Mid 2011 27inch IMac graphics card issue.

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Level 1

4 points

Mid 2011 27inch IMac graphics card issue.

I have started to have an issue with my iMac where the screen either flashes and freezes, goes white or splits into different sections if that makes any sense. Its a 27inch Mid 2011 iMac with 3.4 i7 processor, 1tb hard drive, 16gb ram and 2gb graphics card running High Sierra.

This machine has been rock solid since the day, I bought it, even though it has the serial number of the iMacs that were affected with graphics card issues. I am loathed to get rid of it as before this issue it ran perfect and still looks brand new; but I don’t want to spend silly money trying to repair it, if it’s not going to be worth it, or I don’t actually fix it.

I have tried an external monitor and that had the same problem. I fix pcs, so am fairly confident about looking inside or replacing the graphics card (assuming I can get one).

The issue with an external monitor tells me it’s not the lcd itself, but could it be anything else? I have tried to run the diagnostics test, but it always freezes and never completes, even when left for hours.

Ironically, although it’s not relevant, it’s hard to believe that the day this issue began, I had just taken stock of a brand new 2019 iMac. All these years trouble free and my old one goes the day I turn on my new one 🙄

Any help would be much appreciated.

Posted on Aug 16, 2019 2:35 AM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,136 points

Aug 22, 2019 8:35 AM in response to RichardR_72

Because so many of those 2GB cards failed, finding one that works on the used/pulled market is very difficult. There is additional demand beyond repair of 2011 models; people wanting to upgrade 2010 model are bidding on them too.

I've seen the 2GB models offered for over US$500. Even the lesser 1GB card can be $200-300. Maybe the 1GB card could be used to keep the old veteran working at least in some form of "limp-home" model, but it's still a lot of money.

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Answer 2

Rudegar

Level 10

181,506 points

Aug 16, 2019 4:48 AM in response to RichardR_72

maybe it fought on as long as it could be now are moving on

https://9to5mac.com/2013/08/16/apple-opens-graphics-card-replacement-program-for-some-mid-2011-imacs/

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Answer 3

RichardR_72 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 16, 2019 5:27 AM in response to Rudegar

Well it certainly put up a brave fight. Best money, I ever spent. It’s just a shame as finally being able to get a new one, meant that I could pass it on to my son. Prices for used cards seem steep, which I guess is understandable with it being nearly 9 years old. Don’t want to buy one though, if it might be something else, however unlikely.

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Answer 4

RichardR_72 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 22, 2019 7:32 AM in response to RichardR_72

Well just to update anyone in a similar position, I decided to take out the graphics card and heated it up with hot air gun. This did the trick and the screen came back on. I have retrieved all the data off it, but how long it will last is anybody guess. My experience of these things is that it could be from a day to a year after which I will scrap it.

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Answer 5

Rudegar

Level 10

181,506 points

Aug 22, 2019 7:39 AM in response to RichardR_72

had the same thing with a hp laptop with nvidia gpu which overheated and started by making the wifi chip be absent and then the gpu, it could be brought back by letting it overheat wrapped in towls, for a period before it started again, and one day it was not enough, had a friend put the pcb it in a re-flow pcb oven but much of the plastic stuff got burned so it was the end.

heard the red ring of death for xbox360 was the same issue and temp cure.

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Answer 6

RichardR_72 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 22, 2019 8:45 AM in response to RichardR_72

I noticed the same over here - £200 and with no guarantees in some cases. Makes me wonder how many of them have maybe been given the heat treatment. It’s a shame as the iMac was still more powerful than a lot computers that see on a daily basis. As I said it doesn’t owe me any money, but I would have liked to have passed it on to my son.

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Mid 2011 27inch IMac graphics card issue.

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