At my wits' end with this iMac 2017's GPU issues.

[Pandemicc]

hello everyone.

I have an iMac 2017 4k that has Radeon 555 Pro. Its GPU fails every three months of use, I replaced the chipset two times now I need some insight before going for the third run. Now it lays dead, waiting, only 2 leds lights up.

First of all, should I just give up? and the second thing I wonder if this thing can be UMA'd? I couldn't find anything on the interwebs about whether the UMA is doable or not.

 

[bzgnyc2]

hello everyone.

I have an iMac 2017 4k that has Radeon 555 Pro. Its GPU fails every three months of use, I replaced the chipset two times now I need some insight before going for the third run. Now it lays dead, waiting, only 2 leds lights up.

First of all, should I just give up? and the second thing I wonder if this thing can be UMA'd? I couldn't find anything on the interwebs about whether the UMA is doable or not.

Are you saying you had someone microsoldering a new GPU chip into this system? Twice?

 

[Pandemicc]

Are you saying you had someone microsoldering a new GPU chip into this system? Twice?

yes, I did. Worked for 3 months too! each!

 

[bzgnyc2]

yes, I did. Worked for 3 months too! each!

Okay good to know. Then perhaps you can explain why after all that are considering trying to fix this machine rather than buying a new Apple Silicon iMac? And I ask that as a happy owner of several still-going-strong Intel Macs. If you do have a specific need for an Intel-based iMac, have you considered spending the money instead on a newer used Intel iMac (e.g. a 2019 4K or a 2020 5K model)?

 

[Pandemicc]

Okay good to know. Then perhaps you can explain why after all that are considering trying to fix this machine rather than buying a new Apple Silicon iMac? And I ask that as a happy owner of several still-going-strong Intel Macs. If you do have a specific need for an Intel-based iMac, have you considered spending the money instead on a newer used Intel iMac (e.g. a 2019 4K or a 2020 5K model)?

right now, I am only concerned with this GPU issue only, looking for source/forums/guides/communities

 

[bzgnyc2]

right now, I am only concerned with this GPU issue only, looking for source/forums/guides/communities

There's the why of it all but in the end this unit is dead and after 3 GPU failures seems a lemon. A microsoldered replacement GPU isn't going to have better reliability than one set at the factory. On the other hand, a used iMac 2019 4K goes for less than the repair cost of this one, it can run macOS through Sequoia rather than Ventura (unsupported), and it will very likely have a factory set GPU. Its CPU and GPU will likely be faster too.

As far as UMA, I assume you mean the Intel GPU that is presumably included in the i5-7400 used on that model. Maybe theoretically possible to hack the system to use that instead of the AMD GPU but even then only if its output is physically connected to the video out to the display. I doubt Apple did that and then it would require a lot of software (possibly firmware) hacking as there was no configuration of that model of iMac that didn't include an AMD GPU. But if you are interested in exploring from a hacking/curiosity perspective, perhaps talk to the OCLP people...