How to Upgrade/Replace GPU Graphics Card on Mid-2011 21.5" iMac

[@felipe-felipe404]

how's the card holding? the distance between the heatsink and the card concerns me

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Good work sir. I enjoyed watching this video and would love to try this myself one day. (:

[@arricammarques1955]

Tech It Out: What is the max upgrade available for 21.5 2011 iMac?

[@joeyguedes9948]

Hello, how is everything? I have a mid 2011 imac, and I'm going to put the gtx770m 3gb how was the gpu heating issue for you? Did this heatsink keep it cool? I watched some videos that said it was orbital to be 3-way the dissipator.... what do you think?

[@blendwolfe8291]

OMG Bro, ran into one of your vids again. I love you bruh!

[@ydr4717]

Why not film everything and then edit later? I'm confused why you turned off the camera during some of the integral steps of the process like breaking off that part. Otherwise very good content.

[@gustavocantu1794]

Sweet Jesus I broke one of the tiny lil connectors... All well. The computer was useless anyways. 😭

[@ranaharoonhacker]

Thanks for solution. will it work for Catalina too now?

[@nlawson2004]

I’m going to get crucified for this, but to be clear, is the GPU the same physical piece as the Graphics Card? Or are they separate pieces that end up working together? Because I could swear I’ve seen other videos of GPU upgrades where it’s a smaller rectangular metal chip without the flat green board attached to it, i.e. the flat Graphic Card part?

[@JackSchue]

The graphics card is the whole card, and the gpu is technically just the little processing chip on the card, under the heatsinc... but usually people just refer the the whole card as the gpu. The gpu chip is not separable from the card, so almost always if someone says GPU or Graphics Card they mean the same thing.

[@JackSchue]

Sometimes the GPU is soldered directly to the motherboard, like in most laptops. This would be one of the only situations where an upgrade would mean JUST the gpu chip and not a card.

[@nlawson2004]

Jack Schue Got it. So in this situation detailed above, the gpu is attached to the whole continent, i.e. the motherboard, that holds everything else together, as one massive all encompassing piece, and the only the gpu alone can be removed (in terms of graphics). But in the other situation, the graphic card is like it’s own separate island that also has a gpu attached to it, and together they can be swapped out as one piece, apart from the rest of the motherboard (continent), like if the gpu is a hut, it’s like removing the island and the hut attached to it, combined, to swap out for another island with hut combination. Appreciate the clarity.

[@ITOFOLCHForadaRotina]

Can you tell me the link where did you bought the GPU ? or the model did you install please?

[@GabrielLee]

Thank you, I did it and everything works fine. Can you make a video how to install windows or mojave on this, wihtout boting screen

[@oscarcamargop]

Did you modify the bios?

[@encinobalboa]

How is the power supply doing? The 21.5 is only 210 watts IIRC. Not a whole lot of overhead for the 3GB 770M.

[@techitout4710]

Actually not so great. I didn’t consider that when upgrading the card. It causes some issues with sleep (it doesn’t work) and it seems that 1) the Mac runs much hotter because of the strain on the PSU, and 2) it doesn’t sleep because if you turn the Mac off and turn it back on, it doesn’t always turn back on immediately. It seems like some sort of overdraw protection in the power supply

[@encinobalboa]

@@techitout4710 Yeah, loss of functionality is a real problem. Flash to restore sleep and boot screen looks interesting but beyond my capability. Anyways, Apple still supports High Sierra so I am not being forced to NVidia.

[@encinobalboa]

@@techitout4710 Regarding heat, my 21.5 in stock configuration is a heater compared to my 27. I wish there were more vent holes.

[@DukesDZN]

@@techitout4710 Bro, you have to patch you Bios cmon

[@PiMi91]

wait i can install whatever mxm gpu no matter which one? 😮

[@chrissoba5104]

I have the iMac at the end of 2009 10.1 core 2 Duo, 27'' what type of processor do you recommend that I finally buy to boost my iMac.

[@techitout4710]

Can you DM my instagram?

[@techitout4710]

I would have to do some research but I’ll see what I can do

[@bhg00]

You can actually remove the gpu and keep the motherboard in Great video thanks

[@bryanzillig2280]

Hey, how do you remove the GPU without removing the motherboard? Thanks!

[@cowardice9737]

I have a pretty bad graphics card for running games. AMD Radeon HD 6750M(whatever that means)

[@cesius1337]

Very good video! Is the CPU/GPU upgrade worth? I think for doing gaming/video editing in 2020

[@toobisgoobis7753]

CPU is not worth upgrading for many reasons, unless you’re talking about upgrading to an i7 2600S. Not a huge performance bump for most things. Upgrading past the 2600S is not possible due to thermal requirements and power supply requirements the iMac cannot meet.

[@antoniolacasacoscujuela6075]

hola donde podia compra la tarjeta que mencionas? tengo el mismo imac

[@oscarfilms9375]

Is that the latest generation gpu imac can't take? What about a later one like a 900 series?

[@TornikeJanashvili]

Hello, I have 2009 21.5" iMac, is this same case and same graphic card compatible for my iMac?

[@chowandrew2458]

Hello I’m doing the same upgrade but I used the gtx 765m I also don’t have the original drive with macOS installed Now the computer only gives out boot chime once and the screen doesn’t turn on Did you have similar issue when upgrading?

[@gondar36]

Hay que modificar la bios de la GPU, en el video no sale pero la grafica que el cambia tubo que modificarle la bios GPU para que funcione.

[@Willianakata]

Chow Andrew, is your imac 21.5? And how was your imac after updating with this video card?

[@chowandrew2458]

@@Willianakata yes and my computer is running smoothly on Monterey using OCLP for like 2 years🙈

[@Willianakata]

@@chowandrew2458 Thanks for answering! I will also buy the gtx 765m card to update my iMac 21.5 (mid 2011). Did you need to do something specific or just change the board and that's it? And did you need to change any other parts, such as the processor?

[@navinkv007]

@@Willianakata hey I’m planning to upgrade gpu of 2011 imac 21.5 inch. Pls guide me link to buy the gpu and which one do u suggest for running macOS Monterey?

[@LarsPallesen]

Why would I need an NVIDIA 770M GPU when this particular iMac came with either an ATI Radeon HD 6750M (2.5Mhz) or a HD 6770M (2.7Mhz) GPU?

[@aarn7397]

The AMD GPUs apple used in this era iMacs and in the MacBook pros had a high failure rate, and they don't support the Metal API that Mojave and newer versions of Macos require

[@marcuscorreia6936]

Work in IMac 2006 late 20 Inc

[@andyv4822]

Where to get graphics card

[@encinobalboa]

I want to keep the boot screen. When I upgrade the GPU in my Mid 2011 27, the 6970M 1GB will move over to my 21.5. That will double the VRAM and take some of the load off the CPU.

[@davidtian6262]

Can I do this for iMac mid 2010 21.5 inch A1311? Thanks

[@nelftm]

Can you use the gpu from a mid 2011 27 inch in the 21.5 model?

[@landychev]

No, they use different mxm standard for the gpu.

[@_rimo]

no thermal pads?

[@gondar36]

Ni almohadillas termicas ni pasta termica en las memorias de la GPU 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@woohoomax9335]

hello whear did you geted graphick card ?

[@cla.pmusic]

qual a GPU ? Nvidia GTX 670M ????

[@cmpieters]

did you manage to get the drivers for your new 3 GB video graphic card ?

[@techitout4710]

macOS has them built in

[@cla.pmusic]

@@techitout4710 qual a GPU ?

[@LucasJogador]

Where did you buy?

[@_jurist]

Sweet what is the before and after benchmark scores?

[@jackargie1092]

Just look up a 770m benchmarks and pair it with the same cpu as this

[@domenicming9551]

Have you done heavy gaming with this? does the heat sink not butn up what ever its touching on the card?

[@ussf-unitedstatesspaceforc7541]

its a 2011 imac why the fuck would you do heavy gaming on it

[@august4rth]

@@ussf-unitedstatesspaceforc7541 because upgrading it easily shits on those rainbow boxes geeks like to build.

[@ussf-unitedstatesspaceforc7541]

@@august4rth yeah but any compatible hardware is trash compared to modern shit

[@august4rth]

@@ussf-unitedstatesspaceforc7541 2K & 4K 60fps does not take beefy hardware lol the Xbox One X can do that

[@oscarcamargop]

Di u modify the BIOS?

[@iSonikYT]

So this works on the 21,5 aswell? Macrumors forum has the 765 listed as not working with the 21,5"

[@DukesDZN]

you have to look at the tdp, over the 770m, they aways got a lot of power consumption wich for the 21,5 itsnt good, 770m and 765m works ''fine'' on it, you have to limit the clock and memory clock on windows, or you will have few kernel panics wich is = few 0.01s lags.

[@AldiPennyLidl1887]

@@DukesDZN Will those clock limits also work under macos?

[@DukesDZN]

@@AldiPennyLidl1887 on mac os you cant choose that, only with bootcamp windows

[@AldiPennyLidl1887]

@@DukesDZN so I run into tdp problems under mac os in any case?

[@DukesDZN]

@@AldiPennyLidl1887 depends of the application, most times no, but i know people with 765m on 21'5 imac 2011 running only on mac os without problems

[@Z-e-e-s-h-a-n]

Hey could you make a video on installing windows 10 on this particular iMac?

[@antedmusic]

Just use BOOTCAMP, install Windows 7 normally, then use Windows update to install all updates avaiable, then go to microsoft website, download windows 10 update tool and install, it will works fine!

[@UserIsntHere67]

@@antedmusic seriously? I’m on high Sierra I want to be able to boot from Windows 10 aswell but not too sure how

[@jessragan6714]

This is a big nope for me. Swapping the hard drive for an SSD and upgrading the OS to Ventura is about as adventurous as I plan to get. It's a shame this system doesn't have any USB 3.0 ports, because data transfers are painfully slow without it. I don't suppose there's a solution for that, is there?

[@reallauradee]

What if your original GPU dies which it will eventually? And would Ventura be the the best choice for the newest version for this 2011 iMac, and not Sonoma?

[@jessragan6714]

@@reallauradee I don't use my iMac often enough for that to be an issue. Although I should power it up just to see if it still works; it's been a while since I messed with it.

[@cmpieters]

is the screen sharper and brighter again ?

[@techitout4710]

It’s not much different but it has caused some power consumption issues

[@tristanshoaf4929]

What is the difference? im thinking about upgrading if its worth thanks

[@johnbeezley4647]

see my comment and you have all the extra info you need to go into this upgrade path.

[@gondar36]

Poder actualizar hasta Macos Monterrey 12.4, siempre que modifique la bios de la GPU y haga la instalacion de OCLP. Se recomienda actualizar la tarjeta wifi-Bluetooth por una 4.0

[@maurodiogo4156]

Can please, some one, tell me what graphic cards are compatible with the 21.5 mid 2011?

[@VictorMartinez-kq4pd]

I think you have to look for MXM A cards. Cause the 27" uses the MXM B and they are bigger.

[@VlauableFather]

Will a 780 work?

[@DukesDZN]

into a imac 21,5 definilt no, the power consunp. of the 780 is too high, a 770m or 765m it cant hold but at 80% use.

[@VictorMartinez-kq4pd]

Hey does anyone knows if this upgrade is compatible with OS updates (Mojave or Catalina)????

[@techitout4710]

Should be.

[@alejandroluispaolucci6134]

DosDude patcher

[@hi2asker]

is this work boot screen ? on this gpu?

[@techitout4710]

Boot screen does not work

[@DukesDZN]

works with the BIOS Patch, wich is easy to make, check Mac Rumours GPU Upgrade forum.

[@mikao.6305]

Hi, can you instal win 8 and update to 10 after the gpu replacement? Or are other drivers required after the gpu swap.

[@techitout4710]

You can install windows 10 if you take out the hard drive/SSD, install using another computer, then putting it back in the Mac, or you can just install windows 10 on external drive. You just can’t use boot camp

[@mikao.6305]

Tech It Out thanks for your help

[@DukesDZN]

Hi, you can install windows 10 directly, but Sound will not work (i use a bluetooth JBL Go1 to fix it) or you can modify your imac bios to sound works in UEFI mode wich is on the Mac rumors forum

[@JozefMackovic]

Once you have completely finish screwing your graphics card :D

[@ssplintergirl]

Is this actually worth it? Working on these machines has always been a pain for me.

[@techitout4710]

Yes. I’ve had some other issues with it lately though. I believe you will have less issues with the 765M because it has a lower power consumption rate (65W) instead of 75W on the 770M. I’ve had some issues where it won’t sleep or sometimes it won’t turn on. It’s like it tries to but just can’t. I think it’s because the 770M takes so much more power than the previous AMD 6750 (35W)

[@techitout4710]

But the performance upgrade outweighs the other issues so I say it’s still worth it

[@johnbeezley4647]

@@techitout4710 I've seen some of your other videos and honestly it seems that you should do a bit more research on the forums before you complete your upgrades.

[@zandronovo]

​@@techitout4710 try clicking the Login Window from the user name on the top right window and shut down from there.

[@bijianwu5124]

Can we upgrade CPU and GPU at the same time?

[@techitout4710]

I have a video on GPU but I wouldn’t recommend.. the power supply doesn’t support it well and it won’t sleep and just causes other issues in general

[@bijianwu5124]

@@techitout4710 👌thanks for the tip

[@napsterking]

@@techitout4710 Would removing the SuperDrive free up some wattage for a GPU and CPU upgrade? While simultaneously creating more airflow to cool down the iMac? This is my first Apple PC (Found it in a trash bin, Everything but the HDD was fine). I am asking because I wanted to know how much the SuperDrive uses in watts but couldn't find anything.

[@vkupright]

Hi, will this work on an iMac 21.5 A1418 mid 2017

[@VictorMartinez-kq4pd]

Imposible jaja Since 2012 to now almost all components are solded.Maybe you can do it in other way and with heat... but its VERY difficult

[@jeffersonsanchez5972]

No, the 2011 macs were the last ones that allowed upgrades

[@alejandroluispaolucci6134]

@@jeffersonsanchez5972 yes, then Steve Jobs died...

[@mintyaviation2376]

Will a GTX980M work?

[@BroccoliIsland]

Will this work on the 27”?

[@techitout4710]

No. It’s a different CPU

[@alejandroluispaolucci6134]

YES, see this post. forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/

[@mikao.6305]

One more question. After the GPU upgrade can I still use ⌘-R to restore my Mac or ALT to change starting volume?

[@CB-kt7qd]

No, you will loose the boot screen after upgrade. You need to flash the GPU, you can refer to macrumors for that

[@gondar36]

Si, si hace la modificacion de la bios gpu e instala OCLP. Puede actualizar su imac hasta macos Monterrey 12.4.

[@VlauableFather]

What is the max cpu these can take? I have a late 2011 I want to upgrade. It’s the “education” one with a dual core and no Bluetooth

[@richie674]

It should be a Core i7 2700k 3.5GHz - we have a 2600k 3.4GHz in our 2011 model & it blasts through anything - hope this helps.

[@gondar36]

Intel Xeon 2600 e intel corei7.

[@2Skinny]

What kind of accent do you have?

[@murad-bc6vk]

Lemme ask all of you, why me and all of you are buying Apple's scam products?

[@asleepyfrog6128]

ma mom gave it to me i would like a pc tho

[@murad-bc6vk]

@@asleepyfrog6128 sadly samd

[@murad-bc6vk]

@@asleepyfrog6128 its full of shame and same