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

[FlorisVN]

Hi!
I’ve purchased this card from AliExpress:

€ 51,32 | KaiFull CN-0D30WG D30WG K2000M N14P-Q3-A2 della Scheda Video grafica per Dell HP Precisione M4700 M4800 HP Elitebook 8560 w
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bYSczFBi

I’ve done all the work.

Now my iMac do the “boing” and nothing more.

I want to boot from Modded Mojave Installation USB stick in “blind” mode but nothing happen.

Power on with ALT for “about 30 seconds” then push 1 time right arrow then RETURN..... nothing. The usb stick led stay solid.

Obviously if I don’t press ALT to boot from internal SSD nothing happened because I’ve a Modded Mojave with video card patch.

Is there any way to know if the Video Card is “defective”?

Tomorrow I’ll check again all the cables but I’m pretty sure they have all connected......

Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot.

your link does not work.
Are you sure that is a Dell card.. ?

 

[lamerz78]

your link does not work.
Are you sure that is a Dell card.. ?

The seller said me yes....

Talking about boot from USB stick.....

With the K2000M I got black screen (I know it is normal).....in fact I trained to boot in “blind mode”.....30 second with ALT pressed, RIGHT ARROW 1 time, RETURN. But nothing happens.

Now someone told usb boot is not supported....is it true?

I know there isn’t bios support (Apple logo on grey screen....) but I figured that USB Boot is ok.....

Now I swapped the card to original one and the iMac runs without problem.

The last thing to try is to install Mojave patched WITHOUT video card support. Then disassemble everything, swap the video card again and try.....is it true?

 

[Roman78]

I booted Mojave installer from USB, but could not do anything without any screen output. So it boots from USB.

 

[lamerz78]

Ok I’ve formatted everything. Reinstalled Mojave. Now I have to apply the patch.

Is it correct to DESELECT Legacy Video Card?

Then I will swap the video card.

 

[FlorisVN]

Ok I’ve formatted everything. Reinstalled Mojave. Now I have to apply the patch.

Is it correct to DESELECT Legacy Video Card?

Then I will swap the video card.

View attachment 843200

DESELECT Legacy Video Card
Yes

Ok I’ve formatted everything. Reinstalled Mojave. Now I have to apply the patch.

Is it correct to DESELECT Legacy Video Card?

Then I will swap the video card.

View attachment 843200

Yes deselect legacy video card patch !
Not needed with upgraded metal gpu.

 

[lamerz78]

Ok thank you.

 

[ich558]

If i would like to reinstall macOS or maybe update to Catalina when a patcher is available i have to take out the SSD right?

 

[lamerz78]

DESELECT Legacy Video Card
Yes


Yes deselect legacy video card patch !
Not needed with upgraded metal gpu.

Nothing....black screen. I think the video card is defective/wrong model.
I’ve purchased another one: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.it/ulk/itm/143293505497

Another little question.....is it normal that the iMac boots ok without the legacy video card patch and the stock video card installed? I suppose to view nothing or glitches or artefact....finder is ok, mail is ok, safari (1 tab) is ok....(2/3 tab some glitches).....

I’ve not told you but don’t seem to be a issue.....I suppose.....my 21’5 iMac is modded with HARD DISK, SUPERDRIVE AND SSD.....Mojave is installed on the SSD....the HD is only storage.

 

[FlorisVN]

Nothing....black screen. I think the video card is defective/wrong model.
I’ve purchased another one: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.it/ulk/itm/143293505497

Another little question.....is it normal that the iMac boots ok without the legacy video card patch and the stock video card installed? I suppose to view nothing or glitches or artefact....finder is ok, mail is ok, safari (1 tab) is ok....(2/3 tab some glitches).....

I’ve not told you but don’t seem to be a issue.....I suppose.....my 21’5 iMac is modded with HARD DISK, SUPERDRIVE AND SSD.....Mojave is installed on the SSD....the HD is only storage.

I Think this card looks good and compatible :
https://www.ebay.it/itm/143293505497?ul_noapp=true

I'm wondering did you ever got a screen at all with HS ??
I have no experience with mojave and stock AMD card and Legacy video card patcher from dosdude1.
But I would reccomend you install HS on a small partition 1, this way you can always boot back into HS, and use startup disk to change to Mojave patcher installation if needed, to repatch the system.
Of course you can set Mojave with as primary startup disk after all.
doing a pram reset will always get you back into HS, so you can use startup disk selecter when needed..

This way is the best I think..

 

[lamerz78]

I Think this card looks good and compatible :
https://www.ebay.it/itm/143293505497?ul_noapp=true

.....

But I would reccomend you install HS on a small partition 1, this way you can always boot back into HS, and use startup disk to change to Mojave patcher installation if needed, to repatch the system.
Of course you can set Mojave with as primary startup disk after all.
doing a pram reset will always get you back into HS, so you can use startup disk selecter when needed..

This way is the best I think..

Is there a “guide” to have multiple os (HS and Mojave) and to set the “default”?

Another question.....if I put default Mojave and got Black Screen....and don’t have boot screen....how can I start HS from another partition?

Thanks

 

[jamiecollinson]

I understand that by switching to a Kepler card (I'm thinking 765m or 780m) I'd lose boot screen and backlight, and that the backlight issue can be solved by installing "Brightness Slider" from the app store.

I've tried it (still on stock 6970m) and it seems to work great and would be a fine solution, but can anyone who's done the upgrade confirm whether auto-brightness works correctly? It might sound like a small thing but it's something I really enjoy and would like to know if I'd be giving it up by upgrading.

p.s. thanks to all in the thread - really useful to have everyone's experiences and I bet there are 10 lurkers who appreciate it for everyone posting (I was one till just now!)

 

[jamiecollinson]

Is there a “guide” to have multiple os (HS and Mojave) and to set the “default”?

Another question.....if I put default Mojave and got Black Screen....and don’t have boot screen....how can I start HS from another partition?

Thanks

You might already have seen this (not sure where you're quoting from) but FlorisVN gave some details here: 2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

I think this is the key:

I would advise you to first install HS on partition 1, so your iMac can always boot back into HS.
doing a pram reset will always boot from first partition with HS.
You can use HS's startup disk selection to change to Mojave or Mojave installer partition with dosdude1 patcher inside.
​

If I've understood correctly (not an expert - just considering the same upgrade!) then the iMac will default to partition 1 after pram reset (so you can always get back to it), and once booted into High Sierra you can use the "startup disk" application in settings to make the Mojave partition the default (until and unless you do a further pram reset).

 

[passatgt]

I understand that by switching to a Kepler card (I'm thinking 765m or 780m) I'd lose boot screen and backlight, and that the backlight issue can be solved by installing "Brightness Slider" from the app store.

I've tried it (still on stock 6970m) and it seems to work great and would be a fine solution, but can anyone who's done the upgrade confirm whether auto-brightness works correctly? It might sound like a small thing but it's something I really enjoy and would like to know if I'd be giving it up by upgrading.

p.s. thanks to all in the thread - really useful to have everyone's experiences and I bet there are 10 lurkers who appreciate it for everyone posting (I was one till just now!)

The app will only change the colors appearing on the screen, not the backlight itself. So i don' think you can have auto brigthness this way.

 

[jamiecollinson]

The app will only change the colors appearing on the screen, not the backlight itself. So i don' think you can have auto brigthness this way.

Ah okay, I knew that but didn't notice a difference from the normal backlight changes when I tested it out - possibly silly question but is it visually different enough to notice? I'm wondering if the software is smart enough to hook into the real backlight brightness control if available, and I wasn't actually seeing the "fake" backlight control in action.

Can anyone who's seen it in action comment on that or the auto brightness question? I really enjoy the screen on the 2011 iMac 27" so if that would be compromised in an upgrade it might be enough to put me off and would really appreciate any first hand accounts.

 

[lamerz78]

......


But I would reccomend you install HS on a small partition 1, this way you can always boot back into HS, and use startup disk to change to Mojave patcher installation if needed, to repatch the system.
Of course you can set Mojave with as primary startup disk after all.
doing a pram reset will always get you back into HS, so you can use startup disk selecter when needed..

This way is the best I think..

I’ve read a couple of guides.....I’ve understand that the “right way” to have HS on first partition and Mojave on second partition (set to default o.s.) is this one:

1. Format everything
1.1 Boot from HS installer from usb
2. Disk utility
3. Create First Partition (HS) small (I think 30 gb will be ok)
4. Create Second Partition (Mojave)
5. Install HS (from usb) on first partition
6. Install Mojave (even from Application installer from HDD or USB stick) on second partition
7. Set the “default” o.s. to Mojave

Normal boot starts Mojave.

Pram reset starts HS.

Is it correct?

Thanks a lot!

 

[passatgt]

I’ve read a couple of guides.....I’ve understand that the “right way” to have HS on first partition and Mojave on second partition (set to default o.s.) is this one:

1. Format everything
1.1 Boot from HS installer from usb
2. Disk utility
3. Create First Partition (HS) small (I think 30 gb will be ok)
4. Create Second Partition (Mojave)
5. Install HS (from usb) on first partition
6. Install Mojave (even from Application installer from HDD or USB stick) on second partition
7. Set the “default” o.s. to Mojave

Normal boot starts Mojave.

Pram reset starts HS.

Is it correct?

Thanks a lot!

Yes, that is correct. Clean HS install is around 18gb. So just to be on the safe side, 30gb is good.

 

[FlorisVN]

I’ve read a couple of guides.....I’ve understand that the “right way” to have HS on first partition and Mojave on second partition (set to default o.s.) is this one:

1. Format everything
1.1 Boot from HS installer from usb
2. Disk utility
3. Create First Partition (HS) small (I think 30 gb will be ok)
4. Create Second Partition (Mojave)
5. Install HS (from usb) on first partition
6. Install Mojave (even from Application installer from HDD or USB stick) on second partition
7. Set the “default” o.s. to Mojave

Normal boot starts Mojave.

Pram reset starts HS.

Is it correct?

Thanks a lot!

looks good yes..
I would also reccomend creating a third Mojave patched installer partition.
This way you can always boot back into the installer, using the Mojave patcher if needed..
[doublepost=1560932763][/doublepost]

I understand that by switching to a Kepler card (I'm thinking 765m or 780m) I'd lose boot screen and backlight, and that the backlight issue can be solved by installing "Brightness Slider" from the app store.

I've tried it (still on stock 6970m) and it seems to work great and would be a fine solution, but can anyone who's done the upgrade confirm whether auto-brightness works correctly? It might sound like a small thing but it's something I really enjoy and would like to know if I'd be giving it up by upgrading.

p.s. thanks to all in the thread - really useful to have everyone's experiences and I bet there are 10 lurkers who appreciate it for everyone posting (I was one till just now!)

I think auto-brightness is not working at all.
Only works with original Apple AMD card.

 

[lamerz78]

looks good yes..
I would also reccomend creating a third Mojave patched installer partition.
This way you can always boot back into the installer, using the Mojave patcher if needed..

I’ve read that when installing Mojave it automatically create the recover (hidden) partition. I remember a option in Dosdude patch “Recovery Partition Patch”. If I enable this option (fourth starting from top) I think the recovery partition is “already” patched.....is it true?

So the procedure is:

1. Clean all partition
2. Create first small partition and second big partition
3. Install HS on first small partition
4. Install Mojave on second big partition
5. Run the “post installation patcher”
6. Select the fourth option to patch the recovery partition.
7. Run the o.s. Preferred in startup disk utility

 

[FlorisVN]

I’ve read that when installing Mojave it automatically create the recover (hidden) partition. I remember a option in Dosdude patch “Recovery Partition Patch”. If I enable this option (fourth starting from top) I think the recovery partition is “already” patched.....is it true?

So the procedure is:

1. Clean all partition
2. Create first small partition and second big partition
3. Install HS on first small partition
4. Install Mojave on second big partition
5. Run the “post installation patcher”
6. Select the fourth option to patch the recovery partition.
7. Run the o.s. Preferred in startup disk utility

as far as I know, you can patch the recovery partition with mojave patcher.
but my experience is that this could be made non working after updates.
creating a separate mojave patched installer partition, is the best I think...

 

[jamiecollinson]

I think auto-brightness is not working at all.
Only works with original Apple AMD card.

Thanks for the details FlorisVN

I'm guessing you've used an app like "Brightness Slider" on one of your machines? If you don't mind me asking, how was the experience - any downsides or visual differences to manually adjusting the "real" brightness?

Forgive the questions, I'm trying to gauge if I should go for the GPU upgrade or stick with High Sierra. I'm quite comfortable with the technical parts of the upgrade (thanks so much for all the info!) but less sure if the compromises would be annoying.

Incidentally on the auto-brightness front it does look like the sensor data can be accessed programmatically (https://stackoverflow.com/a/18614019) so it may be possible to rig up a program which reads from it and updates the "fake" backlight (maybe some of the backlight control programs already do this? I'm not familiar with them). I'll have a look if I do the upgrade and / or others are interested.

 

[passatgt]

Thanks for the details FlorisVN

I'm guessing you've used an app like "Brightness Slider" on one of your machines? If you don't mind me asking, how was the experience - any downsides or visual differences to manually adjusting the "real" brightness?

Forgive the questions, I'm trying to gauge if I should go for the GPU upgrade or stick with High Sierra. I'm quite comfortable with the technical parts of the upgrade (thanks so much for all the info!) but less sure if the compromises would be annoying.

Incidentally on the auto-brightness front it does look like the sensor data can be accessed programmatically (https://stackoverflow.com/a/18614019) so it may be possible to rig up a program which reads from it and updates the "fake" backlight (maybe some of the backlight control programs already do this? I'm not familiar with them). I'll have a look if I do the upgrade and / or others are interested.

I just tried this, but its not reporing back any data. Its either not working in Mojave, or the sensor is not working because of the GPU change.

 

[FlorisVN]

Thanks for the details FlorisVN

I'm guessing you've used an app like "Brightness Slider" on one of your machines? If you don't mind me asking, how was the experience - any downsides or visual differences to manually adjusting the "real" brightness?

Forgive the questions, I'm trying to gauge if I should go for the GPU upgrade or stick with High Sierra. I'm quite comfortable with the technical parts of the upgrade (thanks so much for all the info!) but less sure if the compromises would be annoying.

Incidentally on the auto-brightness front it does look like the sensor data can be accessed programmatically (https://stackoverflow.com/a/18614019) so it may be possible to rig up a program which reads from it and updates the "fake" backlight (maybe some of the backlight control programs already do this? I'm not familiar with them). I'll have a look if I do the upgrade and / or others are interested.

hi there,
I made a short demo video of one of our upgraded 2011 iMac's, a while aggo.
Showing a Dell/Alienware GTX765m in action with Mojave, and also showing Brightness Slider in function.

Check out this short demo video of mine :

 

[jamiecollinson]

hi there,
I made a short demo video of one of our upgraded 2011 iMac's, a while aggo.
Showing a Dell/Alienware GTX765m in action with Mojave, and also showing Brightness Slider in function.

Check out this short demo video of mine :

Thanks so much - that's really useful to see and makes me feel quite confident I guess the flashes during brightness changes is just the camera adapting?

I just tried this, but its not reporing back any data. Its either not working in Mojave, or the sensor is not working because of the GPU change.

That's a shame, but thanks for trying. I'll see if I can find anything out but personally while I'd regret losing auto-brightness I could live with the keyboard buttons for brightness control as long as the screen quality isn't reduced.

Thanks again to everyone for so much info - I'll have to have a think about this!

Out of curiosity if you were in my shoes would you jump on a 765m / 780m now or wait to see if anyone does come up with a workable Mac BIOS for one of these GPUs?

 

[passatgt]

Thanks so much - that's really useful to see and makes me feel quite confident I guess the flashes during brightness changes is just the camera adapting?



That's a shame, but thanks for trying. I'll see if I can find anything out but personally while I'd regret losing auto-brightness I could live with the keyboard buttons for brightness control as long as the screen quality isn't reduced.

Thanks again to everyone for so much info - I'll have to have a think about this!

Out of curiosity if you were in my shoes would you jump on a 765m / 780m now or wait to see if anyone does come up with a workable Mac BIOS for one of these GPUs?

I don't think we will ever see a workable bios. The best option for brightness control is the dyinglight module, but installing that is a bit tricky and at the moment you cannot buy one i believe.

 

[Roman78]

What is the right way to reassemble the board into the iMac. It always take me about 20-30 minutes to get the board in position. This design s*ks hard for maintenance.