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

[madvinegar]

I have OCLP v0.6.3 and Ventura macOS 13.2.1 working well with DRM (AppleTV and Apple Music videos). It was not working until I upgraded to that version of OCLP.

Any chance you (or anyone) has Ventura macOS 13.3.1 on OCLP v0.6.3 installed and could tell me if there is still success with DRM on the iMac 2011's? I'd hate to mess up a good thing by upgrading to latest Ventura if it breaks DRM.

I have updated to OCLP 0.64 and to Ventura 13.3.1.
Apple TV works fine. Please see the attached extremely short video. Hope I don't break any copyright laws, but it was the only way to show you it is working as the screen capture (even for screenshots), does not capture the video playback of AppleTV. If the admins think it is not ok to post this video, they can ofcourse delete it.

 

[BadBiscuit]

I have updated to OCLP 0.64 and to Ventura 13.3.1.
Apple TV works fine. Please see the attached extremely short video. Hope I don't break any copyright laws, but it was the only way to show you it is working as the screen capture (even for screenshots), does not capture the video playback of AppleTV. If the admins think it is not ok to post this video, they can ofcourse delete it.

Thanks for confirming @madvinegar. I upgraded to the same versions, though on a 27" 2011 with WX7100, oddly my results are a bit different. Apple Music videos still work fine, and I can watch CODA on AppleTV+, but not Ted Lasso, Tetris and other newer shows. The window launches but then immediately closes before the show starts. Trying to download any shows results in an err #12167, so it appears there is still some DRM issues in play, but good enough for my purposes, and perhaps something that will sort itself out over time. With OCLP 0.6.3 and Ventura 12.2.1 I may have just got lucky, or not tested it thoroughly enough to notice the issue.

UPDATE: For the record, I did try disconnecting my dock with external display, and reinstalling OCLP and re-running its POST without resolution. Within AppleTV+ I reset the cache, and after that it would not even play CODA, so I suspect the only reason it had played was that DRM had used the cache for that one.

Update #2 (4/24): As @madvinegar stated; with time AppleTV+ and iTunes both now playing videos without issue under OCLP 0.6.4 and Ventura 13.3.1. I guess Apple has to learn to trust it again, for other than time nothing on the system changed. Just wanted to clear that up so others don't shy away from upgrading to Ventura, based on the thought that DRM is broken; they should expect it may act broken for a few days.

 

[madvinegar]

Thanks for confirming @madvinegar. I upgraded to the same versions, though on a 27" 2011 with WX7100, oddly my results are a bit different. Apple Music videos still work fine, and I can watch CODA on AppleTV+, but not Ted Lasso, Tetris and other newer shows. The window launches but then immediately closes before the show starts. Trying to download any shows results in an err #12167, so it appears there is still some DRM issues in play, but good enough for my purposes, and perhaps something that will sort itself out over time. With OCLP 0.6.3 and Ventura 12.2.1 I may have just got lucky, or not tested it thoroughly enough to notice the issue.

UPDATE: For the record, I did try disconnecting my dock with external display, and reinstalling OCLP and re-running its POST without resolution. Within AppleTV+ I reset the cache, and after that it would not even play CODA, so I suspect the only reason it had played was that DRM had used the cache for that one.

I had this same problem when I first updated from Monterey to Ventura. Then it sorted itself out. Probably you need to leave the iMac working for some time so as all the libraries to be updated.
I will check tomorrow Ted Lasso just in case and I will revert.

EDIT: Ted Lasso plays OK. As I said, leave the iMac working for some time, then do a reboot and try again.

 

[pumpkinm]

I made a small app that fixes the color-depth issue at startup for some cards, like the 780M with @nikey22's ROM. After startup, start this app, the screen should turn black for a second and the colors/performance should be good to go. Appears to be working fine for me but obviously needs some testing first. Previously i had to put my iMac to sleep at least once or change screen resolution back and forth to fix this problem, now its a bit faster as i set it up in a way that it runs automatically on startup.

Download: https://github.com/passatgt/imac-color-depth-fix

Usage: just simply double click imaccolordepthfix to run. You can add it to your login items(system settings/users/login items), so it runs on a fresh startup automatically.

Hi! I have the same problem (low color depth) on K3000M with @nikey22 BIOS. But imac-color-depth-fix requires MacOS v.11. Can you recompile it for High Sierra compatible?

 

[farscaper]

Does anyone know why Macs Fan Control in High Sierra it picks up the CPU's GPU sensor and in higher Os's it doesn't?

 

[maccoops]

Using the flashrom software on your Mac
​

It is not the first post about this. This software has a command line interface only. You need at least some knowledge how to handle this. Installation is quite easy (content copied for this external post).

Installing the software:​

1. Press Command+Space and type Terminal and press enter/return key.
2. Run in Terminal app (enter this line of command code):
   ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)" < /dev/null 2> /dev/null or on Monterey /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
   and press enter/return key.
   If the screen prompts you to enter a password, please enter your Mac's user password to continue. When you type the password, it won't be displayed on screen, but the system would accept it. So just type your password and press ENTER/RETURN key. Then wait for the command to finish.
3. Run in the terminal:
   brew install flashrom

Using the software:

1. Press Command+Space and type Terminal and press enter/return key.
2. Run in Terminal app (enter this line of command code to read from you BIOS the content and store it into the file named ORIG.ROM):
   flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -r ORIG.ROM
   and press enter/return key.
3. To write the content of the file named K1100.ROM into your BIOS:
   flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w K1100.ROM

Caveats:

Using nvflash on Linux and Windows to read the contents of a video BIOS ends up in a file with a smaller content size. The software reads only non zero bytes and stops after reaching the EOF (End OF File) marker.

Unfortunately the clip can only write full size files, i.e. if the chip has a size of 512K and the file is smaller you have to enlarge the file with ZERO bytes. This is done in the terminal app, too. Enter brew install truncate to install another command line utility and to enlarge a small-file.rom to the size of 512K (524288 = 1024x512) enter this command truncate -s 524288 small-file.rom . It expands a smaller BIOS file named small-file.rom (in place) to the full size padding with zero. truncate needs brew, so do not try the second step after the first installing brew. First make a copy of the smaller file just in case something goes wrong.

Most NVIDIA cards have 256K, most AMD cards 512K BIOS chips.

I have a clip on order, and plan to flash an MXM-A card (K2100M) using my MBP prior to installing in my iMac, as described in this post. Should I be following the instructions in that post? I just have a bit of doubt, I'm looking for confirmation that the GRML tool is not required for me, and is only applicable if planning to flash the card once it has been installed in the iMac.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

I have a clip on order, and plan to flash an MXM-A card (K2100M) using my MBP prior to installing in my iMac, as described in this post. Should I be following the instructions in that post? I just have a bit of doubt, I'm looking for confirmation that the GRML tool is not required for me, and is only applicable if planning to flash the card once it has been installed in the iMac.

You can skip the GRML tool, as its purpose is to flash the vBIOS, which you have completed.

 

[ChrizLoud]

Does anyone know why Macs Fan Control in High Sierra it picks up the CPU's GPU sensor and in higher Os's it doesn't?

Using OCLP the integrated gpu is deactivated and not used if i understand correctly.

 

[mcmarcel]

I just got the same card [Genuine HP Zbook 17 G2 NVIDIA QUADRO K1100M 2GB LAPTOP VIDEO CARD 734276-001] from eBay for about $50.

I have a Late 2009 27 inch i5 2.66GHZ model. I installed the card but I am getting a black screen, and only chime when I power on. NO display and it chimes a couple of times like it's trying to start but then nothing happens. My question, how did you get this card to work?

I am assuming I still have to flash it, but what is the best way to do that? I don't have another computer. I have been reading the thread but just overwhelmed with the amount of info and what I need to do.

Since you have the exact card, can you list what and how you did it to make it work? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance!

Hello sosa13: Have you been able to made it work your K1100M card with iMac? To be honest I have also exactly same issue after install this card in my iMacs (tried 2011 and 2009) and both same result. No screen, hear chime when power on, then it pause and reset again with chime. Did the PRAM reset but no luck. Still the same result. Tried install imac original card and iMac boots just fine. Mine card also cae from HP Zbook. If you remember how you resolve it, then pls let me know. Thx in advance.

 

[me_bayed]

G'day to all.
Having perused this post and the bluetooth upgrade post for many an hour, I would like to thank and congratulate all concerned with collating and pooling all the useful information regarding these updates.
Without the expertise of the contributors and admin I can safely say that I would never have managed to complete the upgrades to my iMac alone.
I salute your know-how and hope that you feel some gratitude knowing that I have been well educated during this process.
End result as shown; iMac 12,1 i7 32GB with SSD running Monterey and WIN10 through Quadro K2100M using independantly powered BCM94331CD BT4.0/Wifi card.
Operating flawlessly, I am stoked with the result.
To all those attempting this project, stick with it, if I can do it, anyone can! I will try and answer questions if needed.
Thank You.

 

[maccoops]

G'day to all.
Having perused this post and the bluetooth upgrade post for many an hour, I would like to thank and congratulate all concerned with collating and pooling all the useful information regarding these updates.
Without the expertise of the contributors and admin I can safely say that I would never have managed to complete the upgrades to my iMac alone.
I salute your know-how and hope that you feel some gratitude knowing that I have been well educated during this process.
End result as shown; iMac 12,1 i7 32GB with SSD running Monterey and WIN10 through Quadro K2100M using independantly powered BCM94331CD BT4.0/Wifi card.
Operating flawlessly, I am stoked with the result.
To all those attempting this project, stick with it, if I can do it, anyone can! I will try and answer questions if needed.
Thank You.

Well done and congrats!
It is encouraging to see this post now, as I am doing the exact same more or less with my iMac 12,2. Mine is completely disassembled awaiting arrival of GPU (K2100M) and BCM94331CD. Might do CPU while I am here, and bios battery is on order as well. I installed and successfully tested an SDD during the disassembly process. I just hope that I can remember how to put it all back together in a week's time!
Did you have any problems with getting all those cables plugged back in? I'm worried about getting the logic board installed without trapping something behind it to be honest.
Also how was the application of the thermal paste? I'm worried about the having the right amount of paste on the memory modules.

 

[me_bayed]

Well done and congrats!
It is encouraging to see this post now, as I am doing the exact same more or less with my iMac 12,2. Mine is completely disassembled awaiting arrival of GPU (K2100M) and BCM94331CD. Might do CPU while I am here, and bios battery is on order as well. I installed and successfully tested an SDD during the disassembly process. I just hope that I can remember how to put it all back together in a week's time!
Did you have any problems with getting all those cables plugged back in? I'm worried about getting the logic board installed without trapping something behind it to be honest.
Also how was the application of the thermal paste? I'm worried about the having the right amount of paste on the memory modules.

Only advice I can give here is to take plenty of pictures before dissassembly. It helps a lot when you forget what goes where!
Make sure that only High Sierra is installed at time of vbios flash, if you plan to use wifi to ssh into flash vbios then you will need the old wifi card in place too, i used the ipad app Terminal to ssh commands.
I tested the usb stick with GRML-Flash on extensively before attempting to flash vbios in place, I have purchased a bios flashing clip but it hadnt turned up by the time I wanted to complete this project, it will make the process a lot more seamless. If you become familiar with the process and write down the key strokes it is possible to use wifi as previously mentioned.
As far as the gpu thermal paste is concerned I used the recommended single line accross the gpu. I didnt use paste on the vram chips as I hadnt planned for the chips being at a much lower height as the gpu, crazy I know but I dont mind replacing card if it becomes an issue. Besides, there are ram chips on both sides and one side is hard up againt the mobo with nowhere for the heat to dissipate except through the board. If I were to do the job again I would probably use a thermal pad type arrangement for the vram.

 

[beblack568]

Hi there. I just bought a 27" iMac 2011 with core i7 2600, 16 gb in ram @1600 MHz, a 512 gb SSD and AMD 6970m 2 gb for $70 us dollars with a power button and motherboard failure that is working now. So I think I got a super offer and I want to spend some money in the "best" GPU i can upgrade for this machine.

Money is not a problem at all for the upgrade. In the tab posted I have seen WX7100 is the best Radeon pro I can use but I have seen on internet some pics using Quadros with 8 gb not listed on this tab.

Which GPU should be the best for gaming on this machine? I have read Radeon performs better than Nvidia even if Nvidia card is faster so I am a bit lost on this

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hi there. I just bought a 27" iMac 2011 with core i7 2600, 16 gb in ram @1600 MHz, a 512 gb SSD and AMD 6970m 2 gb for $70 us dollars with a power button and motherboard failure that is working now. So I think I got a super offer and I want to spend some money in the "best" GPU i can upgrade for this machine.

Money is not a problem at all for the upgrade. In the tab posted I have seen WX7100 is the best Radeon pro I can use but I have seen on internet some pics using Quadros with 8 gb not listed on this tab.

Which GPU should be the best for gaming on this machine? I have read Radeon performs better than Nvidia even if Nvidia card is faster so I am a bit lost on this

For gaming purpose: GTX 1070m or Quadro P5200m, for sure.
If money is not a problem.

 

[Dog Knight]

I just hope that I can remember how to put it all back together in a week's time!
Did you have any problems with getting all those cables plugged back in? I'm worried about getting the logic board installed without trapping something behind it to be honest.

I found the Apple Technical Documentation useful. It run's through all stages of assembly and teardown. Also includes diagrams with labels for each port / connector.

As referenced in some of the posts, having an external display to test things are working before complete reassembly. And make sure you test things thoroughly.

I had the same issue you are worried about. I had the ODD temp sensor missing behind the logic board. Only realised I missed it when I checked Mac Fans Control and wasn't getting a temp reading for the ODD.

 

[maccoops]

I found the Apple Technical Documentation useful. It run's through all stages of assembly and teardown. Also includes diagrams with labels for each port / connector.

As referenced in some of the posts, having an external display to test things are working before complete reassembly. And make sure you test things thoroughly.

I had the same issue you are worried about. I had the ODD temp sensor missing behind the logic board. Only realised I missed it when I checked Mac Fans Control and wasn't getting a temp reading for the ODD.

Thanks, will do. I've googled and searched this thread but can't find the Apple resource you mentioned. Do you have a link handy to share, please?

 

[m0bil]

Hi there. I just bought a 27" iMac 2011 with core i7 2600, 16 gb in ram @1600 MHz, a 512 gb SSD and AMD 6970m 2 gb for $70 us dollars with a power button and motherboard failure that is working now. So I think I got a super offer and I want to spend some money in the "best" GPU i can upgrade for this machine.

Money is not a problem at all for the upgrade. In the tab posted I have seen WX7100 is the best Radeon pro I can use but I have seen on internet some pics using Quadros with 8 gb not listed on this tab.

Which GPU should be the best for gaming on this machine? I have read Radeon performs better than Nvidia even if Nvidia card is faster so I am a bit lost on this

For windows gaming head to this thread, best option would be a Pascal card. Take into account these Maxwell and Pascal cards are only supported on macOS up to High Sierra.

 

[KipsDirtyWang]

Hello, I'm hoping somebody may be able to help. I have a HP K2100 GPU. I tried to change the bios using the USB method as I had done this in a previous machine which worked without a problem. After looking through here I've noticed that a chip programer is needed. So I have recently purchased one and tried to update the bios again. This time using the terminal commands provided in the original post. I saved the original Rom file and copied over the K2100 Rom which seemed to go smoothly once I got the clip making good connections. But once installed back into the machine I can only get the High Sierra OS to display. The boot screen stays dark and for the GPU it just displays as NVIDIA Chip. I have tried a SMC and PRAM reset but this only seemed to calm the fans.
I must say this site is great, I had an iMac in the loft for nearly 2 years before finding this place. This will be the 3rd old beauty going back out into the wild. If can fix these graphics
Thanks in advance.

 

[madvinegar]

Hello, I'm hoping somebody may be able to help. I have a HP K2100 GPU. I tried to change the bios using the USB method as I had done this in a previous machine which worked without a problem. After looking through here I've noticed that a chip programer is needed. So I have recently purchased one and tried to update the bios again. This time using the terminal commands provided in the original post. I saved the original Rom file and copied over the K2100 Rom which seemed to go smoothly once I got the clip making good connections. But once installed back into the machine I can only get the High Sierra OS to display. The boot screen stays dark and for the GPU it just displays as NVIDIA Chip. I have tried a SMC and PRAM reset but this only seemed to calm the fans.
I must say this site is great, I had an iMac in the loft for nearly 2 years before finding this place. This will be the 3rd old beauty going back out into the wild. If can fix these graphics
Thanks in advance.

Why did you need a chip programmer?
Could you re-install the amended bios via the gmrl USB over network?
Are you sure you installed the correct BIOS for this card? (according to the memory vendor of the card).

 

[KipsDirtyWang]

Why did you need a chip programmer?
Could you re-install the amended bios via the gmrl USB over network?
Are you sure you installed the correct BIOS for this card? (according to the memory vendor of the card).

Thought I needed the programer as I said before I'd tried to use the gmrl USB network method first. Couldn't seem to get it done. It was very straight forward with the 1st card I bought which was from Dell. This one I'm trying to do now is HP. I thought I'd read previous that a chip programer was needed. Wasn't expensive, so I got one.
I didn't try to re-install the amended bios USB over network as it didn't work the first 100 times trying it.
I'm not sure I installed the correct BIOS for the card as I only have 1 k2100 BIOS file to choose from.

 

[madvinegar]

Do you have

Thought I needed the programer as I said before I'd tried to use the gmrl USB network method first. Couldn't seem to get it done. It was very straight forward with the 1st card I bought which was from Dell. This one I'm trying to do now is HP. I thought I'd read previous that a chip programer was needed. Wasn't expensive, so I got one.
I didn't try to re-install the amended bios USB over network as it didn't work the first 100 times trying it.
I'm not sure I installed the correct BIOS for the card as I only have 1 k2100 BIOS file to choose from.

Do you have a close up & clear photo of the card? Both sides. If yes. please post it here.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thought I needed the programer as I said before I'd tried to use the gmrl USB network method first. Couldn't seem to get it done. It was very straight forward with the 1st card I bought which was from Dell. This one I'm trying to do now is HP. I thought I'd read previous that a chip programer was needed. Wasn't expensive, so I got one.
I didn't try to re-install the amended bios USB over network as it didn't work the first 100 times trying it.
I'm not sure I installed the correct BIOS for the card as I only have 1 k2100 BIOS file to choose from.

You surely did not flash the K2100M vBIOS from this thread - your own screen shot shows the wrong device-id. But you should without any problems be able to use the GRML USB directly on your iMac - obviously the current (non EFI) vBIOS is able to work with macOS, the same will be possibly with Linux.

Some people read and do not try - others try hard and do not read. You should simple have tried to run the GRML on your iMac.

 

[KipsDirtyWang]

Do you have

Do you have a close up & clear photo of the card? Both sides. If yes. please post it here.

Sadly I only have this picture of the front, I dunno if this will help ?

 

[KipsDirtyWang]

You surely did not flash the K2100M vBIOS from this thread - the screen shot shows the wrong device-id. But you should without any problems be able to use the GRML USB directly on your iMac - obviously the current (non EFI) vBIOS is able to work with macOS, the same will be possibly with Linux.

Some people read and do not try - others try hard and do not read. You should simple have tried to run the GRML on your iMac.

I used the k2100 file I got from the USB stick, I did have an older folder with Quadra Beta which had files in. But I thought the stick would have newer ROMS as I just downloaded it again.
I guess I'll try the USB iMac method again with the Quadra Beta ROMS ?

 

[maccoops]

I used the k2100 file I got from the USB stick, I did have an older folder with Quadra Beta which had files in. But I thought the stick would have newer ROMS as I just downloaded it again.
I guess I'll try the USB iMac method again with the Quadra Beta ROMS ?

I'll be flashing my K2100M if it ever arrives in the post, so I have found that there are two possible ROMs for this card. It looks like your card has Hynix memory modules - if so you need the ROM from this post. Hope that helps, good luck!