikey22's in the last two days), and three Geekbench tests for every instance.

I am not so nerdy as to do comparisons with every other user and machine out there but there clearly is an improvement, and for a machine my friend left for dead, this works for me.

Full sheet:

Geekbench iMac i5-2400 w K2100M (Elpida VRAM) before/after reflashed VBIOS

Sheet1 Operating System (volumes on SSD), CPU Tests,GPU Tests METAL,OpenCL Nick D (single/multi),Nikey22 Elpida 2GB VRAM--NON OC (single/multi),Nikey22 Elpida--OC (single/multi),Nick D 1GB VRAM,Nikey22 2GB VRAM (non-OC bios),Nikey22 2GB VRAM (OC bios),Nick D 1GB VRAM,Nikey22 2GB VRAM (non-OC bio...

docs.google.com

It is great to have a vbios choice for overclocking the K2100m-Elpida, and one that returns such nice scores. I shall upgrade my card too. Crossing fingers that it remains as stable as Nikey22's prior file; worst case I can just flash it back. Thanks for sharing your results, and Merry Christmas.

UPDATE: With the new "OC" vbios my Big Sur Geekbench metal score is 2641 which is a 300 point improvement over the prior, non-OC vbios' score. Looks like a worthy change for those of us with Elpida memory on our K2100M cards.

 

[AirpodsNow]

Please, read the first post and try to understand what a GOP vBIOS does and what it not does!

No, you cannot use alt/option on boot, it is no EFI vBIOS!
Yes, you can install OpenCore to the internal disk and this will light up the internal screen without any key pressed on boot!
No, High Sierra will still not work on the internal LCD, unless patched.
No, even with OC there will be no third LED. It is still no EFI vBIOS!

Thanks again for your responses. Thanks for reminding me to reread about the GOP vBIOS again, it makes sense now. I think everything is just overwhelming: POST, GOP, OCLP, EFI, vBIOS etc. So it is just confusing after a while, my apologies for asking stupid questions, but it is helpful to get a nudge sometimes to re-read post 1.

I must say it is much appreciated this thread and all the information seems to be in this thread, but as you know, some info are not 'synced' anymore.

For instance, I got lost for a day with trying to get the linux flash utility going. Tthere is the @xanderon post, where it was initially linked to his own flash utility (link from the first post under Q&A how to flash). This post a link with the linux download and instructions. The link to the download has changed, so the instructions are not working (sorry, I am a Linux user that can only do copy and paste mostly from the web), so I got lost big time, until I realised that the download link is related to the 'new' upgraded method from @The_Croupier with the 'new' instructions here. It would be good that the post where @xanderon refers to the 'new' image also includes the link to the 'new' instructions. But once I figured this out, then the linux flash utility did not 'automagically' request an IP address upon boot. I had to type the following sequence after boot: N, 5x enter. So that was that.

I have run the iMac 2011 21.5 and 27 (iMac 12,1 and 12,2) on OCLP Monterey already working (and yes, it has run on latest High Sierra for years, so the firmware should have been up to date). Just know I tried again to install the WX4130 + 1mm copper plates on 21.5, and I visually could see NO contact with anything else except the GPU core. Screen wasn't going on after boot (OCLP Monterey). I have tried the 'normal' GOP firmware and the alternative one without success. Also I have 2x WX4150 so I would like to rule out that possibility of a faulty card. I will try on the 27" as well, since there seems to be differences between 12,1 vs 12,2 success rates. Unless you think this card needs to be modded?



AliExpress link for this GPU WX4130. Tip: I asked the seller to check the card that it works 100%. They sent a screenshot under messages with a 'working' screen, see attached.

New Dell Precision 7510 7520 M4800 Voor Hp Zbook15 G4 Radeon Pro WX4130 2Gb Wx 4150 WX4150 4Gb MXM3.0 Type​

 

[dfranetic]

@AirpodsNow Your WX4150s have Elpida VRAM ICs. That’s just a guess, but it could be that this VRAM is unsupported by currently available VBIOS variants. Have you tried booting with the original VBIOS? (It could be that it would work just with an external display.)

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Off Topic question - second support 12V / 5V Power supply for MXM ?​

After exploring on ebay for a defected IMac 27" 2009 power supply (my second repair candidate at the moment
for new power supply 310 watts + video card) - had anybody think about CPU wattage (up to 95 watt) together
with big MXM video card (up to 100 watts) and install a second power supply / sealed ring core power supply
onplace of the Superdrive ? I think about my half dimmed LED on GTX880 with peak 122 watts and a
95W CPU...

View attachment 1933849

...another option was a long and small sized additional - LED permanent powered -
12V power supply up to 200 / 300 watts for both GPU & CPU wattage:


View attachment 1933850
The size is 31cm x 5.3cm x 2.3cm - fits horizontal from Superdrive place to original Power supply in
the 27" iMac - but more interesting to use this for 21.5" for 95W CPU and big sized MXM video cards -
if spiltting the 230V power cable and inject output (regular 12V + additional LM317 circuit for 5V)
into 14pin ATX power cable to LogicBoard - somebody ready for assembling ? 🙃😄😊

(ATTN: cross check both power supply outputs for different voltage before install) !

View attachment 1933860

...okay, need more than 1.5 ampere - only useable for ssd !

Just a short notice about those plans:

The increased power would have to find it‘s way over the system board into the MXM slot to the card and later out of the enclosure using the heat sink and fans.

Neither the system board and all its electronics nor the heat sink and fans are designed to transport more than these 75W of the GPU on average in and out.

Physics cannot be cheated…

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks again for your responses. Thanks for reminding me to reread about the GOP vBIOS again, it makes sense now. I think everything is just overwhelming: POST, GOP, OCLP, EFI, vBIOS etc. So it is just confusing after a while, my apologies for asking stupid questions, but it is helpful to get a nudge sometimes to re-read post 1.

I must say it is much appreciated this thread and all the information seems to be in this thread, but as you know, some info are not 'synced' anymore.

For instance, I got lost for a day with trying to get the linux flash utility going. Tthere is the @xanderon post, where it was initially linked to his own flash utility (link from the first post under Q&A how to flash). This post a link with the linux download and instructions. The link to the download has changed, so the instructions are not working (sorry, I am a Linux user that can only do copy and paste mostly from the web), so I got lost big time, until I realised that the download link is related to the 'new' upgraded method from @The_Croupier with the 'new' instructions here. It would be good that the post where @xanderon refers to the 'new' image also includes the link to the 'new' instructions. But once I figured this out, then the linux flash utility did not 'automagically' request an IP address upon boot. I had to type the following sequence after boot: N, 5x enter. So that was that.

Sorry, it took me a few minutes to read the FAQ entry and both posts. Even the original post made by @xanderon mentions on the updated version on the top.
If you are mixing a method from an older post with a download from a later one I cannot really help you.
Your IP problems are most likely related to your own network router/switch/DSL access point. Having an OCLP boot picker you may not check the boot sequence of the Linux utility for trouble shooting.

I have run the iMac 2011 21.5 and 27 (iMac 12,1 and 12,2) on OCLP Monterey already working (and yes, it has run on latest High Sierra for years, so the firmware should have been up to date). Just know I tried again to install the WX4150 + 1mm copper plates on 21.5, and I visually could see NO contact with anything else except the GPU core. Screen wasn't going on after boot (OCLP Monterey). I have tried the 'normal' GOP firmware and the alternative one without success. Also I have 2x WX4150 so I would like to rule out that possibility of a faulty card. I will try on the 27" as well, since there seems to be differences between 12,1 vs 12,2 success rates. Unless you think this card needs to be modded?

We asked users to make pictures of the new GPU card before installing it and saving the original vBIOS. Now guess why this would be a good idea? @dfranetic was able to identify your Elpida based WX4150.
If neither the normal vBIOS nor the ALT version works for you we are out of options now unless you can upload the original vBIOS.

 

[AirpodsNow]

@AirpodsNow Your WX4150s have Elpida VRAM ICs. That’s just a guess, but it could be that this VRAM is unsupported by currently available VBIOS variants. Have you tried booting with the original VBIOS? (It could be that it would work just with an external display.)

Thanks, will try soon. The flash utility is not starting anymore, so will need to put back the stock gpu so I can see what sequence buttons I need to press to make it work again. And yes, I wish I somehow could connect an external screen to my iMac (don't have the cables here..)

We asked users to make pictures of the new GPU card before installing it and saving the original vBIOS. Now guess why this would be a good idea? @dfranetic was able to identify your Elpida based WX4150.
If neither the normal vBIOS nor the ALT version works for you we are out of options now unless you can upload the original vBIOS.

I haven't tried yet the 'original' firmware, I will do so soon some time today. Attached the 'backup' of the original. And yes, they are Elpida W4032BABG-70-F. I am happy I shared the pix, since I thought we should try them first and only after we got issues we should ask on this forum. It never occurred to me that these are not the 'same' as the other WX4150s. Since it said 'all' Dells 'should' work on post 1.

Thanks again and will be back later today after I tried to flash the original back to the machine.

 

[AirpodsNow]

@AirpodsNow Your WX4150s have Elpida VRAM ICs. That’s just a guess, but it could be that this VRAM is unsupported by currently available VBIOS variants. Have you tried booting with the original VBIOS? (It could be that it would work just with an external display.)

Thanks for the suggestion! Result: only led 3 is not on, the led 1,2 and 4 went on with OCLP Monterey. Screen is blank, no reaction at all. When booting High Sierra non OCLP led 3 and 4 are off. Any other suggestions?

 

[internetzel]

Thanks for the suggestion! Result: only led 3 is not on, the led 1,2 and 4 went on with OCLP Monterey. Screen is blank, no reaction at all. When booting High Sierra non OCLP led 3 and 4 are off. Any other suggestions?

Thanks for the VBIOS - I've updated my VBIOS post with files for both WX4150 and W4170 that contain the Elpida VRAM configuration from your VBIOS file.

Edit: Turned out that the new VBIOSes were identical to the WX4130 VBIOSes, so I reverted the files in the post.

 

[AirpodsNow]

Thanks for the VIBIOS - I've updated my VBIOS post with files for both WX4150 and W4170 that contain the Elpida VRAM configuration from your VBIOS file.

No, thank you! I don't know what you did, but using your version I have a successfully boot it! It also does native screen brightness control and sleep. Fantastic. What's odd is that I ordered from Aliexpress the WX4130 (2GB version), but when flashing it shows the 4GB. So I assumed it was 4GB, the WX4150, which also shown on the last VBIOS of yours. However, when started on the 21.5, macOS shows that it is only 2GB. What is happening here?

I will try tomorrow on the 27". Many thanks. Attached the benchmark.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

No, thank you! I don't know what you did, but using your version I have a successfully boot it! It also does native screen brightness control and sleep. Fantastic. What's odd is that I ordered from Aliexpress the WX4130 (2GB version), but when flashing it shows the 4GB. So I assumed it was 4GB, the WX4150, which also shown on the last VBIOS of yours. However, when started on the 21.5, macOS shows that it is only 2GB. What is happening here?

I will try tomorrow on the 27". Many thanks. Attached the benchmark.

If the chip on the card is really this model with W4032BABG it has the capacity of 4 Gbit, 4 of them have 16 Gbit = 2 Gbyte (assuming 8bit are still one byte).

So @internetzel should add WX4130 using the Elpida VRAM information