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

[monofase]

No, a 780m die gets hot within the first few seconds it's on. Even though there is no EFI screen. But as it stands, you make it sound like the iMac isn't booting at all. Like there is something wrong with your card, stopping the iMac from booting. The pressure from incorrect thermal pads can bend the card enough to damage it. Which style heatsink do you have.
[doublepost=1555449410][/doublepost]
When you say it doesn't turn on, do the fans spin for a quarter second and the machine turns off? Makes me think something was shorted on your card. Or the die wasn't making good contact. Pictures please, I've never delt with 6xx card only 7xx cards.

No, it turns on but no chime and fans running at full speed. No image on the internal LCD.
It's very strange, because it worked and then shut down immediately after the login screen...

Tomorrow I will post the pics. I got the 675 instead of the 7xx because the ebay seller has mistaken the model

 

[highvoltage12v]

No, it turns on but no chime and fans running at full speed. No image on the internal LCD.
It's very strange, because it worked and then shut down immediately after the login screen...

Tomorrow I will post the pics. I got the 675 instead of the 7xx because the ebay seller has mistaken the model

The fans running at full speed part has me concerned. Usually iMacs will do that when an incompatible CPU is installed. See what happens when the faulty card is installed again.

 

[liquidtwitch]

But as it stands, you make it sound like the iMac isn't booting at all.

My mac wouldn't boot at all with a HP Quadro K3000m, there didn't look like there was any shorting or anything the card was just faulty as far as I could tell.

 

[highvoltage12v]

My mac wouldn't boot at all with a HP Quadro K3000m, there didn't look like there was any shorting or anything the card was just faulty as far as I could tell.

We both came to the conclusion that the card was faulty. My 765m was faulty the same way. But that could have been because the heatsink wasn't modified before the card was installed.

 

[kral84]

must i install befor install my nvidia card ?or have osx build in nvidia driver? can i install plag and play and the update the driver? i have buy me an GTX860 i hope i must not use heatsink mod

 

[FlorisVN]

must i install befor install my nvidia card ?or have osx build in nvidia driver? can i install plag and play and the update the driver? i have buy me an GTX860 i hope i must not use heatsink mod

compatible kepler cards won't need Nvidia drivers at all.
most Dell/Alienware cards work OOB withouth Nvidia drivers as far as I know..

You must do a heatsink mod, I highly recommend it !

 

[DManno3]

We both came to the conclusion that the card was faulty. My 765m was faulty the same way. But that could have been because the heatsink wasn't modified before the card was installed.

SUCCESS!!! BUT... YOU NEED TO INSTALL THE 'NVIDIA WEB DRIVER' BEFORE YOU INSTALL THE NEW CARD!!!! Guys see pictures below old and new graphics card. NOT AVAILABLE FROM NVIDIA WEBSITE. CORRECT SITE: https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/t...tes-for-macos-high-sierra-update-apr-02-2019/

I also Installed the NVIDIA CUDA Driver as well just to be safe.

NOTE: I DID NOT MODIFY THE HEAT SINK BUT I MADE SURE THAT THE THERMAL COMPOUND DOES CONNECT TO THE HEAT SINK with COMPOUND PASTE AND PADS.

Now my question is:
Is there a software I can download to create a Boot screen?? Even if its very basic I would just like to have one.
Can I now virtually split my disk in half to run windows to play games??? Will booting into windows give problems???

Amazingly I got fed up last night trying to install it i.e. I tried intalling and booting the new graphics card twice and just went to bed. The morning I woke up I said to myself (as the new graphics card was still in the imac 27" 2011) "I'll try my extreme luck and just turn it on before I take it out again and BOOM, I guess God cut me a break . Weird that it just decided to work."
[doublepost=1555499501][/doublepost]

We both came to the conclusion that the card was faulty. My 765m was faulty the same way. But that could have been because the heatsink wasn't modified before the card was installed.

Now my question is:
Is there a software I can download to create a Boot screen?? Even if its very basic I would just like to have one.
Can I now virtually split my disk in half to run windows to play games??? Will booting into windows give problems???

 

[FlorisVN]

SUCCESS!!! BUT... YOU NEED TO INSTALL THE 'NVIDIA WEB DRIVER' BEFORE YOU INSTALL THE NEW CARD!!!! Guys see pictures below old and new graphics card. NOT AVAILABLE FROM NVIDIA WEBSITE. CORRECT SITE: https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/t...tes-for-macos-high-sierra-update-apr-02-2019/

I also Installed the NVIDIA CUDA Driver as well just to be safe.

NOTE: I DID NOT MODIFY THE HEAT SINK BUT I MADE SURE THAT THE THERMAL COMPOUND DOES CONNECT TO THE HEAT SINK with COMPOUND PASTE AND PADS.

Now my question is:
Is there a software I can download to create a Boot screen?? Even if its very basic I would just like to have one.
Can I now virtually split my disk in half to run windows to play games??? Will booting into windows give problems???

Amazingly I got fed up last night trying to install it i.e. I tried intalling and booting the new graphics card twice and just went to bed. The morning I woke up I said to myself (as the new graphics card was still in the imac 27" 2011) "I'll try my extreme luck and just turn it on before I take it out again and BOOM, I guess God cut me a break . Weird that it just decided to work."
[doublepost=1555499501][/doublepost]

Now my question is:
Is there a software I can download to create a Boot screen?? Even if its very basic I would just like to have one.
Can I now virtually split my disk in half to run windows to play games??? Will booting into windows give problems???

Bootscreen is not possible withouth a vbios EFI mod.
Since there is not a EFI vbios released as of yet, a bootscreen is impossible.

I would also strongy advise to mod your heatsink to make proper contact, and use K4/k5 Pro..
As far as I know Bootcamp gives a blackscreen on most cards, some have got it to work somehow.
I still don't with my GTX765m iMac's..

 

[DManno3]

Bootscreen is not possible withouth a vbios EFI mod.
Since there is not a EFI vbios released as of yet, a bootscreen is impossible.

I would also strongy advise to mod your heatsink to make proper contact, and use K4/k5 Pro..
As far as I know Bootcamp gives a blackscreen on most cards, some have got it to work somehow.
I still don't with my GTX765m iMac's..

So you’re saying ‘Booting windows is not possible with my Gtx 780m?’
[doublepost=1555507707][/doublepost]

We both came to the conclusion that the card was faulty. My 765m was faulty the same way. But that could have been because the heatsink wasn't modified before the card was installed.

I downloaded fortnite for mac, its very laggy even loading up, the sound is glitchy, on the main screen where your character is just standing, its lagging very bad... How can I remove the huge lag???

 

[mikehalloran]

How much money are people spending on this?

 

[monofase]

The fans running at full speed part has me concerned. Usually iMacs will do that when an incompatible CPU is installed. See what happens when the faulty card is installed again.

Here are the pics. Tried with another AMD working card, and does the same! I will try now with the faulty one.
The AMD is from IMAC 2011 27.

 

[highvoltage12v]

SUCCESS!!! BUT... YOU NEED TO INSTALL THE 'NVIDIA WEB DRIVER' BEFORE YOU INSTALL THE NEW CARD!!!! Guys see pictures below old and new graphics card. NOT AVAILABLE FROM NVIDIA WEBSITE. CORRECT SITE: https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/t...tes-for-macos-high-sierra-update-apr-02-2019/

Not true, Mac OS 10.11-10.14 has drivers built in for Kelper cards which is why we're using them. And please STOP YELLING. Well I finally know you have a 6770m Since you never provided me details the last 6 posts, which means you have the shorter heatsink. While you were in there you probably should have upgraded your CPU to a 2600 non K. Boot camp on the 27"/780m in Windows will give you no backlight as stated by @FlorisVN. And you should put k5 Pro on your VRam which is probably help with lagging in fortnite. Also you are running on a i5 2500 what do you expect.
[doublepost=1555514837][/doublepost]

Here are the pics. Tried with another AMD working card, and does the same! I will try now with the faulty one.
The AMD is from IMAC 2011 27.

Here are the pics. Tried with another AMD working card, and does the same! I will try now with the faulty one.
The AMD is from IMAC 2011 27.

From IMG_3274 it appears you got thermal paste on your MXM contacts. Please clean that, and carefully check/clean your MXM slot.

 

[monofase]

Not true, Mac OS 10.11-10.14 has drivers built in for Kelper cards which is why we're using them. And please STOP YELLING. Well I finally know you have a 6770m Since you never provided me details the last 6 posts, which means you have the shorter heatsink. While you were in there you probably should have upgraded your CPU to a 2600 non K. Boot camp on the 27"/780m in Windows will give you no backlight in windows as stated by @FlorisVN. And you should put k5 Pro on your VRam which is probably help with lagging in fortnite. You are running on a i5 2500...
[doublepost=1555514837][/doublepost]

From IMG_3274 it appears you got thermal paste on your MXM contacts. Please clean that, and carefully check/clean your MXM slot.

Thank you,
the thermal paste is there after I removed the card from the heatsink! Now I will try to clean and put it back

Before mounting it, I tried the card w/o heatsink and the machine shuts down right after login. I thought it was for the missing heatsink and sensor, is it right?

 

[highvoltage12v]

Thank you,
the thermal paste is there after I removed the card from the heatsink! Now I will try to clean and put it back

Before mounting it, I tried the card w/o heatsink and the machine shuts down right after login. I thought it was for the missing heatsink and sensor, is it right?

If you can, enable automatic login/screen sharing and boot the iMac with no MXM card installed at all. I have a hunch that you have a power supply issue and right after login the CPU is demanding alot of energy.

Do you have access to another power supply from a 2010/2009 model https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/133630/power+supply+compatible+parts

 

[monofase]

If you can, enable automatic login/screen sharing and boot the iMac with no MXM card installed at all. I have a hunch that you have a power supply issue and right after login the CPU is demanding alot of energy.

Do you have access to another power supply from a 2010/2009 model https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/133630/power+supply+compatible+parts

I tested with the faulty card (No heatsink)
The card runs VERY hot also if I keep it powered on just for some seconds.
NO more stripes on the screen (faulty card!!) but even with its original card it won't boot. This machine shuts down before the login screen...

Yes, I can do that! I put the SSD in another machine and enable auto login and screen sharing

I do have PSU only from 2011 imacs...

 

[highvoltage12v]

I tested with the faulty card (No heatsink)
The card runs VERY hot also if I keep it powered on just for some seconds.
NO more stripes on the screen (faulty card!!) but even with its original card it won't boot. This machine shuts down before the login screen...

Yes, I can do that! I put the SSD in another machine and enable auto login and screen sharing

I do have PSU only from 2011 imacs...

I believe from what iFixit just said the 2011 has a different part number unfortunately, I was thinking the same thing untill I read that. What's the history on this iMac? Was it an eBay iMac that someone could have swapped parts with before selling? The PSU on the 2009-2010 (basically the same iMac both years) iMacs are known for having issues which is why I'm leaning towards that. I don't think it's logic board Related. You can also hold 'shift' at startup to boot safe mode.

The iMac will fully run, just throttled down/fans full speed if any thermal sensors are unplugged. Without any heatsink on the original ATI card it will run boiling hot. So hot I think you just reflowed it lol.



Edit: I'm seeing eBay listings such as this https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-310W-P...11-02-661-5972-for-A1312-iMac-27/231203694131 and
https://www.ebay.com/itm/614-0501-D...ac-27-2009-2010-2011-ADP-310AF-B/163607513833
that list all 3 model years as compatible. If you want to try the 2011 power supply in the 2010, look them both over and try at your own risk. I don't own a 27" 2010 so I can't confirm compatibility. I think it will work.

 

[passatgt]

When i installed my 780M, i first seated the card without the heatsink, hold it in place on the corner with my finger and just plugged in an external monitor(i did not connect the main screen) and waited for the login screen to load to make sure everything is ok. It didn't get too hot, i could still touch it with my fingers after i turned off the machine. So this way you can eliminate shorting/heatsink issues. If it doesn't work like this, its possible the card is dead... if you have a PC laying around, you could get an MXM adapter and see if it works with Windows. Also i used heatpads, but i cut them up for smaller pieces that covers only the vrams, and i stacked 0.5mm versions to sit them flush with the gpu die. I don't have any heat issues.

 

[monofase]

I believe from what iFixit just said the 2011 has a different part number unfortunately, I was thinking the same thing untill I read that. What's the history on this iMac? Was it an eBay iMac that someone could have swapped parts with before selling? The PSU on the 2009-2010 (basically the same iMac both years) iMacs are known for having issues which is why I'm leaning towards that. I don't think it's logic board Related. You can also hold 'shift' at startup to boot safe mode.

The iMac will fully run, just throttled down/fans full speed if any thermal sensors are unplugged. Without any heatsink on the original ATI card it will run boiling hot. So hot I think you just reflowed it lol.



Edit: I'm seeing eBay listings such as this https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-310W-P...11-02-661-5972-for-A1312-iMac-27/231203694131 and
https://www.ebay.com/itm/614-0501-D...ac-27-2009-2010-2011-ADP-310AF-B/163607513833
that list all 3 model years as compatible. If you want to try the 2011 power supply in the 2010, look them both over and try at your own risk. I don't own a 27" 2010 so I can't confirm compatibility. I think it will work.

The mac works fine w/o GPU! Enabled screen sharing and I can access the machine from remote and it does not shut down.
My iMac is from 2009 and It's from a customer. He gave me the machine because of the broken card. When I opened it it was w/o hard drive and the LCD panel cables unplugged.

I also think it's a PSU issue, because I need to push everytime 2 times the power switch to power it on.. It's strange!
Can I try to swap the PSU with a 2011 one? is it safe?
[doublepost=1555531297][/doublepost]

When i installed my 780M, i first seated the card without the heatsink, hold it in place on the corner with my finger and just plugged in an external monitor(i did not connect the main screen) and waited for the login screen to load to make sure everything is ok. It didn't get too hot, i could still touch it with my fingers after i turned off the machine. So this way you can eliminate shorting/heatsink issues. If it doesn't work like this, its possible the card is dead... if you have a PC laying around, you could get an MXM adapter and see if it works with Windows. Also i used heatpads, but i cut them up for smaller pieces that covers only the vrams, and i stacked 0.5mm versions to sit them flush with the gpu die. I don't have any heat issues.

Where can I find an MXM to PCI-E adapter?I searched on aliexpress but they are so expensive!
I also have an HP All In one PC with MXM slot. I can test the card in this machine but it does have the SMALL MXM slot and no heatsink
So, physically I can't insert the nVidia card

 

[highvoltage12v]

The mac works fine w/o GPU! Enabled screen sharing and I can access the machine from remote and it does not shut down.
My iMac is from 2009 and It's from a customer. He gave me the machine because of the broken card. When I opened it it was w/o hard drive and the LCD panel cables unplugged.

I also think it's a PSU issue, because I need to push everytime 2 times the power switch to power it on.. It's strange!
Can I try to swap the PSU with a 2011 one? is it safe?
[doublepost=1555531297][/doublepost]

Where can I find an MXM to PCI-E adapter?I searched on aliexpress but they are so expensive!
I also have an HP All In one PC with MXM slot. I can test the card in this machine but it does have the SMALL MXM slot and no heatsink
So, physically I can't insert the nVidia card

I see more and more listings saying that the PSU they have for sale (614-0476) works in all 3 model years. It looks like apple didn't change the connectors or anything.
https://m.newegg.com/products/9SIAA7W8UR1304 I say give it a try.

 

[passatgt]

The mac works fine w/o GPU! Enabled screen sharing and I can access the machine from remote and it does not shut down.
My iMac is from 2009 and It's from a customer. He gave me the machine because of the broken card. When I opened it it was w/o hard drive and the LCD panel cables unplugged.

I also think it's a PSU issue, because I need to push everytime 2 times the power switch to power it on.. It's strange!
Can I try to swap the PSU with a 2011 one? is it safe?
[doublepost=1555531297][/doublepost]

Where can I find an MXM to PCI-E adapter?I searched on aliexpress but they are so expensive!
I also have an HP All In one PC with MXM slot. I can test the card in this machine but it does have the SMALL MXM slot and no heatsink
So, physically I can't insert the nVidia card

I think this one works? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/PCI...s-X1-to-MXM-3-0-Raiser-Riser/32952012735.html
Its $20, not that expensive.

 

[monofase]

I think this one works? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/PCI...s-X1-to-MXM-3-0-Raiser-Riser/32952012735.html
Its $20, not that expensive.

I saw also this one, but where are the video output connectors? It's using the integrated connectors on the logic board?

Because it says... "
Function: for graphics card mining
"

 

[FlorisVN]

I saw also this one, but where are the video output connectors? It's using the integrated connectors on the logic board?

Because it says... "
Function: for graphics card mining
"

with an adapter like this, i would say use onboard video from the motherboard or use another external pci/pci express graphics card sideways.
The OS would see the MXM card connected trough the adapter I presume, and this way you can I think also flash the vbios of a mxm card..
I think a good alternative solution for people out there who don't have an eeprom clipper programmer, or a laptop.
But just want to test and flash a MXM card in a standard pc.. ?
[doublepost=1555600488][/doublepost]

I see more and more listings saying that the PSU they have for sale (614-0476) works in all 3 model years. It looks like apple didn't change the connectors or anything.
https://m.newegg.com/products/9SIAA7W8UR1304 I say give it a try.

Correct PSU for 27" is the same across 2009-2010 models..

 

[highvoltage12v]

with an adapter like this, i would say use onboard video from the motherboard or use another external pci/pci express graphics card sideways.
The OS would see the MXM card connected trough the adapter I presume, and this way you can I think also flash the vbios of a mxm card..
I think a good alternative solution for people out there who don't have an eeprom clipper programmer, or a laptop.
But just want to test and flash a MXM card in a standard pc.. ?
[doublepost=1555600488][/doublepost]

Correct PSU for 27" is the same across 2009-2010 models..

But he wants to use a 2011 year power supply in an 09 iMac. Have you tried that before?

 

[FlorisVN]

So you’re saying ‘Booting windows is not possible with my Gtx 780m?’

no I did not say that, only keep in mind most compatible nvidia cards show no backlight within bootcamp.
for example my GTX765m did not, and like @highvoltage12v stated his GTX780M also does not give backlight on Bootcamp.

My GT765M does however gives fine display on bootcamp using a external monitor
[doublepost=1555600703][/doublepost]

But he wants to use a 2011 year power supply in an 09 iMac. Have you tried that before?

I presume should work fine.
Since these models from 2009,2010 and 2011 27" are all using the same power supply..

 

[micro17]

Only one external monitor works with GTX765M.
I think this is the same for the GTX770/780M Dell/Alienware versions..

I have testes this and confirmed with a thunderbolt to hdmi adapter, and the fullnhd monitor worked fine.
I think higher resolutions are also supported, but I have not tested them myself.

Alright thanks a lot!

One more Question: is Target Display Mode working with these cards? I use my iMac alot as an external Display. Wonder in Mojave Even Supports this Feature as new iMacs do Not have it (which is a Shame)