Fix Your Stuff Community Store

iMac Intel 27" EMC 2309 (Late 2009, Core 2 Duo 3.06 or 3.33 GHz) ID iMac10,1, EMC 2374 (Late 2009, Core i5 2.66 GHz or Core i7 2.8 GHz) ID iMac11,1

467 Questions View all

Options

Can I change the GPU from 4850 to 6970m?

Hi guys!

I received an iMac 27" Late 2009, but it has some problems. The biggest one is that the GPU card is dead and I have to change it, of course. So, the real problem is that this iMac has an ATI Radeon HD 4850m, which is not produced anymore and it's very difficult to find. Now, I live in Italy and I found some 4850m but they're in the USA and shipments are very expensive for me. I read somewhere on the Web that I can replace the 4850 with a compatible one, for example with the 6970m (I'm not sure of this information, let me know if you tried!). But I found a 6970m on eBay (from UK) which was in an Alienware m17x (link: http://www.ebay.it/itm/Alienware-m17x-R2... ). The question is: can I use it with my iMac? It totally looks-alike the 4850m (I mean, the connectors) but I'm not sure that it's compatible with the iMac.

Thank you for the help!

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
1 Comment

Hi, same issue here, weird graphics artifacts over the cursor (straight lines then sys freeze) isnt it possible to switch to NVIDA?

Thanx, Deatroy

by

Add a comment

2 Answers

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

Sadly, you can't use this GPU. You are limited to the ones that Apple used and have the required firmware.

The two GPU cards this system came with are:

  • ATI Radeon HD 4670 256 GB - 661-5314
  • ATI Radeon HD 4850 512 GB - 661-5315

You might be able to fit a newer iMac systems GPU card in yours but you may have to swap out the heat sink unit.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 3
Add a comment

Options

About 70% of the time (I've done about a dozen) a reflow of the GPU with a hot air workstation gun does the trick.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 2

1 Comment:

Well, I know but... I've done a very big mistake. I put the GPU in the oven and... And now it's dead. Yes, I know that it's stupid, but I followed a guide on Internet. A bad guide...

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Gianluca Iuliano will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 1

Past 30 Days: 1

All Time: 415