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

[Pacific1972]

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
View attachment 2493338

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

View attachment 2493340View attachment 2493341View attachment 2493342View attachment 2493343

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

View attachment 2493344View attachment 2493345View attachment 2493346View attachment 2493347View attachment 2493348View attachment 2493349

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.

View attachment 2493353

WX 41X0 - iMac GOP ROM

...what kind of 10 different files do you mean ? There are not soo much different Apple ROM
versions for WX4150 available ! Do you have made photos of your GPU card (front & back) ?

Perhaps I don't can help you, but sometimes there are some conflicts with the GPU
(but normally no Sleep/Wake or SMBus problems) on iMac 2011 with Socket 1155 CPU
- also I think the GPU have a short circuit with clamp, screws or cooling element,
connected to the housing of your iMac or other electrical components inside...

Hopefully you don't buy this glitched GPU scrap from an "anonymous" 😁 AliExpress seller...

 

[internetzel]

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
View attachment 2493338

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

View attachment 2493340View attachment 2493341View attachment 2493342View attachment 2493343

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

View attachment 2493344View attachment 2493345View attachment 2493346View attachment 2493347View attachment 2493348View attachment 2493349

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.

View attachment 2493353

According to your original VBIOS your card is a WX4130 with only 2 GB of VRAM - so try flashing one of the WX4130 rom files.
In case you have just replaced the original graphics card with the WX4130 you also have to make sure you remove the OCLP post install patches, because the patches for the original graphics card do break later AMD/ATI drivers. After removing the patches you'll have to reapply the patches using OCLP.

 

[reddrag0n]

WX 41X0 - iMac GOP ROM

...what kind of 10 different files do you mean ? There are not soo much different Apple ROM
versions for WX4150 available ! Do you have made photos of your GPU card (front & back) ?

Perhaps I don't can help you, but sometimes there are some conflicts with the GPU
(but normally no Sleep/Wake or SMBus problems) on iMac 2011 with Socket 1155 CPU
- also I think the GPU have a short circuit with clamp, screws or cooling element,
connected to the housing of your iMac or other electrical components inside...

Hopefully you don't buy this glitched GPU scrap from an "anonymous" 😁 AliExpress seller...

from all the downloads i was able to find, i was able to gather around roughly 10 4150 gop roms, but they could be doubles too. so i was checking each one to see if it made a difference.



also, i had a proper desktop before flashing, so oclp did see the card, just showed "Display 14MB" in ASP with no drivers loaded

also no aliexpress, was a legit ebay listing from the states

 

[reddrag0n]

According to your original VBIOS your card is a WX4130 with only 2 GB of VRAM - so try flashing one of the WX4130 rom files.
In case you have just replaced the original graphics card with the WX4130 you also have to make sure you remove the OCLP post install patches, because the patches for the original graphics card do break later AMD/ATI drivers. After removing the patches you'll have to reapply the patches using OCLP.

odd, since the listing of the card states its a 4150. i guess i will get on the horn with the seller.
i did remove the root install patches, reinstalled new ones and did pram reset. pics posted earlier are the result.
can you send me the info on that rom so i have something to show the seller?

 

[reddrag0n]

i think i'll flash the original rom file back and do the old windows cd install trick i have done with other imacs and see what windows will show. then i have a fighting chance on how to respond to my ebay seller

 

[reddrag0n]

ok, so flashed original rom file back and no video on internal display, but external shows properly. just like it did when i first installed it.






AHA!!!!!!

 

[reddrag0n]

ok, got more info on that card, and you are correct, it is the 4130 model. i sent the seller a message saying that he *&$^**&^% up.

 

[reddrag0n]

ok, so installed the 4130 gop rom and i am back at the same spot as before. reinstalled root patches, rebooted, reset nvram and still saying display of 14mb

didn't work - WX4130GOP.rom

trying other 4130 roms that i found.

didn't work - WX4130_EG2_adj.rom (boot loop saying need to recover hard drive)
first didn't work - WX4130_EnableGop_ALT.rom (only shows 14MB)

ok, so i completely wiped out the root patches and started them from scratch and now it shows Polaris 2GB using the last alt rom

 

[internetzel]

ok, so installed the 4130 gop rom and i am back at the same spot as before. reinstalled root patches, rebooted, reset nvram and still saying display of 14mb

didn't work - WX4130GOP.rom

trying other 4130 roms that i found.

didn't work - WX4130_EG2_adj.rom (boot loop saying need to recover hard drive)
didn't work - WX4130_EnableGop_ALT.rom (only shows 14MB)
WX4130_EnableGop.rom
WX4130-EG2_adj_ALT_VRAM.rom

That 14 MB thing does only happen when macOS can't find/load drivers for the card - in case removing root patches doesn't work you'd have to reinstall macOS (on top of the existing installation should work).
You should use one of the EnableGop versions, and you might check in Windows whether the correct drivers are working there in accelerated mode - in case the card fully works in Windows with that VBIOS, you definitely need to "repair" your macOS installation.

 

[StefanAM]

Hey guys! Sorry for the off-topic, but I hope is here somebody who can give me a hint: I have a Dell Precision M6800 and a RX 480m 4GB. I need a working vbios. Thank you!

 

[Pacific1972]

Hey guys! Sorry for the off-topic, but I hope is here somebody who can give me a hint: I have a Dell Precision M6800 and a RX 480m 4GB. I need a working vbios. Thank you!

I would resell... 😄 but perhaps try and then search for verified and unverified Uploads
(you need the no. printed on your video Card (You can search for PCI-E same as MXM) !

VGA BIOS Collection - TechPowerUp

 

[MrZupp]

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
View attachment 2493338

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

View attachment 2493340View attachment 2493341View attachment 2493342View attachment 2493343

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

View attachment 2493344View attachment 2493345View attachment 2493346View attachment 2493347View attachment 2493348View attachment 2493349

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.

View attachment 2493353

Do you have any photo of the MXM GPU?

 

[Vic_is_nergens]

Hi there. So, I bought a "wx 4150" gpu from Aliexpress. Before that, I already had a 765m working with Mac OS Sequoia. When loading High Sierra, Sequoia (SSD with Open Legacy Patcher) or Windows 10, the monitor shows a black screen. How I supposed to fix that? Any suggestions?

Moreover, the ID on the green card is 109-C98581-10_02 V343 VER: 1.1, which means that this is a wx4130 2 gb. I found the same card from another seller with a detailed description.

The performance difference between the 765m and the wx 4130 is too small to warrant this upgrade.
I'm confused whether I should open a dispute? Is this card even working?

 

[howardc64]

Hi there. So, I bought a "wx 4150" gpu from Aliexpress. Before that, I already had a 765m working with Mac OS Sequoia. When loading High Sierra, Sequoia (SSD with Open Legacy Patcher) or Windows 10, the monitor shows a black screen. How I supposed to fix that? Any suggestions?

Moreover, the ID on the green card is 109-C98581-10_02 V343 VER: 1.1, which means that this is a wx4130 2 gb. I found the same card from another seller with a detailed description.

The performance difference between the 765m and the wx 4130 is too small to warrant this upgrade.
I'm confused whether I should open a dispute? Is this card even working?

Performance running latest OCLP macOS will be very different between wx4130 (Polaris) and Kepler GPUs. CPU is much busier with Kepler running later OCLP macOS. Seems to be running GPU shader compiler fairly frequently and taxing the CPU.

 

[shloimy95]

CPU is much busier with Kepler running later OCLP macOS. Seems to be running GPU shader compiler fairly frequently and taxing the CPU.

Interesting, I have 2011 21.5, i5 2.5ghz and upgraded to MX500 SSD, Kepler k2100m GPU, 16gb ram, Sequoia 15.3.2, OCLP 2.2.0. Currently have about 25 browser tabs open and a couple of light apps. Device does not feel slow, checking activity monitor whilst browsing cpu usage 70 - 90%, if I stop for a few seconds cpu usage drops to 4-5%. How would I check if the Kepler gpu is holding me back? I was thinking of upgrading the CPU but maybe I should do gpu instead/as well?

 

[shloimy95]

Looking at prices I could get a E3-1270 for ~$15, a wx4130 is 10x that. It has to be worth the upgrade as well

 

[howardc64]

Interesting, I have 2011 21.5, i5 2.5ghz and upgraded to MX500 SSD, Kepler k2100m GPU, 16gb ram, Sequoia 15.3.2, OCLP 2.2.0. Currently have about 25 browser tabs open and a couple of light apps. Device does not feel slow, checking activity monitor whilst browsing cpu usage 70 - 90%, if I stop for a few seconds cpu usage drops to 4-5%. How would I check if the Kepler gpu is holding me back? I was thinking of upgrading the CPU but maybe I should do gpu instead/as well?

I summarized in prior post linked here Its mostly noticeable on System Settings UI.

 

[shloimy95]

I summarized in prior post linked here

I read your post, it is a great summary and guide for anyone installing a wx3200, but I can't find any performance comparison vs Kepler

Its mostly noticeable on System Settings UI.

I.e. system settings app has high CPU usage when it is running? I will check this sometime

 

[howardc64]

I read your post, it is a great summary and guide for anyone installing a wx3200, but I can't find any performance comparison vs Kepler

Didn't do any perf benchmarks between wx3200 and various Keplers. Post #1 table have the rough perf metrics.

I.e. system settings app has high CPU usage when it is running? I will check this sometime

Link to post #22234 in the prior link text (link shows a few sections, the relavent section is Kepler) describes the Kepler on Sequoia UI perf issues. Activity monitor shows MTLCompilerService task is the high CPU usage. Polaris GPUs seems to not have this CPU consumption problem.

 

[shloimy95]

Link to post #22234 in the prior link text (link shows a few sections, the relavent section is Kepler) describes the Kepler on Sequoia UI perf issues. Activity monitor shows MTLCompilerService task is the high CPU usage. Polaris GPUs seems to not have this CPU consumption problem.

Thank you. I was reading the wrong post, great review. I fully agree with you that it is a fast and fully usable system. iMac 12,1 was my first Mac, a friend gave to me about 3 years ago. Major thanks to OCLP devs, and advice from this forum users I was able to upgrade it, now it has evolved into the go to computer for me and my family (despite sitting on a desk alongside a Dell Inspiron i7 13th Gen) and has kickstarted a hobby/collection for me (see my signature).

MTLCompilerService has been an issue in the past taking all the RAM it could consume but recently I have not noticed it. I wonder if this is because OCLP now disables mediaanalysisd by default for 3802 GPUs, or maybe because I upped the RAM from 12 to 16GB at the same time as installing Sequoia.

 

[caesparza]

Looks great but sadly doesn't work under High Sierra.
It says :
"Failure
This programm works for macOS Mojave 10.14.1 and bove. Use on macOS Mojave 10.14 xxx and newer until macOS Catalina 10.15.7"
How can I use it on High Sierra please ?

Do you know a safe way to uninstall this patches (Lilu and Whatevergreen)?

I installed on High Sierra but the uninstaller doesn't work under that OSX Version. I think the lilu and whatevergreen extensions are giving me trouble to perform the upgrade to a higher OSX version.

I'm not technical savvy as most of the users over here, but I managed to upgrade the GPU to a NVidia Quadro K1100. At some point I had brightness control on the Screen options, then trying to install a newer version of MacOSX I lost the functionality.

Is It possible to do a fresh High Sierra install after the GPU Upgrade.

Thanks.

 

[Lololobolosse]

Hello,
i got an amd M5100 that has a red colored board and with samsung vram, im having weird issues when booting macos, without root patches i can get macos to boot, but with root patches for the gpu, it boots up to a black screen going in a "cycle" with the backlight turning on and off around every 10 seconds and sometimes the top menu bar would show a little, and after attempting a new install of ventura, it boots up to a green screen after the install (i was on the sonoma install prior to the gpu replacement) is the only vbios working with samsung vram the eg2 version ? Should i attempt the modification of the firmware of my imac to use eg2 bios ? or have i not been able to find the correct specific vbios for the red dell M5100 with samsung vram ?

Thanks

 

[Yomaho]

Do you know a safe way to uninstall this patches (Lilu and Whatevergreen)?

I installed on High Sierra but the uninstaller doesn't work under that OSX Version. I think the lilu and whatevergreen extensions are giving me trouble to perform the upgrade to a higher OSX version.

I'm not technical savvy as most of the users over here, but I managed to upgrade the GPU to a NVidia Quadro K1100. At some point I had brightness control on the Screen options, then trying to install a newer version of MacOSX I lost the functionality.

Is It possible to do a fresh High Sierra install after the GPU Upgrade.

Thanks.

Hello,

Do you mean you installed the patch under an older version and now you try to uninstall under High SIerra and it doesn't work ?
Actually, I didn't tried to uninstall because I did severals fresh install of High Sierra so I didn't needed to (if you don't have to save any data, it's around 30 minutes to reinstall OSX High Sierra, without any applications).

With a newer OSX than High Sierra, you don't have brightness control and screen options ? even with OCLP ?

I don't know with the K1100 but with my K4100M I did several fresh install of High Sierra (without OCLP) and it worked great.
Just don't reset your NVRAM or you can lose screen boot and then you will need second screen and use any solution to reactivate your screen.

 

[howardc64]

Thank you. I was reading the wrong post, great review. I fully agree with you that it is a fast and fully usable system. iMac 12,1 was my first Mac, a friend gave to me about 3 years ago. Major thanks to OCLP devs, and advice from this forum users I was able to upgrade it, now it has evolved into the go to computer for me and my family (despite sitting on a desk alongside a Dell Inspiron i7 13th Gen) and has kickstarted a hobby/collection for me (see my signature).

MTLCompilerService has been an issue in the past taking all the RAM it could consume but recently I have not noticed it. I wonder if this is because OCLP now disables mediaanalysisd by default for 3802 GPUs, or maybe because I upped the RAM from 12 to 16GB at the same time as installing Sequoia.

Tested 2x 12,1 running latest OCLP 2.3.1 + macOS 15.4 on cheap Kepler k610m. Setup and initial login seems smoother than before (maybe placebo?) While CPU gets maxed out initially running all kinds of services, it doesn't seem to slow down user's actions such as launching and running the browser. Busy CPU seems to trickle down to near 0% after 5-10min when iMac is left idle. System Settings UI seems faster than before (again, maybe placebo)

In general, seems certainly fast enough to be completely usable for daily usage.

 

[shloimy95]

Setup and initial login seems smoother than before (maybe placebo?)

Same for me, except it spent some time showing Welcome to MAC instead of the Apple logo, then I had to decline automatic updates. I have never seen that before.
I think it is an actual improvement not a placebo. I also tried clicking around the setting app and found that there do not seem to be random freezes anymore.

Busy CPU seems to trickle down to near 0% after 5-10min when iMac is left idle.

Do you mean MTLCompilerService after the update? This is definitely related to RAM, I switched 2 slots to 8gb, now it has 24gb. I watched activity monitor immediately after the reboot, MTLCompilerService appeared 7/8 times probably for about 30 seconds each time sometimes overlapping so at one point it was running 3 times. Each instant rapidly increased in RAM consumption then ended just over 13GB. Was over in less than 5 minutes.