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

[leksok]

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Hello, i have a imac mid 2010 27“, i bought a quadro m2000m and i only use windows. i only get a black display, do i only have to flash the vbios, if so do i need a specific one or is the card completely incompatible with the mac?

Hello, the video card works fine under Windows. But there's a catch. You need to know how you installed it, from a CD or a flash drive. If it's from a CD, the picture will appear, but the backlight won't work. If it's from a flash drive, the picture and backlight will appear, but the sound won't work. To fix the sound, you need to edit files in Windows itself.

 

[imacker2011]

You cannot alter the vBIOS (it has been signed), so you will never get the display discovered as an internal one and you will not have brightness control unless you are willing to use a hardware solution to control it. Achieving all this needed OpenCore vBIOS injection, which only works with macOS.

I had to do all the hardware stuff with the RX6600M (runs only in 2009/2010 like some RX480 and WX7100, has at least twice the performance of the 5500XT), but it is not worth the trouble when you end up with an 2010 CPU system.

At some point in future we may see RX5500XT / RX6600M support for macOS versions later than Monterey. Right now the team lost a little bit momentum. Personally I bought a little M4 mini, with outperforms all my iMacs in any competition you may throw at it.

FWIW, the seller offered a RX6600M as well (for a ridiculous price of 350$). But I agree with you, it's actually not worth it. For work purposes, I also mainly switched to a MBA M4 with 2 external monitors. Still using one of my iMacs 2011 with Sequoia as a fallback machine. My intention with the AMD card was mainly to get better Linux driver support once Apple completely drops Intel. While the Kepler cards work with the latest Nouveau/Mesa/NVK packages, performance is still only around 50% of Windows.

 

[SolideSteeve]

Hello,
I have an iMac 2011 A1311 and a Dell K2100M (N15P-Q3-A1).
I need the correct Apple EFI VBIOS (256 KB) for this card.
Could you please share the proper ROM file?
Thank you.

 

[MinWizi]

I have an Imac 12,2 27 inch. My stock GPU just died. I have purchased an AMD 5500 XT off ebay and have been going through this thread to get it installed. I need help with the next step to get the card flashed. I have installed homebrew and flashrom in terminal (I am using a Mac Pro 5,1 to do this) If you look at my terminal screenshot (attached) you can see that the flashrom command isn't working... what am i doing wrong? any help or thoughts is very appreciated!

 

[imacker2011]

Hello,
I have an iMac 2011 A1311 and a Dell K2100M (N15P-Q3-A1).
I need the correct Apple EFI VBIOS (256 KB) for this card.
Could you please share the proper ROM file?
Thank you.

Hello, please see the table in the first post of this thread, under NVIDIA Kepler the post with the ROM file is linked.

 

[Brmp85]

Hi, sorry maybe a stupid question: have you flashed the VBIOS? without the correct VBIOS you will not see anything.

No, I have not yet flashed the VBIOS, I have prepared the usb stick (Linux tool mentioned above) to do it but first I need to be able to disable the SIP. There is the problem, I cannot boot in recovery mode because the display is not showing anything. The only thing I can do is a normal boot (and yes then it shows the new nvidia card). How can I (without anything showing on display) go to recovery mode, disable SIP, install the package mentioned so that the boot screen shows AND I can choose the Linux stick? Or is this the part where I disconnect the boot hard drive so it automatically chooses the linux stick with the VBIOS flash tool? Thanks.

 

[imacker2011]

No, I have not yet flashed the VBIOS, I have prepared the usb stick (Linux tool mentioned above) to do it but first I need to be able to disable the SIP. There is the problem, I cannot boot in recovery mode because the display is not showing anything. The only thing I can do is a normal boot (and yes then it shows the new nvidia card). How can I (without anything showing on display) go to recovery mode, disable SIP, install the package mentioned so that the boot screen shows AND I can choose the Linux stick? Or is this the part where I disconnect the boot hard drive so it automatically chooses the linux stick with the VBIOS flash tool? Thanks.

Yes, if you don't have a picture on the screen, the easiest thing to do is exactly this. Sometimes you get a picture when booting from the Linux stick, otherwise you have to SSH into the computer remotely.

 

[countryhick]

@Brmp85

Just follow the step by step guide on Ausdauersportler's Github regarding using his GRML tool. https://github.com/Ausdauersportler/GRML-FLASH
I'm pretty certain you do NOT need to disable SIP on your 2011 iMac. This is because GRML runs in it's own standalone Linux environment.

 

[countryhick]

@MinWizi

I don't have an answer for why Flashrom isn't working on your Mac... I also had lots of trouble getting Flashrom and a CH341A to work on my 12,2 iMac running OCLP and Sequoia...
In the end I gave up and pulled out my laptop with Win11, loaded the CH341A drivers, installed NeoProgrammer and everything worked straight away...
A good repository for all things CH341A is https://github.com/YTEC-info

 

[SolideSteeve]

Hello, please see the table in the first post of this thread, under NVIDIA Kepler the post with the ROM file is liI am very grateful for your reply, thank you.

Hello, please see the table in the first post of this thread, under NVIDIA Kepler the post with the ROM file is linked.

I am very grateful for your reply, thank you.

 

[MinWizi]

@MinWizi

I don't have an answer for why Flashrom isn't working on your Mac... I also had lots of trouble getting Flashrom and a CH341A to work on my 12,2 iMac running OCLP and Sequoia...
In the end I gave up and pulled out my laptop with Win11, loaded the CH341A drivers, installed NeoProgrammer and everything worked straight away...
A good repository for all things CH341A is https://github.com/YTEC-info

Thanks, I do have a windows laptop; I'll try it that way and see if I can get it handled! ...I wouldn't have thought to do that without your input so thanks again!

 

[CrazySparow]

Hello everyone.

I'm currently upgrading my mid-2010 iMac, the 27-inch model (11.3-inch). I bought an SSD, 16GB of RAM, and an i7 processor. The only thing left to do is replace the graphics card. I found a table on your forum that indicates my iMac model should work with almost all graphics cards, both Nvidia and AMD. The AMD Pro WX 4130 is listed as the best upgrade option, but after searching the forum, I found almost no reports of successfully installing such cards on my iMac (11.3-inch), nor of successfully updating the BIOS. Has anyone here had any success?

If anyone has successfully installed the WX 4130 in an older iMac, please share your experiences. What are the pitfalls? How do I flash the BIOS? Is it feasible?

 

[countryhick]

@CrazySparow Welcome mate 🙂

Your 11,3 is actually one of the best models for doing a GPU upgrade on, as they are compatible with the largest amount of GPU's and the WX4130 will also be in that range of compatible GPU's.
Read more here.
https://github.com/Ausdauersportler...e-incompatible-combinations-of-cards-an-imacs

Two Options for flashing the VBIOS.
(The easiest in my opinion is to use method 1.)
1. Software flash it using the brilliant GRML Flash tool by Ausdauersportler
https://github.com/Ausdauersportler/GRML-FLASH
If you follow his instructions from top to bottom you should have no problems.

2. Physically flash it using something like the Ch341a flasher with a chip clip.
This method can be a PITA for a couple of reasons, and you'll obviously need to purchase the necessary hardware to flash using this method.
A good repository for all things CH341A is https://github.com/YTEC-info

As for pitfalls, I would say the main one is making sure when you mount the new GPU to the heatsink die, you get excellent contact with the main chip and RAM, but ensure you don't have shorts anywhere else.

If you haven't seen it already, another great resource of information is from forum member Howardc64
https://sites.google.com/view/imac-metal-gpu/home

Is it feasible.... Depends on what your goals are?
I love the hardware of these old Macs and use mine daily for browsing and other low intensity tasks...
When you combine the Metal capable GPU and OCLP, these machines are still plenty capable.

 

[dorninko]

Hello everyone.

I'm currently upgrading my mid-2010 iMac, the 27-inch model (11.3-inch). I bought an SSD, 16GB of RAM, and an i7 processor. The only thing left to do is replace the graphics card. I found a table on your forum that indicates my iMac model should work with almost all graphics cards, both Nvidia and AMD. The AMD Pro WX 4130 is listed as the best upgrade option, but after searching the forum, I found almost no reports of successfully installing such cards on my iMac (11.3-inch), nor of successfully updating the BIOS. Has anyone here had any success?

If anyone has successfully installed the WX 4130 in an older iMac, please share your experiences. What are the pitfalls? How do I flash the BIOS? Is it feasible?

Hi, I installed about 10 WX4130 cards in various iMacs (2010, 2011, 27", 21,5") and it was straight forward: installing on the cooling plate, flashing with the grml stick (through ssh from another iMac) and installing OCLP. The tricky thing might be the systemfirmware update. If your iMac is not on the latest version, yoou have to install HighSierra on the original (Apple) HDD but the wx4130 has a problem with highsierra: you need to plug in an external monitor or a dummy plug (all of this is documented in this thread).
But the WX4130 works fine with OCLP and Sequoia.

 

[CrazySparow]

@CrazySparow Welcome mate 🙂

Your 11,3 is actually one of the best models for doing a GPU upgrade on, as they are compatible with the largest amount of GPU's and the WX4130 will also be in that range of compatible GPU's.
Read more here.
https://github.com/Ausdauersportler...e-incompatible-combinations-of-cards-an-imacs

Two Options for flashing the VBIOS.
(The easiest in my opinion is to use method 1.)
1. Software flash it using the brilliant GRML Flash tool by Ausdauersportler
https://github.com/Ausdauersportler/GRML-FLASH
If you follow his instructions from top to bottom you should have no problems.

2. Physically flash it using something like the Ch341a flasher with a chip clip.
This method can be a PITA for a couple of reasons, and you'll obviously need to purchase the necessary hardware to flash using this method.
A good repository for all things CH341A is https://github.com/YTEC-info

As for pitfalls, I would say the main one is making sure when you mount the new GPU to the heatsink die, you get excellent contact with the main chip and RAM, but ensure you don't have shorts anywhere else.

If you haven't seen it already, another great resource of information is from forum member Howardc64
https://sites.google.com/view/imac-metal-gpu/home

Is it feasible.... Depends on what your goals are?
I love the hardware of these old Macs and use mine daily for browsing and other low intensity tasks...
When you combine the Metal capable GPU and OCLP, these machines are still plenty capable.

Well, I've already decided on the method, since I'm an engineer and it's easier for me to rebuild a computer than program anything. So, my go-to method is the CH341A programmer, which I successfully used. Now, I hope I'm not being too presumptuous, because everything here is very confusing and it's very difficult to find the information myself. Here's my BIOS version (Dell/Compal Crane 15 BaffinM GL LE A1 GDDR5 4GB 300e/300m
ATOMBIOSBK-AMD VER015.050.000.001.020625)

I would appreciate some advice:

• Which VBIOS should I use for an iMac 11,3 (27" Mid 2010)?
• Is there a recommended ROM for this specific Dell WX4130 with Elpida memory?
• Where can I download it?

 

[Pacific1972]

Well, I've already decided on the method, since I'm an engineer and it's easier for me to rebuild a computer than program anything. So, my go-to method is the CH341A programmer, which I successfully used. Now, I hope I'm not being too presumptuous, because everything here is very confusing and it's very difficult to find the information myself. Here's my BIOS version (Dell/Compal Crane 15 BaffinM GL LE A1 GDDR5 4GB 300e/300m
ATOMBIOSBK-AMD VER015.050.000.001.020625)

I would appreciate some advice:

• Which VBIOS should I use for an iMac 11,3 (27" Mid 2010)?
• Is there a recommended ROM for this specific Dell WX4130 with Elpida memory?
• Where can I download it?

You can find a BIOS on Ausdauersportlers GitHub Page
​

I would try the GOP ROM (GOP file directory) or the EG ROM (EG file directory) !

GOP https://github.com/Ausdauersportler/IMAC-EFI-BOOT-SCREEN/blob/main/GOP/WX4130_GOP.rom
EG https://github.com/Ausdauersportler/IMAC-EFI-BOOT-SCREEN/blob/main/EG/WX4130_EnableGop.rom.zip

alternative you search in this thread for "WX4130 ELPIDA", sometimes there is an Alternative ROM for this card.

EG Alternative EG ROM

It's better to flash that BIOS chip with CH341 ROM programmer, 'cause you can verify BIOS before
rebuild the iMac with the GPU - don't produce short circuits with GPU & cooler, don't forget any cables !
Some people combine a 75W-120W GPU with an i7 or XEON CPU and forget the limitation of the power
supply (maxed out Power, but not stable for a daily driver and mostly too hot) !

😊 👍

 

[dorninko]

That's really a pity, I am sorry to hear that. So buying one of these may actually not be a good idea. Did you try gaming in Windows, though? From my experience, games generally don't work well in MacOS anymore with patched OS and old Metal versions. In Windows, however, performance is still good. Additionally, the RX5500XT should play nicely with Linux (which, in fact, was the reason why I was interested in the first place).

Hello, thanks for the suggestion, I installed Windows 11 on my iMac 12,2 with the RX5500Tx card and it really makes a difference, games run much better than on MacOS. Installing Windows (without using OCLP) was not so easy but it works fine now.