Hi ZZY159! Can you help me with the vbios and drivers flashing process? I cannot find the files or the right step by step. Thanks!!! I have a 2011 27inc Imac
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iM 4,1-14,4 2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade
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Hi. Bought an AMD WX3200 GPU from an Aliexpress vendor. The process was really easy
and along with an i7 2600s CPU and an SSD drive it runs excellently with a score of around
40 fps on Unigine. I'm running Big Sur and it's really stable. Eventually, would like to upgrade the OS
to Ventura. I've included the instructions in a pdf. The reason I got this model GPU was because the 4150
was out of stock.
and along with an i7 2600s CPU and an SSD drive it runs excellently with a score of around
40 fps on Unigine. I'm running Big Sur and it's really stable. Eventually, would like to upgrade the OS
to Ventura. I've included the instructions in a pdf. The reason I got this model GPU was because the 4150
was out of stock.
Attachments
Thanks for the comments, I confirm that after reading I tried to program the WX WX4130 with the USB utility and I have the following error, could you help me figure out what I'm doing wrong???
I used NOVEMBER RAIN.dmg with a usb memory
To rule out problems on the screen, I reconnected the old graphics card and the integrated screen works well, which makes me think that I need to be able to apply the flash to the WX4130 purchased on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/166076524480
You need to additionally pass "-f" to amdvbflash in order to force flashing the VBIOS.
So I ran into the black screen issue after resetting the PRAM after installing a GTX 770m but before flashing the vBios. I have since successfully flashed Nick's vBios but still have a black screen and can't disable SIP in macOS recovery to install the patch. My question is if I swap the SSD and GPU into another 2011 iMac would that just transfer the problem or possibly fix it? If that just transfers the problems does anyone have some ideas?
Hmm, your video card benchmark score really sucks ! 😬😁
Try to disable 2xAA (AntiAliasing), benchmark with 1920x1080.
The Full-HD score should be interesting (with a DualCore CPU) !
... Thank You
Check this post ....Hmm, your video card benchmark score really sucks ! 😬😁
Try to disable 2xAA (AntiAliasing), benchmark with 1920x1080.
The Full-HD score should be interesting (with a DualCore CPU) !
... Thank You
Performance RX 5500 XT:
- GeekBench Metal: > 40.000
- GeekBench OpenCL: > 40.000
- Valley: > 65 FPS, > 2729 (is more limited by GPU core and CPU frequency, not so much by resolution)
(resolution 2560x1440, quality low: 2716, medium 2703, high 2429, ultra 2157)
(resolution 1920x1080, quality low: 2729, medium 2729, high 2442, ultra 2396).
- MetalBench: 230 MRays/s
- PowerDraw: 19W idle - 95W max (observed by HWMonitor app)
I just re-ran some Valley benchmarks and without going into numbers:
Using standard settings does not utilize the card quite optimal, average power draw around 60W. But when moving on to higher settings like ultra quality and 2x or 4x or 8x AA the power draw hits on average the 75W wall while benchmark results barely drop - as visible from the list above.
Running the quite simple and short MetalBench draws 75W on average and it becomes quite clear this kind of app is better suited to get an idea of the GPU power running macOS.
Actually, I don't mind the Valley score.Hmm, your video card benchmark score really sucks ! 😬😁
Try to disable 2xAA (AntiAliasing), benchmark with 1920x1080.
The Full-HD score should be interesting (with a DualCore CPU) !
... Thank You
We know that it can be affected by some factors.
I just enjoy the fun of modding and the joy of success.
Ha ha....
Thank you, my bro.
As Ausdauersportler would say, we are an island of knowledge in the sea of barbarism. I'm kidding
I must admit that this score is very bad, for that card. But I admit that, you have achieved more than me.
Hi all! I'm tryin' to read every comment, but it feels like impossibru
So there's so much written there about MacOS and Windows, but what about Linux?
This is what I mean: after updating the Linux kernel to 5.15 or higher, you can forget about nVidia graphics cards (I mean Mac compatible nVidia cards). Okay, there is an opinion that you can survive until 5.19 by adding patches, but this is really not an option for a happy future. I currently have a gtx765m installed with one of the first firmwares, it works well and provides me a boot screen (and a tan from full screen brightness), but again, this is not an option if I want to update Ubuntu beyond 20.04. So, it's look for me like a little jump the shark, you know..
I sincerely tried to understand what was happening with the firmware for AMD video cards, but I only became more confused. So, I’ll try to ask a shorter question: is there any AMD video card that can be flashed with some firmware with a boot screen and at the same time it works on latest Linux kernels (like 6.5 on Ubuntu 23.10) with native drivers and full performance? Without dancing with files, patches, OpenCore and all of that stuf.
And thank you guys for everything you've done, it's truly a great job.
So there's so much written there about MacOS and Windows, but what about Linux?
This is what I mean: after updating the Linux kernel to 5.15 or higher, you can forget about nVidia graphics cards (I mean Mac compatible nVidia cards). Okay, there is an opinion that you can survive until 5.19 by adding patches, but this is really not an option for a happy future. I currently have a gtx765m installed with one of the first firmwares, it works well and provides me a boot screen (and a tan from full screen brightness), but again, this is not an option if I want to update Ubuntu beyond 20.04. So, it's look for me like a little jump the shark, you know..
I sincerely tried to understand what was happening with the firmware for AMD video cards, but I only became more confused. So, I’ll try to ask a shorter question: is there any AMD video card that can be flashed with some firmware with a boot screen and at the same time it works on latest Linux kernels (like 6.5 on Ubuntu 23.10) with native drivers and full performance? Without dancing with files, patches, OpenCore and all of that stuf.
And thank you guys for everything you've done, it's truly a great job.
iMac 27 2011 + WX7100 Ubuntu 22.04 latest kernel.Hi all! I'm tryin' to read every comment, but it feels like impossibru
So there's so much written there about MacOS and Windows, but what about Linux?
This is what I mean: after updating the Linux kernel to 5.15 or higher, you can forget about nVidia graphics cards (I mean Mac compatible nVidia cards). Okay, there is an opinion that you can survive until 5.19 by adding patches, but this is really not an option for a happy future. I currently have a gtx765m installed with one of the first firmwares, it works well and provides me a boot screen (and a tan from full screen brightness), but again, this is not an option if I want to update Ubuntu beyond 20.04. So, it's look for me like a little jump the shark, you know..
I sincerely tried to understand what was happening with the firmware for AMD video cards, but I only became more confused. So, I’ll try to ask a shorter question: is there any AMD video card that can be flashed with some firmware with a boot screen and at the same time it works on latest Linux kernels (like 6.5 on Ubuntu 23.10) with native drivers and full performance? Without dancing with files, patches, OpenCore and all of that stuf.
And thank you guys for everything you've done, it's truly a great job.
Attachments
Hello everyone,
I have an iMac 27" 12.2 from 2011. I got the WX4130 and installed it. I took the copper plate from the old graphics card.
I then installed the ROM via GRML using the Flash tool. I noticed that the memory is not 2GB but 4GB?
I then started OCLP. But I saw a picture on the external and not internal screen. The main screen was also mirrored on the left and right... Could it be that there is a short circuit? I have read a lot about this in the forum. WX4150_GOP.rom was flashed.
Logs:
Old SSID: 17B0
New SSID: 0B04
Old P/N: BR20625.001
New P/N: 113-L10991-101
Old DeviceID: 67E8
New DeviceID: 67E8
Old Product Name: Dell/Compal Crane 15 BaffinM GL LE A1 GDDR5 4GB 300e/300m
New Product Name: Pegatron BaffinM GL PRO A1 GDDR5 4GB 214e/300m
Old BIOS Version: 015.050.000.001.020625
New BIOS Version: 015.050.000.001.000000
Flash type: M25P40/c
Burst size is 256
80000/80000h bytes programmed
80000/80000h bytes verified
Restart System To Complete VBIOS Update.
./amdvbflash -f -p 0 WX4150_GOP_ALT_VRAM.rom 4.12s user 1.14s system 99% cpu 5.277 total
Best regards
I have an iMac 27" 12.2 from 2011. I got the WX4130 and installed it. I took the copper plate from the old graphics card.
I then installed the ROM via GRML using the Flash tool. I noticed that the memory is not 2GB but 4GB?
I then started OCLP. But I saw a picture on the external and not internal screen. The main screen was also mirrored on the left and right... Could it be that there is a short circuit? I have read a lot about this in the forum. WX4150_GOP.rom was flashed.
Logs:
Old SSID: 17B0
New SSID: 0B04
Old P/N: BR20625.001
New P/N: 113-L10991-101
Old DeviceID: 67E8
New DeviceID: 67E8
Old Product Name: Dell/Compal Crane 15 BaffinM GL LE A1 GDDR5 4GB 300e/300m
New Product Name: Pegatron BaffinM GL PRO A1 GDDR5 4GB 214e/300m
Old BIOS Version: 015.050.000.001.020625
New BIOS Version: 015.050.000.001.000000
Flash type: M25P40/c
Burst size is 256
80000/80000h bytes programmed
80000/80000h bytes verified
Restart System To Complete VBIOS Update.
./amdvbflash -f -p 0 WX4150_GOP_ALT_VRAM.rom 4.12s user 1.14s system 99% cpu 5.277 total
Best regards
Hi! Looks nice, but what about process? I mean, you flash the firmware, then dropped some files into the EFI partition or something like that? I'm looking' for the clean system with only Linux, and without fuss, if possible. Because things like patches and crutches are easy to forget, and somehow after the next update you can be stuck for a long time, remembering what was there.
I have to say thank you to you, your advice is right, I followed your advice, disable 2xAA, but benchmark with 2560x1440 fullscreen, got a higher score. MTB is about 220.Hmm, your video card benchmark score really sucks ! 😬😁
Try to disable 2xAA (AntiAliasing), benchmark with 1920x1080.
The Full-HD score should be interesting (with a DualCore CPU) !
... Thank You
And yes, my bro @mrlost , we're all students, and that's what this post is all about. We learn from each other, help each other. It's great !!
Attachments
I don't think the EFI partition will mess up any Linux partition. Unless you deliberately attempted to hack it from Linux. Maybe it's not needed to install or change the EFI partition, either. Just do a clean install of Linux distro.
You have two daughters at the university?
How do you think these two girls get their homework done?
1. By searching the net or a library for a hint and convert it into an idea or ansatz to solve the riddle the professor left to torture your poor little girls?
2. By entering a forum, posting the complete task, begging for help, getting a complete step by step idiot proof explanation and solution, and finally just copy and paste this into their homework? They surely do not forget to casually insult the fool helping them.
After observing your behavior I tend to believe your girls would prefer the 2nd approach like the father does.
I am not kidding!
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Did I understand correctly that the procedure is as follow
1. I install Linux with SSD wiping
2. I buy, for example, WX7100 card
3. I am flashing card with the latest GOP
4. Now I have a working Linux system with boot screen support
Is everything right? Or are there still some problems? I found this nice words: "this means you'll need OpenCore in order to have a boot picker", but isn't OpenCore just for MacOS?
My head could explode at any moment...
No, you will not! GOP vBIOS versions only work with OpenCore and will only provide access to the emulated OC boot picker. Please check the first post and the AMD GPU tables about the EFI vBIOS options especially for your iMac model. Not every AMD GPU listed will work flawlessly in all iMac models.
If you plan to use Linux you will find out how to flash a new GPU. Each Linux distribution comes with another boot loader which will be installed - surprise!! - in the EFI partition. But you can use OpenCore provided by OCLP to integrate a Linux installation into the OC boot loader which will be started from the EFI picker. Each Linux user will be able to achieve this easily. IMHO OC is be far superior in many, many aspects.
The docs have been prepared to avoid all these ever repeating Q & A sessions. Other users are either unwilling or simply unable to provide correct answers, I do not have the time and patience after more than four years here. At some point in time all kids should be able to walk alone.
Thank you for your kindness and concern for stupid users like me. However, after 9 hours of studying this manual, the OpenCore manual and everything else that my crooked hands could click on, my mental incompetence does not allow me to understand whether there is a simple opportunity to get a boot picker, stable work in Linux and nothing more. I didn’t ask how to flash a card, how to attach a cooler, or whatever-else-they-ask. We, the working class, are no strangers to this. But all I could find were a few screenshots and confirmation of my stupidity.
I apologize for wasting your time with my childish questions, now I’ll just pick up the toys and go. Apparently, stopping and leaving everything as it is would be the best choice.
It did not write and I did not mean stupid - just drop all your simple assumptions if you expect answers at all. I admit my patience is non existing - just because your initial post came up with other assumptions which you cannot back up with any documentation, only confusion. And apparently you missed the focal information, which is added several times to this post.
You did not ask how to flash, but you will unlikely get an EFI flashed AMD GPU, it is that simple.
There are no classes, no races, only humans. Some of them like to read, others not. Writing and reading has been the most successful form of knowledge transfer over generations for thousands of years. I wonder why we should give all this up just because it is soooo simple, easy, and convenient to drop questions somewhere in the internet. And do not believe an AI will solve your problems, it will only generate other text you do not want to read.
I should have simply answered: Go back to the first post, do not take 4000 Euro, just read it again!
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Ausdauersportler. Joking or not joking, my comment was in support of your work.
My daughters have been very well educated, and their academic performance has been rewarded with scholarships, for which I am very proud of them. Within education, they understood two basic concepts independent of anything, humility and empathy.
Ausdauersportler in case it's not clear to you, you are a hero for all of us, the new ones who don't understand much about Bios or vbios programming. And I will be eternally grateful for your work, remember that many of us are poor, living in poor countries where having a new Mac or PC is almost impossible. I send you a big hug brother.
Mr Lost, in case it is not clear to you: Just stop putting any words into my mouth! I prefer to speak for myself. Now you know at least how this can feel.
BTW:
There was not a single question about vBIOS programming on the last 100 pages, give or take. So this has never been a topic here lately. Do you need a hero?
Guess you are not living exactly in the so called first world, but believe me the problems (of the first world) we are creating with our full gas life on the autobahn left lane affects unfortunately the whole world but also on a faster and more intense scale or own environment. Less rain, dry summers, dropping water levels nation wide, plans to re-route rivers partially to prolong the party of naive politicians in and around Berlin, climate and temperature change is more excessive here than on average. We are going to pay a price for having easy or cheap access to new fancy Apple products. And I am not proud of this, I am not happy with this, you can believe me. Nothing I can really change. And the poorer people everywhere will pay a higher price!
Are you willing to pay the same price and are you willing to sacrifice the chances of your own kids for cheaper consumer product access now? Nothing is for free!
I am very impressed by your words, every time you write in this forum you surpass what you wrote previously.
Just when I think you can't surprise me anymore, you manage to surprise me again.
we are all ignorant, but we all ignore different things.
With Ausdauersportler's instruction, let's adjust your process a little bit. (Sorry for my ignorance previously)
I assume the below process will work.
1. Install Linux with new SSD (on a different machine)
2. Buy a preflashed AMD card WX7100. (Or buy WX7100 and flash it yourself)
3. Overwrite the Linux EFI by the original Mac OS EFI
4. Install OC EFI on the Linux SSD EFI (on a different Mac, adjust manually to match with iMac 2011 and GPU, Linux SSD in USB enclosure)
5. Install both Linux SSD and WX7100 into the iMac.
6. Now you will have iMac running Linux, with Opencore bootpicker.
Or this alternative process
1. Install Linux to a new SSD. (SSD1)
2. Move/overwrite the Linux partition from SSD1 (only Linux partition, not EFI partition) to the Mac OS SSD. (SSD 2)
3. Install Opencore EFI to the SSD 2.
4. Now install both SSD 2 and preflashed WX7100 to iMac.
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