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jay508

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2020
243
153
So you mean with a Catalina loader as first boot device, customized for Quadro card like K1100m, Windows should be able to control the brightness of the LCD of the iMac?
You can also refresh this VBiOS on another device Windows PC laptop or MXM graphics card and then switch to iMac.

Xanderon Linux USB is just one way to refresh M4000M VBIOS on MXM device Windows is very convenient.

You can first install the Windows system on the iMac, set up a good remote desktop, switch on the M4000M boot to Windows to turn on the startup sound, and then another device remote to the iMac to refresh the VBiOS is also possible I do so.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
 
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Nguyen Duc Hieu

macrumors 68040
Jul 5, 2020
3,021
1,008
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
You can also refresh this VBiOS on another device Windows PC laptop or MXM graphics card and then switch to iMac.

Xanderon Linux USB is just one way to refresh M4000M VBIOS on MXM device Windows is very convenient.

You can first install the Windows system on the iMac, set up a good remote desktop, switch on the M4000M boot to Windows to turn on the startup sound, and then another device remote to the iMac to refresh the VBiOS is also possible I do so.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

I totally agree.

It depends on which devices one has at the moment.

I have a HP USDT, which can only be installed with a MXM type A card (small size). I used this USDT PC to flash my WX4150, it's convenient with ATIwinflash.

I could buy a MXM to PCIe x1 adapter, but it would take a little while. But eventually I don't have any tower case windows PC that can work (I have a HP Small Form Factor, hope I can just plug in the adapter with the case open.

A 100W TPD MXM-B card is not fit easily to any Windows PC.
 

jay508

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2020
243
153
I totally agree.

It depends on which devices one has at the moment.

I have a HP USDT, which can only be installed with a MXM type A card (small size). I used this USDT PC to flash my WX4150, it's convenient with ATIwinflash.

I could buy a MXM to PCIe x1 adapter, but it would take a little while. But eventually I don't have any tower case windows PC that can work (I have a HP Small Form Factor, hope I can just plug in the adapter with the case open.

A 100W TPD MXM-B card is not fit easily to any Windows PC.
I use more pcie to MXM development debug card to refresh debug VBiOS very convenient, I also have HP notebook 8770W ZBOOK17 G3 Dell notebook M6800 M7710 and some MXM devices, there is no specific way how convenient how laib
 

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THeKiNGs

macrumors member
Apr 16, 2009
36
11
I use more pcie to MXM development debug card to refresh debug VBiOS very convenient, I also have HP notebook 8770W ZBOOK17 G3 Dell notebook M6800 M7710 and some MXM devices, there is no specific way how convenient how laib
Hi, mind to share from where you got the riser and adapter? All I could find on Aliexpress was just simple pcie to mxm adapter for mining, thanks!
 

jay508

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2020
243
153
Hi, mind to share from where you got the riser and adapter? All I could find on Aliexpress was just simple pcie to mxm adapter for mining, thanks!
This network is not for sale, the retention of very little only a small part of the offline market circulation. This is Nvidia MXM OEM graphics card manufacturers to develop and debug VBiOS drivers and other features are very powerful to use all MXM 3.0 3.1 graphics card interface is also very rich 4DP 1VGA 1LVDS
 

Nguyen Duc Hieu

macrumors 68040
Jul 5, 2020
3,021
1,008
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hi, mind to share from where you got the riser and adapter? All I could find on Aliexpress was just simple pcie to mxm adapter for mining, thanks!

It would be overkilled if you only use on some rare occasions. And it needs a full bench-table setup PC, too. Must use different card for different GPU (AMD & nVIDIA)



To many others, using the iMac's MXM slot is the most convenient solution, with some incompatibility only.
 

jay508

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2020
243
153
It would be overkilled if you only use on some rare occasions. And it needs a full bench-table setup PC, too. Must use different card for different GPU (AMD & nVIDIA)



To many others, using the iMac's MXM slot is the most convenient solution, with some incompatibility only.
Last year I had 15 inventory sold more expensive, and now I only have one in use by myself, most of them are purchased by MXM graphics card repair for repair testing of different MXM graphics cards.
 

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THeKiNGs

macrumors member
Apr 16, 2009
36
11
It would be overkilled if you only use on some rare occasions. And it needs a full bench-table setup PC, too. Must use different card for different GPU (AMD & nVIDIA)
I have a laptop repair service, those can can be useful to debug and test mxm cards but @ that price I say pass, there are other more "traditional" ways to test...
 

G3llings

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 22, 2020
156
89
If it's just for flashing or testing I'm sure you could go with a $40 mining adapter from Amazon. The only downside is no video out, but you could see if it's recognized and drivers install.
Screenshot_20210617-143711~(1).jpg
 

jay508

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2020
243
153
If it's just for flashing or testing I'm sure you could go with a $40 mining adapter from Amazon. The only downside is no video out, but you could see if it's recognized and drivers install.
View attachment 1794571
In China this device costs only $ 13 brand called (速桥) a factory in Shenzhen, China designed and produced, this device $ separately powered pcie * 1 can only be used for Nvidia graphics cards within 50W, compatibility is not good many Nvidia graphics cards do not recognize I also have a device like this
 

Nguyen Duc Hieu

macrumors 68040
Jul 5, 2020
3,021
1,008
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
In China this device costs only $ 13 brand called (速桥) a factory in Shenzhen, China designed and produced, this device $ separately powered pcie * 1 can only be used for Nvidia graphics cards within 50W, compatibility is not good many Nvidia graphics cards do not recognize I also have a device like this

Thank you.
I was about to buy one like this. Now I should reconsider.
So it turns out that the notorious iMac with a Xanderon linux USB is more capable than many other solutions.
 
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THeKiNGs

macrumors member
Apr 16, 2009
36
11
I have a HP 800 G1 USDT for testing MXM A cards, looks like I will cut the case so I can fit the MXM B in for testing... Also I will sacrifice a 2011 27 inch and cut the case on the back for quick gpu/ssd swap and test/install, is the most cheap solution.
 

Nguyen Duc Hieu

macrumors 68040
Jul 5, 2020
3,021
1,008
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
I have a HP 800 G1 USDT for testing MXM A cards, looks like I will cut the case so I can fit the MXM B in for testing... Also I will sacrifice a 2011 27 inch and cut the case on the back for quick gpu/ssd swap and test/install, is the most cheap solution.

I have the same model HP 800G1 USDT. .
You don't need to cut the case.
Just remove the mainboard from the case and use it as a test bench.
Issues:
1. The MXM slot can only take maximum 35W TDP card (by specs)
I install the WX4150 (55W) and the system booted to Windows.
2. MXM type B card may not work. Try a bigger power brick. I bought a 230 W power brick to be sure.
3. Not all card can be recognized.
For example, I bought a Quadro K1100m (MXM typ A) taken from a Dell laptop.
This card prevented the HP 800 G1 from booting.
But it can boot my iMac 2009.
 

jay508

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2020
243
153
I have the same model HP 800G1 USDT. .
You don't need to cut the case.
Just remove the mainboard from the case and use it as a test bench.
Issues:
1. The MXM slot can only take maximum 35W TDP card (by specs)
I install the WX4150 (55W) and the system booted to Windows.
2. MXM type B card may not work. Try a bigger power brick. I bought a 230 W power brick to be sure.
3. Not all card can be recognized.
For example, I bought a Quadro K1100m (MXM typ A) taken from a Dell laptop.
This card prevented the HP 800 G1 from booting.
But it can boot my iMac 2009.
800 G1 on the independent MXM graphics card requires more than 200W power adapter to light up, otherwise the power supply does not light up not boot Oh. You said the other graphics cards in the 800 G1 point does not light up that is the VBiOS problem Oh. Change not different VBiOS can be
 
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THeKiNGs

macrumors member
Apr 16, 2009
36
11
...
You don't need to cut the case.
...
Well I hate to have on my work desk all stuff opened in a mess, also there is no point to keep a board just form testing MXM cards, so I use the 800 G1 for my daily tasks, I think a well cut hole will do the job for trying bigger MXM B, and yes I use the 230W power brick.
BTW I noticed the same "bug" some cards that are not working on G1 does work on iMac, guess is just a matter of compatible vbios...
 

m0bil

macrumors 6502
Sep 29, 2020
453
527
Let's buy a M4000m to try. If it works, we have a cheap and powerful card. If it doesn't, the wasted money is not very high.
Well, I just ordered one, will be out on holidays till early September, hopefully card will come by then and I can give it a go. Would be so great to be able to get emulated boot screen on Opencore...
 

jay508

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2020
243
153
He is just one of them. Very active businessmen!
I'm not an active electronic parts businessman yet really misunderstood me, I'm just an electronic enthusiast personal player various brands of HP Lenovo Dell Mobile Workstation MXM graphics machine Alien laptop I love to play more myself Play machine experience of about 15 years. I will only Chinese these exchanges are in the form of translation.

My job is an e-commerce clothing not electronic accessories China's online shopping platform Alibaba Taobao Tmall Jingdong Pindo selling clothing.

Just these devices in China Taobao Alibaba purchase is easy and convenient, now in China to buy these devices have also become more and more expensive do not know how, many electronic accessories are from around the world big ship to China in the eBay speed sellers Alibaba resold around the world.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
 

jay508

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2020
243
153
Well, I just ordered one, will be out on holidays till early September, hopefully card will come by then and I can give it a go. Would be so great to be able to get emulated boot screen on Opencore...
About three months ago I bought one M4000M and one M3000M cards from Alibaba Taobao for 750 RMB and about 110 USD, and both were brand new HP spare parts.

In mainland China online shopping speed is very fast the next day about 30 hours to deliver the longest will not exceed three days time 72 hours.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
 
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Nguyen Duc Hieu

macrumors 68040
Jul 5, 2020
3,021
1,008
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
I'm not an active electronic parts businessman yet really misunderstood me, I'm just an electronic enthusiast personal player various brands of HP Lenovo Dell Mobile Workstation MXM graphics machine Alien laptop I love to play more myself Play machine experience of about 15 years. I will only Chinese these exchanges are in the form of translation.

My job is an e-commerce clothing not electronic accessories China's online shopping platform Alibaba Taobao Tmall Jingdong Pindo selling clothing.

Just these devices in China Taobao Alibaba purchase is easy and convenient, now in China to buy these devices have also become more and more expensive do not know how, many electronic accessories are from around the world big ship to China in the eBay speed sellers Alibaba resold around the world.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

You are still a very active businessman to me, just not in the electronic field.
Nice job for the vBIOS of M4000m, Jay508!
 

m0bil

macrumors 6502
Sep 29, 2020
453
527
For reference and testing, a couple of vbios from M4000M cards, different from the ones found on techpowerup. They are the same, difference is the uefi/gop driver, first one is vbios read from stock M4000M card, second one is the same but with the uefi/gop driver updated to the latest version from nvidia.

Sign-On Message : GM204 P2754 SKU 502 VGA BIOS
Build GUID : Blank
IFR Subsystem ID : 1028-06DA
Subsystem Vendor ID : 0x1028
Subsystem ID : 0x06DA
Version : 84.04.47.00.12
Image Hash : 7FB6F92C2ADB212C3EEE3845C8DBED6C
Product Name : GM204 Board
Device Name(s) : Quadro M4000M
Board ID : 0xE912
Vendor ID : 0x10DE
Device ID : 0x13F9
Hierarchy ID : Normal Board
Chip SKU : 975-0
Project : 2754-0502
Build Date : 12/26/14
Modification Date : 12/29/14
UEFI Version : 0x20008
UEFI Variant ID : 0x0000000000000006 ( GM2xx )
UEFI Signer(s) : Microsoft Corporation UEFI CA 2011
XUSB-FW Version ID : N/A
XUSB-FW Build Time : N/A
InfoROM Version : N/A
InfoROM Backup : Not Present
License Placeholder : Not Present
GPU Mode : N/A
CEC OTA-signed Blob : Not Present

Sign-On Message : GM204 P2754 SKU 502 VGA BIOS
Build GUID : Blank
IFR Subsystem ID : 1028-06DA
Subsystem Vendor ID : 0x1028
Subsystem ID : 0x06DA
Version : 84.04.47.00.12
Image Hash : 7FB6F92C2ADB212C3EEE3845C8DBED6C
Product Name : GM204 Board
Device Name(s) : Quadro M4000M
Board ID : 0xE912
Vendor ID : 0x10DE
Device ID : 0x13F9
Hierarchy ID : Normal Board
Chip SKU : 975-0
Project : 2754-0502
Build Date : 12/26/14
Modification Date : 12/29/14
UEFI Version : 0x20011
UEFI Variant ID : 0x0000000000000006 ( GM2xx )
UEFI Signer(s) : Microsoft Corporation UEFI CA 2011
XUSB-FW Version ID : N/A
XUSB-FW Build Time : N/A
InfoROM Version : N/A
InfoROM Backup : Not Present
License Placeholder : Not Present
GPU Mode : N/A
CEC OTA-signed Blob : Not Present
 

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snakesm

macrumors newbie
Sep 11, 2021
27
2
Hi,
Thanks for all this useful info, having it I'm in courage to upgrade my iMac mid 2011 27" with
Nvidia Quadro M3000M (was able to acquire it with not a fortune price as most other GPUs currently cost)

This kind question is mostly to jay508 or anyone else same good with those cards :)

Is it possible for you to help me with updated bios (or point me to the process If I can do it myself) for
Nvidia Quadro M300M 4GB (i bet its pulled from Dell but don't have 100% confirmation)

so far I was able to install the card into Mac (with modded heatthink) and pulled original vBios using flash boot disk that @xanderon

I was able to save originla bios to backup and this is how it looks like in the BIOS twicker (attached it here as well)

But unfortunately I don't know what or how to modify anything here (including Vendor and the name)

1631358014212.png


Regards Sergiy
 

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Last edited:

The_Croupier

macrumors 6502
Oct 11, 2018
419
284
Hi,
Thanks for all this useful info, having it I'm in courage to upgrade my iMac mid 2011 27" with
Nvidia Quadro M3000M (was able to acquire it with not a fortune price as most other GPUs currently cost)

This kind question is mostly to jay508 or anyone else same good with those cards :)

Is it possible for you to help me with updated bios (or point me to the process If I can do it myself) for
Nvidia Quadro M300M 4GB (i bet its pulled from Dell but don't have 100% confirmation)

so far I was able to install the card into Mac (with modded heatthink) and pulled original vBios using flash boot disk that @xanderon

I was able to save originla bios to backup and this is how it looks like in the BIOS twicker (attached it here as well)

But unfortunately I don't know what or how to modify anything here (including Vendor and the name)

View attachment 1829489

Regards Sergiy
I don’t believe the M series cards are compatible with our old intel iMacs. I would think if they were we would already have custom vroms posted in the gpu upgrade thread from the talented devs there.
 
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