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

[Yomaho]

There is something strange I don't understand.
The Firmware-updates from apple for my iMac have to be loaded from a OS X 10.9.5 (Mavericks) but it looks like impossible to go back to this OS.
I am able to install Lion, Moutain Lion, El Capitan but the Mavericks is missing.

 

[Palew59]

Your entire photo-report isn't informative. It is impossible to guess the vRAM type under the termo PAD. And further - what versions of vBIOS you are installing - we don’t understand!
Based on the experience of my own installation of AMD M6100 w/hynix BFR type of vRAM, I can say:
- I used 3 versions of vBIOS from repo and forum here, which gave different effects when further interacting with the iMac system 27 mid 2010:
1. M6100-Elpida-EnableGop.rom - did not use it for my card due to different initial vRAM data.
2. M6100-General-EnableGop.rom - also did not use...
3. M6100-HynixBFR-EnableGop.rom - the my first version of vBIOS which, in my opinion and forum recommendations, should be most suitable for M6100 hynix RAM - gave a not entirely satisfactory result: the GPU frequency varied from 300 to 700MHz, but did not reach a maximum of 1100MHz and OCLP I had difficulty establishing functionality with the system when switching between different monitor systems and screen resolutions. In my experience, the system was unstable compared to other VBIOS options. but nevertheless, it gave me a stable result with single-monitor using and based on the first experience I looking for fix issue with duo-screen instalation of Mac-system, I turned to forums.macrumors.com here for advice, further...
4. M6100_iMacGOPV2 - posted by @nikey22
there is an opinion that this version of vBIOS for the M6100 overclocks the GPU frequency, but I was never able to start for the working MacOS BugSur (11.7.10) - the computer froze on the MacOS startup after EFI and of splash screen and showed a black screen. And in safe mode, after some time of operation, it showed artifacts - an inverted color palette and this information about this iMac:
View attachment 2369487
I couldn't to start the system in normal mode and I reloaded vBIOS to the following:
5. M6100_iMacGOP_BFR - posted by @Ausdauersportler which, IMHO, turned out to be the smoothest and most stable in my staff. The GPU frequency is stable at 600MHz. Switching between external monitor settings is much faster than with the M6100-HynixBFR-EnableGop.rom version #3 from above...

---

NOTE: I was confused by the report on amdvbflash, which showed that after flashing the firmware
from #3

M6100-HynixBFR-EnableGop.rom

to #4

M6100_iMacGOPV2.rom

, the vBIOS version remained the same: 015.040.000..001.044933
pay attention to the prt-screen:
View attachment 2369484
This is my humble opinion of a newbie when I first met the GPU-metal upgrade of iMac 11.3

I have one of the AliExpress M6100 RED AMD GPU cards. I have been trying to get it working on an iMac 10,1. I have tried several of the various available BIOs ROMs on the sight, but haven't altered any components on the PCB yet. I have just flashed it with the BIOs listed in #5 above. Is it necessary to remove the 2 small resistors (SMC) that trigger the overheating GPU temperature?

 

[piwikiwi]

Hi everyone,

while installing the W5170M into my iMac 11,2 I’m getting one or two components (see image) that are more or less touching the heatsink, a 0.05mm gauge will pass between. I dont know if those components are allowed to touch or not, they/it appear to be opposite a laminated surface on the heatsink.

I’m considering installing a shim between the gpu and the heatsink but can’t find the thermal paste procedure (TP) spelled out.
Should I apply TP to the gpu, place the shim, add TP to the shim, then mount the heatsink? Seems logical but Google isn’t helping.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[cicalinarrot]

Hi everyone,

while installing the W5170M into my iMac 11,2 I’m getting one or two components (see image) that are more or less touching the heatsink, a 0.05mm gauge will pass between. I dont know if those components are allowed to touch or not.
I’m considering installing a shim between the gpu and the heatsink but can’t find the thermal paste procedure (TP) spelled out.
Should I apply TP to the gpu, place the shim, add TP to the shim, then mount the heatsink? Seems logical but Google isn’t helping.

Thanks,
Paul
View attachment 2488951

Not very relevant, they'll hardly be what fails, but you can go with some thermal paste if it's too tight for a pad.

 

[piwikiwi]

Not very relevant, they'll hardly be what fails, but you can go with some thermal paste if it's too tight for a pad.

Not sure what you’re saying.

I’m asking if that component is allowed to touch the heatsink.
Or: if I should shim up the gpu (and how to apply thermal paste when using a shim).

Thx,
Paul

 

[cicalinarrot]

Not sure what you’re saying.

I’m asking if that component is allowed to touch the heatsink.
Or: if I should shim up the gpu (and how to apply thermal paste when using a shim).

Thx,
Paul

Ooh, sorry.
The most important thing is optimal cooling of the GPU, I wouldn't alter that. It's the cheap that gets hurt by heat in most situations.
The rest of components can touch the heatsink.
From the picture, it looks like you're using the original heatsink for that card, right? Cause in that case, there's nothing to worry about. Otherwise, be sure that no component is pressed and stressed and you'll be fine.

 

[piwikiwi]

Put the iMac back together with the W5170M GPU (thank you iFixit ). Machine booted up normally, although it took a few minutes, after bootup I reinstalled root patches and machine rebooted normally.

To my amazement everything went well!

I havent tested every possible app but so far am really happy.

Might there be settings in OCLP that need to be modified now that the GPU is installed? At this moment AMD GPU Injection is Enabled and Graphics Override is set to AMD GCN

Anyway; thanks very much for all the advice and help, especially @howardc64 who has a fantastic website with all kinds of information on this subject 🙏🙏🙏


Cheers,
Paul

quick update: all apps working, including iMovie, Photos, Maps...awesome 👍

 

[Yomaho]

Hello,

I am trying to reflash my GPU (Quadro K4100M) to try to solve my issues.
But so I am wondering how to know if my GPU is AFR ? maybe that could be the problem (using BR in place of AFR) ?

 

[Moett]

Hello, which cards are less difficult with new Mac OSs?
Imac 2011 27 A1312
No games are required, but I want the new programs to work.
I use the K3100 on one iMac, and now I'm choosing a graphics card for another iMac.

I choose between GTX780, GTX880, wx4150, wx7100
Maybe there is an even better option?

 

[Moett]

which is better?
109-C98581-00D_02 V343 VER: 1.0 Green
109-C98581-00_02 V343 VER: 1.1 Green

 

[Y3R4X]

Hi, I'm planning to upgrade my iMac 27" mid 2010 with a s7100x, and I have some misunderstandings such as which bios flash with ch341a (I mean eg eg2 or GOP) and what type of hardware mod I need to control brightness

 

[Moett]

I want to buy this one, but the color of the board confuses me.
It seems to be overheated

 

[Moett]

Hello Ausdauersportler, I just upgraded an iMac 12,2 with WX4130 and High Sierra (my Brother-in-law wants to use this old system). I tried this hardware-fix but it did not work, any ideas why?

Cheers, and thanks for the GREAT work, I already upgraded over 40 iMacs.

Hi,
You are already a master in the WX4130. Can you help me with the choice?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi, I'm planning to upgrade my iMac 27" mid 2010 with a s7100x, and I have some misunderstandings such as which bios flash with ch341a (I mean eg eg2 or GOP) and what type of hardware mod I need to control brightness

Get the EnableGop version from my Github, it offers both EFI boot screen and brightness control.

 

[Pacific1972]

Hi,
You are already a master in the WX4130. Can you help me with the choice

READ PAGE 1 (for High Sierra)...

Initial setup: Using High Sierra (and only High Sierra) with any provided vBIOS disables the internal LCD on power
on. This is an Apple bug! Work around during initial installation: Connect and use an additional external display. It will
enable the internal one, too!

If you plan to use High Sierra on a regular basis there are several options: You can just use a miniDP emulator stick or 2nd display (recommended) or you can implement this hard wire mod (only mentioned here to have a complete overview) or patch it or you can enable the OpenCore agpdmod=vit9696 in the boot-args. Unfortunately this OpenCore setting is not compatible with more recent macOS versions and may break access to external displays. Patching HS is the most easy way. You will never touch the HS installation ever after!

 

[Pacific1972]

which is better?
109-C98581-00D_02 V343 VER: 1.0 Green
109-C98581-00_02 V343 VER: 1.1 Green

WX4130 (2GB) is nearly similar to WX4150 (4GB) in benchmarks...

 

[Y3R4X]

Get the EnableGop version from my Github, it offers both EFI boot screen and brightness control.

So I flash this file to the bios of the graphics card right?
Post data: just to make sure, does EFI mean that even the original one works or only the open core one?

 

[Vladistone]

I have one of the AliExpress M6100 RED AMD GPU cards. I have been trying to get it working on an iMac 10,1. I have tried several of the various available BIOs ROMs on the sight, but haven't altered any components on the PCB yet. I have just flashed it with the BIOs listed in #5 above. Is it necessary to remove the 2 small resistors (SMC) that trigger the overheating GPU temperature?

I didn't change anything on the AMD M6100 GPU board... it remained in stock condition... including the 2-pipe radiator from the original V-card (but I probably still sawed it with a dimmer in places where it touched the GPU elements. And I still have this device in my staff. *trying to find a good combination of iMac 11.3 + MacOS for TDM propper work (there are cases of synchronization of TDM with MacOS Monterey 12.7.4 and OCLP 2.2.0)

 

[piwikiwi]

Hi everyone,

not sure if this relevant to this thread, but:

After upgrading my GPU I experienced a loss of data from the Ambient, Optical Drive and LCD Proximity temperature sensors leading to fans running at 100%. I have reconnected the sensors twice to no avail. I'm guessing I might have damaged something on a logic board.

I "solved" this with Mac Fans Control.

Unfortunately the loss of data appears to also throttle the CPU to 30-40% or so. I've selected "Disable Firmware Throttling" in OCLP which seems to solve the CPU throttling issue.

Not sure if this is the correct use for this feature, but I thought I'd share this here seeing as the CPU throttling issue is reported by others online after accidentally damaging their iMac during disassembly.

Thanks,

Paul

p.s: iMac running really nicely on Sequoia, no other discrepancies

 

[internetzel]

Hi everyone,

not sure if this relevant to this thread, but:

After upgrading my GPU I experienced a loss of data from the Ambient, Optical Drive and LCD Proximity temperature sensors leading to fans running at 100%. I have reconnected the sensors twice to no avail. I'm guessing I might have damaged something on a logic board.

I "solved" this with Mac Fans Control.

Unfortunately the loss of data appears to also throttle the CPU to 30-40% or so. I've selected "Disable Firmware Throttling" in OCLP which seems to solve the CPU throttling issue.

Not sure if this is the correct use for this feature, but I thought I'd share this here seeing as the CPU throttling issue is reported by others online after accidentally damaging their iMac during disassembly.

Thanks,

Paul

p.s: iMac running really nicely on Sequoia, no other discrepancies

This is a known problem with W5170 cards in the iMac 11,2 which is listed on the first post of this thread.
Literally more than 99% of the hardware problems you could encounter are for sure listed in the first post.

 

[piwikiwi]

This is a known problem with W5170 cards in the iMac 11,2 which is listed on the first post of this thread.
Literally more than 99% of the hardware problems you could encounter are for sure listed in the first post.

Hi @internetzel ,

are you referring to one of these?:

I’m totally happy with how my machine is running now, but these items may have gone unnoticed in my preparation.

Or is there something else?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[internetzel]

Hi @internetzel ,

are you referring to one of these?:

View attachment 2492778


View attachment 2492779



I’m totally happy with how my machine is running now, but these items may have gone unnoticed in my preparation.

Or is there something else?

Thanks,
Paul

I'm referring to the last points in this screenshot from the first post.

 

[piwikiwi]

I'm referring to the last points in this screenshot from the first post.
View attachment 2492801

Thanks, man 👍

 

[reddrag0n]

ok, so i'm pulling my hair out. i purchased a dell green wx4150 card, and installed it into my 27" imac. reading everything i could on this forum and not understanding any of it, i burned a copy of the grml thingy to a usb drive using etcher, the november blues version i have. i boot from that, try to ssh into the imac from my mbp and when i go to enter the passcode for the ip address, it says wrong code. even though it says the code is flash, it says it's wrong!!!! fine, whatever....
so instead opencore see's the drive, so i boot from that using the text gui. change the keyboard to us, then hit enter to get me to the text area with the # .

from there i was reading that in order to do anything, you need sudo. ok, not a problem, followed everything i could find about running the program, it says type..... sudo ./amdvbflash -i ................
" sudo: ./amdvbflash: command not found " WTF!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
anything relating to that damn file is not found. i didn't change the location, i didn't delete it, it's still in the flash/video folder where it was placed by etcher!!!!

how in the &^*&%*&%% hell do i flash this *&^$*%$*^%$ card using anything?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[reddrag0n]

well, after more digging and reading, i found a site that had more to say than here on how to use the code.

2009 - 2011 iMac +Metal GPU Upgrade
which led me to this pic on how to properly enable the code


also found out that the amdvbflash in the november blues file is too old. couldn't handle the -f string. once i updated that, then i was able to properly input the code.

now for the fun part, over 10 different files for the wx4150 dell card all gives me the same result. showing 14 mb



after several tried with different roms, this is what my screen outputs.

gave the reboot command, even reset pram like i read in some spots. still no difference



i will upload my original backed up rom here to see if anyone can make heads or tails of it. it seems to flash in ssh, but i'm not getting a proper picture.