[GUIDE] Hacking NVMe Speed on MacBook Pro (2012) - PCIe 2.0 to PCIe 3.0

*Turn on subtitle for better understanding of the topic
In this video we elaborate regarding the hidden switch inside the Apple UEFI controlling the CPU's PCIe port speed.
Contents in this Video:
00:00 - Introduction to the problem
01:39 - PCIe Speed unlocking process
07:41 - Explanation & working mechanism for the PCIe speed switching
Useful links:
-UEFITool
github.com/LongSoft/UEFITool
-Modified PCIe 3.0 file:
drive.google.com/file/d/1FaJQ...
-Related posts on Facebook:
/ 10157191839801689
/ 1926940370809201
/ 3481540611877014
Before you try any of these modifications, we highly recommend you to watch all videos in the playlist and make sure to understand them all, only then you can execute the modifications. By all means, you are performing all these soldering AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Link to NevBolt-1 (for MBP 13" 2012 & 2011):
www.tindie.com/products/25559/
Link to NevBolt-2 (for MBP 15" 2012 & 2011):
www.tindie.com/products/25716/
iboffrcc.com/pages/nevbolt-2-...
FAQ:
1. When is the X-GPU for the iMac and MacBook will be released to the modders?
We are trying hard finalizing the final design & installation method for the whole system that is intended to ease the modders installing on their own, and you need to understand all these RnD and projects are coming from our own pocket(mostly logicboard repairs), not crowdfunded source. So every PCB revisions are manufactured only after they are carefully designed and revised, we're not gonna produce another PCB batch just to correct a drill hole mistake! and every penny from our own pocket counts. But no worries, we are trying our best!
2. Why did we make it?
We built it for fun, the original thoughts when this project started was just because we want to have an ideal laptop that we can use for ourselves; upgradable, repairable; these models are known for its high repairability rate and its parts are cheap, so they're easy to maintain for everyday use for a repair shop like us. We also create it just to test our soldering skills and manufacturing precision.
3. Can I edit 4K after upgrading to NVMe SSD?
The short answer is NO, it requires a lot of criteria for a machine to be able to edit 4K(CPU single thread performance, GPU performance, Disk speed, etc.) Adding NVMe drive only improve the Read/Write speed of files into and out of the Mac, but not adding RAW processing power.
4. I still need this for 4K editing. So how?
If you really need it for 4K editing, you need to modify the MBP 15-inch 2012 as shown in the last clip in the video, with NVMe speed unlocked & X-GPU mod. Use the SATA SSD as your boot(MacOS), the NVMe is used for scratch disk/editing.
5. So why bother upgrading it to NVMe and all these hassles?
What we are showing here proves that these methods of extracting PCIe lanes are possible, and we can apply the same concept to all newer expensive and sophisticated Macs. Would you start this project with a 2000USD Machine? of course not. And it's really interesting to see what these old machines can still do after upgrading it with new hardwares.
6. Will this modification beats the M1 Macs?
Yes, and no. Depends on your perspective. Overall performance - in some areas yes, but overall of course not. Longevity and maintenance - nailed it!
Stay tuned for more interesting projects for your Mac! Hope you guys enjoyed this video, and thanks for watching!
You want us to solder/install it to your MacBook?
Contact our email at [e-mail] or FaceBook at / logicboard.m. .
The X-GPU Project couldn’t get this far without the incredible works from these people:
OpenCore Team at Dortania
MacProUpgrade Group
@Louis Rossmann
UEFITool Team : CodeRush@Nikolaj Schlej
VGA BIOS modders on MacRumors
@dosdude1
Acidanthera Project - vit9696
Hackintosh Community
Robert Feranec
MacBook Logic Board Repair group
MacBook Board Repair Community
and the list goes on….

[@kennyroody]

This is absolutely amazing work!!!! This brings up a bunch of questions. How many secrets are out there on various pieces of equipment.

[@stripher273]

great video and detailed explanation, you just earned another subscriber! keep it up!

[@iBoffRCC]

Awesome, thank you!

[@apfvm9145]

@@iBoffRCC my firmware still stuck at 233.0.0 what should i do?

[@rcardona2001]

@iBoffRCC - Great work! Is it possible to create an EFI dump of this to use on other Macbooks without having to go through all these steps? It is possible to modify the serial number of the EFI's with a Hex-editor at the "ssn" string near the end of the file. It can help simplify this whole process for flashing multiple.

[@ProfOliveiraJunior]

@iBoff RCC do you sell mid2012 motherboard with NVME adapter and this pci 3.0 upgrade? Needing it here in Brazil. Thank you for your work!

[@danandrei96]

Hi! This is a great project and I appreciate the crazy amount of work you've put into it. I wonder, have you considered building a PCIe board with an intel thunderbolt controller? I know it's a lot (and I mean a huge lot) of work to make something like that, but I think if you use one of the controllers that is present on latest intel macs, the drivers should be available in macOS and overall the project should be doable. I know the direct PCIe slot is better for bandwidth and has less overhead, but it would be so crazy cool and convenient to run thunderbolt 3 on these old machines, especially since your mod removes the old thunderbolt controller.

[@Kelison05]

You guys are AWESOME!

[@bennaambo2716]

Awesome Work wish i could send you my imac 2011 Logicboard for the mod

[@frederickcasbadillo8914]

What about the mid 2012 retina model? Can this be done also?

[@burton_bordel]

is there any posibility to connect this unused pcie lanes in 2012 13 macbook pro ?

[@liampaulmcguinness]

Great Video man. Can i upgrade my Link speed on 2014 Mac Mini in Mac Os after the NVME is installed ? I'm using Samsung 980 Pro installed but only have 5.0GT/s. Thanks

[@khanhdoan3891]

Does it applicable to A1398 model? (Pro Mid-2012)? Thank you

[@88Lucius]

Hi,it’s that possible on Macbook Pro A1297?17”

[@nutechmedia]

Luar biasa..apakah thunderbolt port masih bisa bekerja dan bisakah digunakan fusion drive with NVME+SATA SSD??Thanks..

[@fuckfuck324]

Does this work for my Early 2015 MacBook Pro?

[@alanshaw6161]

Would this work on a late 2013. 15” MBP?

[@ItNoWorky]

So on the intel hd models the x8 is going to thunderbolt, does that mean that the thunder bolt port can actually use that bandwidth or does it just use 4 lanes regardless?

[@iBoffRCC]

Hi, for this specific model, 13inch- 2012, its hardwired to thunderbolt only with 4 lanes. the rest of 12 lanes are not connected

[@petroseraphim]

Did not work for me. NVME SSD 970 EVO plus before BIOS Update got 400 mbps and after BIOS update got only 800 mbs (x1 mode only). It should be reading x4 and up to 3200 mbps or more.

[@marcel_one_]

Unbelievable!!!

[@jbinfa7k]

Downgrading to PCIe 2.0? Does it result in longer battery life?

[@Dreyzie]

Mastery at it's best.

[@rpc160]

This is simply amazing. I am wondering if this pcei 3.0 unlock method works on a 2012 mac Pro 6,1 (aka trash can).

[@ikemkrueger]

There are some kind of „crocodile clips“ you can use to program the bios chip.

[@rusavv]

Thanks to this video, I've upgraded my Mid 2012 MacBook Air 11 to 8 GT/s and installed NVMe drive now works at 1800 MB/s speed! Very cool! I wonder if this can be done with Mac Pro 6.1?

[@user-ui4fn6fj3p]

Hi, is it possible to connect PCIe x8 device to this using external connector, or only x4?

[@iBoffRCC]

hi, yes it can connect even PCIe x16 device but the system will only read x4 because of the link width from the CPU for this model is maxed at x4.

[@djaymigz98]

How much would it cost me if you make this mod on my Mid 2014 Macbook Pro ?

[@michaelmo267]

Hi is it possible to activate pcie 4?

[@rayrvidal4199]

Hi I love what your do here .. keep it up ..I just wanted to know if you could speed up nvme ssd for a mind 2015 MacBook Pro but without the hard wiring , is there a way ?

[@iBoffRCC]

Hi, MBP 2015 13 inch right, unfortunately the CPU itself is only PCIe 2.0 so theres nothing you can do about it. it will stuck at max 1500RW. you can check the intel link here for the i5-5250u (find PCIe Express Revision) : ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/84984/intel-core-i55250u-processor-3m-cache-up-to-2-70-ghz.html

[@VIMAACUSTICO]

hey there nice video! can u tell me do u think it will work on mpb 13 early 2015 with i7 3.1 ? im stuck on 1300Mb because of PCIe 2.0.

[@nothin1456]

Exactly my question

[@ignitedminds999]

From where u are only you can update I want that

[@skouuM]

Hi iBoff! I really like your work, im curently upgrading my 15inch 2014 mbp to a nvme drive to get pcie 2 x4 speed but im wondering if theres a way to get pcie 3 speed since the 2015 version has it have the same i7 4980hq as mine. Thanks!

[@iBoffRCC]

Hi, we've already checked the boardview for MBP 15" 2014, it seems that the Nvme is hardwired to the PCH, but not to the CPU. Unfortunately PCH for haswell only support pcie 2.0 For MBP 15" 2015, the Nvme is connected to the CPU, so it can get PCIe 3.0 x4

[@skouuM]

@@iBoffRCC wow thanks for the fast and explained reponse!

[@apfvm9145]

I’ve updated to latest catalina update but my boot rom still 233.0.0

[@mambito]

will pci gen 3 work running Linux,? i only run manjaro as main os and mac sierra as a virtual machine

[@jhonjhon1740]

yes

[@bazinga2k116]

Can you tell what brand is that egpu case

[@iBoffRCC]

you can search for B2 Plus or B2 ITX

[@TraderRetailClub]

How do I contact you, the fb is not enabled, I would like you to do all the possible upgrade to my MacAir 2013, thanks for your time

[@iBoffRCC]

you can contact us at [e-mail]. the MBA 2013 can upgrade to max 16GB and NVMe SSD.

[@reginaldbowls7180]

Does this work with the 2012 retina MacBooks?

[@iBoffRCC]

For 15inch 2012 retina you will get nvme speed 8GTS at PCIE X2, so around 1500rw For 13inch 2012 retina you can only use sata m.2 SSD

[@vampritt]

omg i did not know that my macbook pro 2012 can do these nvme speed

[@MrDjpimenta1]

Ninja !

[@user-so7fk1rw2t]

Can I use win10？

[@user-so7fk1rw2t]

I tried to add nvme in a1398 2012, but I can't use win10

[@iBoffRCC]

maybe you need to try install in EFI mode. yes this one can install nvme with windows 10

[@bungibungurov4388]

Can I send you my MacBook to make this Nvme Upgrade?

[@neelkalpa]

Will this work with OpenCore and Monterrey?

[@iBoffRCC]

yes it will. we are using OC with Big Sur for now.

[@neelkalpa]

@@iBoffRCC Will an update for Big Sur/ Monterey wipe all the changes?

[@iBoffRCC]

@@neelkalpa Big Sur / Monterey is not officially supported for this 2012 model, so there is no EFI update for this Mac even we install the BS/Monterey. So, nope it will not wipe the code. The main concern is the Security update for Catalina.

[@neelkalpa]

@@iBoffRCC Thanks! And what about High Sierra?

[@iBoffRCC]

@@neelkalpa High Sierra's security update was discontinued for the past two years.

[@cr4zyw3ld3r]

Holy smokes! Could this be made to work for the 2012 Mac Mini?

[@iBoffRCC]

Well we tried this to Mac Mini, but we can't find anywhere to tap the NVMe SSD

[@cr4zyw3ld3r]

@@iBoffRCC I think only select models had it, I used an Amazon adapter to fit my nvme drive in place of the apple model. Unless you are referring to tapping into the controller traces themselves?

[@iBoffRCC]

@@cr4zyw3ld3r yes, there's no way to tap in place of other controller since removing that specific controller will render the mac mini unusable

[@cr4zyw3ld3r]

@@iBoffRCC ahh, makes sense, really unfortunate since this is such a leap in performance!

[@zaptority]

Would this work with open core?

[@jhonjhon1740]

It should

[@cucunfery1927]

create content upgrade ram ddr3 MacBook pro 2012 to 32 gb , 64 g ect

[@star43able]

you should sell pre modded boards

[@CliffDeane_WL_Studios]

would this work on a late 2013 Retina?

[@iBoffRCC]

unfortunately on that specific model, the SSD port was hardwired to PCH that only supports PCIe 2.0

[@MrN3wbLive]

Bruhhhhh

[@danyram]

@linustechtips look