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

[howardc64]

I put a GTX870M into an iMac 12,1 and installed Sonoma, this worked fine and I was able to run Unigine Valley Benchmark without a problem.
I suspect that my GTX880M is not quite ok, therefore, I will replace it with a WX4150 soon (card is already on the way to me).

Per your Kepler > Big Sur efforts, tested Sequoia on 12,2 + K2100M Kepler. Results are reasonably good but may have show stopper (read bottom of post section Additional Anomalies). Here is a summary

Installation

• Installed OCLP Sequoia over OCLP Big Sur. No problem
• Root patching ( OCLP install didn't request but did it while trying to solve WiFi ) took a lot longer than all prior OCLP experiences. Log shows its patching many apps + subsystems with metal graphics patches. Probably devs did a lot of work to resolve most of the issues. Here is a summary on Kepler patches ( link )
• Had trouble connecting wifi, SMC/PRAM reset, and eventually deleting and re-adding the SSID worked. Not uncommon for OCLP installations.

Usage

• Everything I use worked no different than my GCN4 (wx4130) 12,2 on Sequoia
• Brave browser with multi-tabs + full screen
• iMessage / FaceTime
• Mail
• Keynote presentations
• No Sequoia Dynamic Wallpaper

Confirming Known Anomalies

Per OCLP Legacy graphics support ( link )

• Sequoia Live Wallpaper ( didn't work but ugly anyways haha )
• Paravirtualized Graphics. I presume this means VM graphics acceleration. I do use virtualbox Win11 periodically. Didn't test due to high setup cost ( need to copy 60GB VM on the test machine ) Most people probably don't care.
• Broken Live Text (worked for me testing briefly but not a feature I use anyways)
• Artifacts on cropped recording (definitely don't use, don't even know how)
• GeForceGLDriver Crashing (don't even know how to trigger this.

I don't know enough about AVX2 to know of an issue with Kepler.

Graphics Benchmark Testing

• Unigine Valley worked fine
• GFXBench Metal Aztec, Manhattan, T-Rex all ran fine

Additional Anamolies

• Encountered 2x (in 2 days of moderate use) Brightness control not working or working sluggishly. I did encounter it becoming very sluggish with long delay after requesting brightness change. Reboot resets this behavior back to normal and fast.
• Also encountered inability to sleep, logout, restart and shutdown from the Apple menu after awhile. Basically some of the Apple pull down menu from upper left corner doesn't work (About This Mac, Force Quit, Sleep, Restart, Shutdown, Lock Screen, Log out)
• When putting iMac to sleep, can see brightness gradually become black much slower than stock iMac and other metal GPU+OCLP efforts, perhaps this is related to the random brightness control sluggish issue?

====

Will continue to daily drive + test. Having Kepler usable by most people on latest macOS increases 12,x GPU options of course. However, the additional anomalies above maybe a deterrant.

 

[johnrak]

I have a Mid 2011 iMac (modifications in my signature). It’s running Big Sure for the last few years but I was thinking to upgrade it to be able to run newer apps. I know Big Sur is the best option for my Mac because it doesn’t require post install patches.
Some apps like Fusion 360 require Monterey+. Also homebrew bottles are not available for Big Sure and I have to compile everything from source.
I read that:

Kepler patching currently works best on Sequoia after support got dropped on Monterey!

Should I try Sequoia? Is it the best option besides Big Sur? I will do my tests on another disk and if it succeeds I will erase and install everything on my main SSD.

 

[elbaguy]

I have a Mid 2011 iMac (modifications in my signature). It’s running Big Sure for the last few years but I was thinking to upgrade it to be able to run newer apps. I know Big Sur is the best option for my Mac because it doesn’t require post install patches.
Some apps like Fusion 360 require Monterey+. Also homebrew bottles are not available for Big Sure and I have to compile everything from source.
I read that:

Should I try Sequoia? Is it the best option besides Big Sur? I will do my tests on another disk and if it succeeds I will erase and install everything on my main SSD.

I'm currently running Monterey on my 2011 27" iMac with the Nvidia K2100M installed with OCLP 1.50 and not having any issues. I haven't wanted to risk it and break anything trying to push it any further either. I don't know status of WIFI though because it's hooked up with ethernet. I know Monterey isn't getting security updates anymore but I don't know how far I can reliably push this machine.

 

[howardc64]

I have a Mid 2011 iMac (modifications in my signature). It’s running Big Sure for the last few years but I was thinking to upgrade it to be able to run newer apps. I know Big Sur is the best option for my Mac because it doesn’t require post install patches.
Some apps like Fusion 360 require Monterey+. Also homebrew bottles are not available for Big Sure and I have to compile everything from source.
I read that:

Should I try Sequoia? Is it the best option besides Big Sur? I will do my tests on another disk and if it succeeds I will erase and install everything on my main SSD.

I'm currently running Monterey on my 2011 27" iMac with the Nvidia K2100M installed with OCLP 1.50 and not having any issues. I haven't wanted to risk it and break anything trying to push it any further either. I don't know status of WIFI though because it's hooked up with ethernet. I know Monterey isn't getting security updates anymore but I don't know how far I can reliably push this machine.

After 2 days of testing, I ran into some more severe problems with Kepler on Sequoia that might be a show stopper. Read bottom of post #22001 Additional Anomalies.

 

[howardc64]

wx3200 install success on 12,2 with Sonoma and Sequoia. Much easier with latest OCLP wx3200 installation support (Thanks to the devs!) Only 2 installation bug to resolve (below with workarounds)

Simpler OCLP Supported Install

The older wx3200 procedures (post #18295 linked by post #1) in this thread requires various manual patches. Current OCLP (I'm on 2.0.1) has a Lexa (wx3200 is Lexa) selection for AMD GOP Injection and will automatically add all the patches. So Lexa is fully integrated to OCLP. Normal metal card upgrade install to macOS Sonoma. Installation succeeded and works great in brief test and usage so far.

UPDATE OCLP 2.1.1 still doesn't completely auto inject all the necessary files and require checking AMD GOP Injection and selecting AMD Lexa. AMDGOP.efi is missing in its auto detect auto inject logic. However, Lexa spoofing patches is automatically detected and injected. So its almost there

Common Installation Issues

Got the fairly common "An Error Occurred While Preparing the Software Update" Just shutdown, reboot, and continue installation from the internal drive. Once restarted, installation will progress to the ~30min count down phase.

2 Unique Installation Bugs

• Installation will hang somewhere between the two installation reboot phases (30min countdown phase and 1-100% phase, there are 3-4 short reboot phases in between these 2 longer ones). For Sonoma, power off the iMac, press and hold shift key and restart to boot safe mode ( link ) and the installation continued to the 1% -> 100% phase and completed without further issues. For Sequoia. safe mode workaround did not work so easily (UPDATE: 2 additional 12,2/11,3+wx3200 Sequoia install succeeded with same workaround as Sonoma). However, eventually worked by try safe mode on every installation phase reboot AFTER the 30min count down phase. There are 3-4 reboots before the 1-100% phase. Unsure which one solved it. If installation is stalled by safemode, shutdown and reboot and avoid safe mode for that install phase and do safe mode on the next reboot to next installation phase. Eventually, was able to progress to the 1-100% phase and completed install without further problems.
• After install and first setup. OCLP will do the usual prompt to build OC and install into internal SSD. Avoid this as OCLP will not automatically set AMD GOP Injection + Lexa. If this is installed, iMac will boot loop. VBIOS is not EC so only way to fix is extract the SSD (LCD screen off again), SATA<->USB connect to a Mac with OCLP and install OC again properly set AMD GOP Injection + Lexa (and set the correct target of course) Anyway, best workaround is just not let OCLP to auto generate and install OC into internal SSD. Do it manually properly setting GOP injection and Lexa. Look at the OC build log to be sure. UPDATE : OCLP 2.0.2 still has this problem.

WARNING : Note that OCLP as of 2.0.1 will not automatically add Lexa patches on wx3200 and bricks iMac boot. Until this is fixed, must be vigilant whenever install/reinstall OC into internal SSD. Do it manually and with Lexa GOP injection. This will occur on every OCLP version change and automatic updates. Look at info below on making a rescue CD just in case.

If the setup iMac will be used by a OCLP novice, it maybe advisable to remove OCLP from the system (assuming its working well for them) so it doesn't auto update and automatically prompt for EFI update. Just remove OCLP app and all its background daemons ( remove /Library/Application Support/Dortania , shortcut in /Applications, and daemons ( link )) Of course if they want to update OCLP and driver patches later, need to install OCLP again and know all the pitfalls like this one.

GPU Card Modification

Mine wx3200 is an HP and require modification. Followed the recommended mod from post #18295 ( link )

• 2x jumper wires instead of 2x 0 ohm resistor (didn't have on hand)
• Removed 2 resistors (Probably unnecessary for 12,2 but decided to make the GPU more useful in future for 12,1 etc) Have hot air station which made the task quite easy. Hot scissors would work too but these are advanced micro-soldering tools. Using a single soldering iron is likely quite difficult. Probably want to have low melting temperature solder if using a soldering iron.

VBIOS

Chose github one ( link ) with later date instead of post #18295. No EG VBIOS available. Flash ROM is 512KB ( IS25LQ040 link ) Physical ROM size is the larger one so can use CH341A. I didn't choose GRML flash method since I'm making GPU hardware modifications for the first time and uncertain it will POST.

UPDATE : These cards have different height IS24LQ040 packages. Cheap CH341A clip can't grab on to the lower profile package so will have to be GRML flashed.

Heat Sink Shim

wx3200 GPU die is really low compared to other components on the card (inductors, diodes) Larger MXM-B heat sinks require 1.5mm (used 1mm+0.5mm) shim to get clearance. So have some thick shim on hand. Note the pictures below showing 70C+ on Valley. After properly shimming. About 15-20C cooler on the die and much closer to the heat sink temp. On a MXM-A heat sink install. 0.8mm.

Remainder Installation Follows like All others

For example, the M5100 install guide in post #21491 OCLP 2.0.1 seems to not need post install patch phase anymore in my recent installation experiences.

I did encounter the "Preparing Update" failure repeatedly during 2 Sequoia installation attempt but not 3rd. This has occurred before with other OCLP macOS installs. Did not encounter in Sonoma install.

Proof of Life

Sonoma


Sequoia



Visual Anomalies

Sonoma

There are some but so far no show stoppers.

1. Sometimes wake from sleep into lock screen has no wall paper. Started working properly after awhile.
2. Control center brightness slider didn't work for awhile but then fixed itself
3. System Settings didn't show Apple magic trackpad2 despite connected and working. Eventually fixed itself

Last 2 seems quite common in these OCLP + metal gfx upgrade installs. Perhaps since the change to iOS style system settings since Ventura? Would have liked to try Sequoia to see if improve but unable to to a clean install currently with the hang without workaround.

Sequoia

• Setting wallpaper didn't show until logout and back in
• Photos launching preview to edit images is sluggish/hang. True on wx4130 also so not wx3200 only. If photos export an image (example jpg) and preview edit that, its fine. UPDATE : seems fixed in OCLP 2.0.2
• Been using it for a few days as daily driver. Completely stable and usable for me. No difference than my 12,2+wx4130

wx3200 Limitations

Doesn't have VA (Virtual Address?) Per post #1, editing apps like FinalCut and DaVinci use this feature and will not work. Maybe safe for most non graphics artists.

Make a Rescue CD

Since wx3200 has no EG vBIOS and current OCLP will auto generate a broken EFI. Best to make a rescue CD just in case. See post #22013

 

[dorninko]

wx3200 (GCN4 ~$30 ebay 9/22/2024) install success on 12,2 with Sonoma. Much easier with latest OCLP wx3200 installation support (Thanks to the devs!) Only 2 installation bug to resolve (below with workarounds)

Simpler OCLP Supported Install

The older wx3200 procedures (post #18295 linked by post #1) in this thread requires various manual patch. Current OCLP (I'm on 2.0.1) has a Lexa (wx3200 is Lexa) selection for AMD GOP Injection and will automatically add all the patches. So Lexa is fully integrated to OCLP. Normal metal card upgrade install to macOS Sonoma. Installation succeeded and works great in brief test and usage so far.

View attachment 2426001

2 Installation Bugs

• Installation will hang towards the end with backlight on and nothing displayed on the screen. This occurs after installaton phase counting down from ~29min and before the 1% -> 100% installation phase. Power off the iMac, press and hold shift key and restart. I was trying to boot safe mode. Never received an acknowledgement entering safe mode but installation continued to the 1% -> 100% phase and completed without further issues. This bug occurs in both Sequoia and Sonoma install.
• After install and first setup. OCLP will prompt to build OC and install into internal SSD. Avoid this as OCLP will not automatically set AMD GOP Injection + Lexa. If this is installed, iMac will boot loop. VBIOS is not EC so only way to fix is extract the SSD, SATA<->USB connect to a Mac with OCLP and install OC again properly set AMD GOP Injection + Lexa (and set the correct target of course) Anyway, best workaround is just not let OCLP to auto generate and install OC into internal SSD. Do it manually with proper GOP injection and Lexa set. Look at the OC build log to be sure

View attachment 2425999

GPU Card Modification

Followed the recommended Card modification from post #18295 ( link )

• 2x jumper wires instead of 2x 0 ohm resistor (didn't have on hand)
• Removed 2 resistors (Probably unnecessary for 12,2 but decided to make the GPU more useful in future for 12,1 etc) Have hot air station which made the task quite easy. Hot scissors would work too but these are advanced micro-soldering tools. Using a single soldering iron is likely quite difficult. Probably want to have low melting temperature solder if using a soldering iron.

VBIOS

Chose github one ( link ) with later date instead of post #18295. No EG VBIOS available. Flash ROM is 512KB ( IS25LQ040 link ) Physical ROM size is the larger one so can use CH341A. I didn't choose GRML flash method since I'm making GPU hardware modifications for the first time and uncertain it will POST.

Remainder Installation Follows like All others

For example, the M5100 install guide in post #21491

I did encounter the "Preparing Update" failure repeatedly during Sequoia installation which has occurred before with other installs. Did not encounter in Sonoma install.

Proof of Life

View attachment 2426000

Thanks for this info, I was just now seriously thinking about buying 2 WX3200 (for iMacs of friends). With your detailled info I am more confident. I found a real cheap source.

 

[dorninko]

A mod for HP WX4150 cards​

(... and some Dell WX4130/WX4150 - just the 'additional mod' for V1.0 cards with 'DUFC' temperature sensor IC.)

I'd like to report another successful POST of a modded HP WX4150 card in an iMac12,2 (27' 2011 iMac). I now have two modded HP WX4150 cards happily running in two 27' 2011 machines, reported temperatures are sensible (ie. they are no different from those reported by a machine with a Dell WX4150 built in). I also ran some GPU benchmarks - I did not notice any anomalies after 30 minutes of benchmarking.

On the other hand, while the card did POST without a problem in an iMac11,2 (21.5' 2010 iMac), some sensors reported abnormal values, CPU and ODD fans ran at full speed, and I believe that CPU was throttled. (That's still better than iMac11,2 with an unmodded HP WX4150 card - sometimes it POSTs, sometimes it doesn't, definitely does not POST with a HDD connected.) I replaced it with a Dell WX4150 (from my 27' 2011 machine), which works perfectly. I'm not sure (when) I'll investigate this (iMac11,2 + modded HP WX4150) further. I (actually some of us) did investigate this further. With an additional small mod, the HP WX4150 POSTs and works properly in the whole iMac11,1 - iMac12,2 range! See additional mod below.

If your soldering skills are above basic and you have the tools required, please do try this. (Note: the additional mod requires fine soldering skills.) Here's how I did it:

Spoiler: Required tools:

• a (at least) 50W soldering iron with precision tip and temperature control (80W+ is better, 50W should be enough for leaded solder)
• flux (pen)
• solder wick (to remove excess solder)
• tweezers
• magnifying glass (I did not use it, but I should.)

Spoiler: Required components:

• a (non-POSTing) HP WX4150 card
• two 0R 1206 resistors (Buy more. They are really cheap and you will probably destroy one...)
• 0.5mm (or thinner) solder wire

Spoiler: Proposed mod:

Two jumpers (the 0R 1206 resistors) are needed between the pads in the orange rectangles under the red arrows (see first four attached photos). Those pads had some excess solder on my cards. I removed it with a solder wick to facilitate soldering later. Note that those pads are a part of a (relatively) large copper area, which means that a fair amount of heat will be required to melt the solder. Be very careful not to remove tiny capacitors and other components which are in close proximity. Cover cleared pads with a generous amount of flux. Place the resistor and align it with tweezers. Take your time. Use tweezers (in your left hand) to press down on the middle of the resistor (if it moves, align it again), then pick a small amount of solder with the soldering iron (in your right hand) and solder one pad of the resistor. Remember the 'large copper area'? A certain amount of heat will be required again. (This is really important to avoid cold joints. Believe me...) Again: Be careful not to short the nearby components. If you do, remove the shorts with the solder wick. Repeat for the second pad and second resistor. (Add flux as needed, you can remove excess flux when finished with a toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol.)

Spoiler: Additional mod:

This additional mod requires fine soldering skills (or rather a visit to a cell phone repair shop). It is, however, mandatory to make the card POST and function properly in 21.5' iMacs (iMac11,2 and iMac12,1). On the bottom layer, lower left corner, close to the IC with DUFC top marking, there are two 0402-sized 0R resistors (jumpers) - (again) in orange rectangles. These need to be removed. See last two photos.

I attached some photos of my card before and after the mod.

FYI: I installed a WX4150 into a 12,1 iMac without any mods (except the heat sink mods) and installed Montery and upgraded to Sonoma, all works fine.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

FYI: I installed a WX4150 into a 12,1 iMac without any mods (except the heat sink mods) and installed Montery and upgraded to Sonoma, all works fine.

The modification is specific for HP brand card in its original status.
Without the mod, iMac 12,1 + WX4150 HP won't boot.

 

[dorninko]

The modification is specific for HP brand card in its original status.
Without the mod, iMac 12,1 + WX4150 HP won't boot.

Ah ok, thanks for the info! The WX4150 card was from Ailexpress and already "made for iMac" (I changed the vrom).
I ordered 2 wx3200 cards (HP), so I must make the mods there.

 

[howardc64]

Any simple tricks to resolve installing wrong OC in internal SSD EFI with a no EG VBIOS GPU?

Without EG, boot option key doesn't work to boot an USB OC EFI for repair. Only solution I know is access internal SSD and format it or if only OC is wrong, install correct OC into the EFI on SSD. Either way require pulling the LCD. Not a problem for me but if I sell these iMacs to lessor tech savoy owners, would be nice to have a no disassembly solution for software repair.

Usually not a problem as wrong OC is never installed automatically by OCLP. But Lexa integration isn't perfect yet and will get a OC that bootloops the iMac.

 

[internetzel]

Any simple tricks to resolve installing wrong OC in internal SSD EFI with a no EG VBIOS GPU?

Without EG, boot option key doesn't work to boot an USB OC EFI for repair. Only solution I know is access internal SSD and format it or if only OC is wrong, install correct OC into the EFI on SSD. Either way require pulling the LCD. Not a problem for me but if I sell these iMacs to lessor tech savoy owners, would be nice to have a no disassembly solution for software repair.

Usually not a problem as wrong OC is never installed automatically by OCLP. But Lexa integration isn't perfect yet and will get a OC that bootloops the iMac.

The only reliable way is an OpenCore boot CD, which is also mentioned on the first page, together with a link to the instructions on how to create. You find it as shown in the attached screenshot of the first post.

 

[howardc64]

The only reliable way is an OCLP boot CD, which is also mentioned on the first page, together with a link to the instructions on how to create. You find it as shown in the attached screenshot of the first post.

Ah thanks for the reminder on the OCLP boot CD. I'll make those as backups boot pickers then. Thanks!

 

[howardc64]

Simple Guide to make a Rescue CD for none EG vBIOS (GOP vBIOS)

If using a GOP vBIOS and the EFI ever gets broken, iMac won't boot since no boot selector exist with option key. Need to make a rescue CD to boot a good EFI. Otherwise, internal drive need to be extracted and its EFI repaired or formatted and start a new installation.

Detail info gathered from post #1 and its links to @cdf post ( link )

iMac boot order

The boot order is CD first (when C key is pressed), then internal drive, then USB

• This is why the simplest initial OCLP macOS installation using OCLP USB installer is to have a blank internal drive. Nothing to boot on the internal drive so iMac just boots the usb installer.
• This is also why a rescue CD is necessary when internal drive EFI is broken and no option key boot selector.

Basic Process to make rescue CD

• Run OCLP and generate the list of files for EFI
• Modify the config file
• generate the EFI image for CDR
• burn to disc

Sounds simple but there are few precise details that must be followed

Generate the list of files for EFI

• Run OCLP, Set the correct Settings. Click Build and Install OpenCore
• Click View build log (rather than the typical Install to Disk)
• Open the temporary directory at bottom of the log. This is where the EFI files are
• Make a Desktop Directory "OC-CD" This will be the working directory for making the rescue CD.
• Copy the 2 directories EFI and System to OC-CD (detail info above doesn't show copying the "System" directory and instead shows "BOOT" directory. Maybe it’s just evolutionary changes. Anyway, copying everything in the EFI file set worked for me)

Modify the config file

• Desktop/OC-CD/EFI/OC/config.plist need 2 items modified
• can't just modify this text file with text edit (possible but then need more tools to convert it)
• can use vi to edit if you know what that is
• use free xplist ( github link ) install the dmg from the latest release. On Sequoia with higher unsigned program protection, need to allowed it to run ( link )
• Detailed info above suggest not to edit the plist file directly. I had no problems since only modifying 2 items.
• Set LauncherOption to Disabled and RequestBootVarRouting to false
• Save modified config.plist. Open again to double check these 2 items are modified

NOTE : I accidentally did not modify these and made a rescue CD that worked. So maybe this step can be skipped? Don't know all the consequences of skipping this step



Generate CDR EFI image

Type the following in terminal ( assuming the OC-CD directory was on your Desktop )

cd ~/Desktop hdiutil create -size 200MiB -srcfolder OC-CD -format UDTO -fs FAT32 OC-CD.iso

Burn the CDR or CDRW

CDR (or DVDR)

hdiutil burn OC-CD.iso.cdr

CDRW

hdiutil burn -erase OC-CD.iso.cdr

Testing the rescue CD

One difficulty is confirming rescue CD works. If internal drive's EFI is still working. Boot selector from both looks EXACTLY the same. Differences is the time delay as CD is much slower (and CD drive will make a lot of sounds)

Shutdown -> Restart -> PRAM reset -> Press C Key (immediately after PRAM reset chime)

• If you hear CD drive make couple of short clicks then see the boot selector quickly, then the internal drive's EFI booted.
• If you hear CD drive make a lot more sounds and boot selector appear after 10+ sections, then the rescue CD's EFI booted.

Thats it, you've made the rescue CD for your iMac + GPU card. Note this rescue CD is unique to this iMac model and GPU combination.

Using the rescue CD

• rescue CD can launch a good EFI (bypassing a broken internal drive EFI) and launch the macOS. Once in macOS, run OCLP to repair the internal drive EFI)
• rescue CD can launch an OCLP USB installer (I think, didn't confirm)

So no need to open the iMac to access the internal drive to repair the broken software.

Making the CD AFTER iMac boot is bricked

The above rescue CD procedure can done on any Mac. Even one that isn't running OCLP macOS. OCLP can run on any Mac and above steps doesn't install the EFI to the Mac making the CD. Just need to set the target (not host) and any necessary settings correctly on OCLP app when generating the list of EFI files for the bricked iMac.

 

[Sserna14]

Would it be possible to upgrade a mid 2011 with a 5k retina display? I know the connectors are not the same, but theoretically ? Sorry for the off-topic

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-non-retina-imac-with-a-retina-display.2316492/

 

[johnrak]

I have Big Sur installed but some newer apps (including Homebrew packages) require 12+. I installed Sequoia on another disk but I experience high CPU usage with some apps like Orcaslicer. I was thinking to test a different OS version.
I read on the first page that:

Kepler patching currently works best on Sequoia after support got dropped on Monterey!

Does it mean that my best option after Big Sur is Sequoia? Should I try Monterey or is it a dead end?

 

[howardc64]

I have Big Sur installed but some newer apps (including Homebrew packages) require 12+. I installed Sequoia on another disk but I experience high CPU usage with some apps like Orcaslicer. I was thinking to test a different OS version.
I read on the first page that:

Does it mean that my best option after Big Sur is Sequoia? Should I try Monterey or is it a dead end?

Did Kepler+Sequoia trial run, had some problems. Maybe okay if don't mind reboot a couple times a day?

iMac+Metal GPU - 12,x

Main Info Source All the info is gleamed from the big macrumor's thread post #1. Be sure to consult the following sections. No way to link to these sections so perhaps open 2 browser windows to read side by side this site and these sections Spoiler: 2 Working AMD Graphics Cards Spoiler: AMD GCN v4

sites.google.com

 

[alberbrando]

Hi. A question: What temperature should I set the fans at if I want to keep the fan sound as low as possible? I mean I don´t mind if the GPU temperature get high but in a safe way for the graphic card (i.e Apple does) because I am going to give the iMac to my daughter and I know she is not going to play with the fan speed increasing or reducing as I do manually.My GC is an AMD M5100.Thanks.

 

[howardc64]

Hi. A question: What temperature should I set the fans at if I want to keep the fan sound as low as possible? I mean I don´t mind if the GPU temperature get high but in a safe way for the graphic card (i.e Apple does) because I am going to give the iMac to my daughter and I know she is not going to play with the fan speed increasing or reducing as I do manually.My GC is an AMD M5100.Thanks.

My prior M5100 experience had 1700 RPM (not that loud) at 45C (not that hot) running valley so no graphics intensive usage likely cooler. Maybe set fan range 40-65C?. 40C is quite cool and probably want min fan speed ~1k RPM (inaudible) See post #21491

Signature link also has links to M4000, wx4130 and wx3200 install summary and temps.

 

[johnrak]

I installed Monterey and it's working better than Sequoia. I don't notice high CPU usage on apps.

I'm thinking to try Ventura but if the high CPU usage is due to the lack of AVX2, I guess I will experience the same issues I had with Sequoia. Could the new OCLP 2.0.2 address these issues?

 

[alberbrando]

My prior M5100 experience had 1700 RPM (not that loud) at 45C (not that hot) running valley so no graphics intensive usage likely cooler. Maybe set fan range 40-65C?. 40C is quite cool and probably want min fan speed ~1k RPM (inaudible) See post #21491

Signature link also has links to M4000, wx4130 and wx3200 install summary and temps.

Thanks,Howard. So it would be safe to keep the graphic card temperature between 60-65ºC at maximum,wouldn´t it? With its old graphic card Ati 4850 I struggled to keep the temperature below 52ºC and it caused me stress to keep the temperature down to avoid the "all well known" iMac graphic card issue.

 

[howardc64]

Thanks,Howard. So it would be safe to keep the graphic card temperature between 60-65ºC at maximum,wouldn´t it? With its old graphic card Ati 4850 I struggled to keep the temperature below 52ºC and it caused me stress to keep the temperature down to avoid the "all well known" iMac graphic card issue.

In general, cooler is better. You don’t want minimum 1k fan speed and 60C+ with gpu stressful usage just to keep silence.

I usually set my fan speed range at 45-65 so min 1k RPM <= 45C. You can set max at 65 or 60 or even lower depending on your noise tolerance. Usually will not climb up with regular use unless using GPU intensive apps like valley graphics demo.

 

[kraulean]

Hello, I have a Dell K4100M card, but I never got around to installing it in my iMac, so if anyone is interested in buying it, feel free to message me.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Would it be possible to upgrade a mid 2011 with a 5k retina display? I know the connectors are not the same, but theoretically ? Sorry for the off-topic

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-non-retina-imac-with-a-retina-display.2316492/

Theoretically, no.
5k displays which use 2x2k video input ports => physically not connectable.
5k displays which use 1x5k video input port => much newer displayport protocol (control chip) and not compatible to the obsolete eDP port on iMac 2011 logic board.

 

[johnrak]

On the first page I read that:

...A lot of behind the scenes magic is happening in order to allow Ventura and later booting even on unsupported pre AVX2 CPUs and systems.

and

Kepler patching currently works best on Sequoia after support got dropped on Monterey!

My Mid 11 21.5 iMac has a kepler GTX 765M GPU.
So I assume that on Monterey+ I need kepler patches and on Ventura+ I also need patches for CPU. I though that Ventura - Sonoma require the same patches and the patches work better on Sequoia.

I tried Monterey with OCLP 0.5.0. Applied the kepler patch and it seems to work fine.

I tried Sequoia with OCLP 2.0.1. Here is the list of installed patches. CPU usage was high with some apps.

I tried Ventura with OCLP 2.0.2. Here is the list of installed patches. CPU usage is normal with apps causing high CPU on Sequoia.

Why is there such a difference with the patches applied between Ventura and Sequoia? For example I don't see a MetalLibSupportPkg on Ventura. Should I stick with Ventura despite the docs claiming that the patching work better on Sequoia?

 

[Paul A Jackson]

Have physically installed AMD WX4150 card into Late 2009 27" iMac (see signature below).

iMac starts with correct chime, no unexpected smells or sounds, but blank screen, as expected.

Attempting to flash VBIOS with amdvbflash tool on bootable USB, I get the following.

How can I resolve this, please?

root@grml ..live/mount/persistence/sdc/flash/Video # ./amdvbflash -p 0 AMD/GCN4/WX4150_EnableGop.rom

AMDVBFLASH version 4.71, Copyright (c) 2020 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.



Newer ROM version already programmed



ERROR: 0FL01