Upgrading a Graphics Card for iMac 21.5"

What is year and the specs of your model iMac?

How much RAM do you have installed ?

RAM makes as much difference in performance of a computer.

If you only have the stock RAM that came with that model iMac, you're going to need a lot more RAM.

It's not just the graphics card.

The graphics card you have at that iMac is a pretty good card.

There is only a 1 GB card that is compatible with iMac.

If you iMac is fairly new and under AppleCare, I wouldn't try and replace this card yourself as it will void your AppleCare.

You could find out , at a local Apple store or authorized Apple reseller to see how much it would be to have the olde card replaced and the 1 GB video card installed.

This is not a really DIY project anyway.

Whether you're running OS X or Windows, at least 4 GBs of RAM is necessary just to smoothly run either OS.

During it's operation it may take more RAM as needed by the OS when your running games.

That leaves your iMac with only 4 GBs of RAM for other applications to use.

This is not a lot of RAMmto have in reserve any longer.

The 2010 models had the 1 GB VRAM graphic card option.

So, you can have the card that's in there replaced with that.

There are no larger video cards, presently, used in iMacs.

I would have Apple do the video card switch.

If you've never opened you iMac before, this is not the time try and do a DIY replacement.

Especially, if your iMac is still under AppleCare.

Graphics improvements without sufficient system RAM isn't going to help you if your playing games that are both taxing on the graphics and CPU.

The 8GBs of RAM simply isn't enough!

Your iMac can take an "official" 16 GBs of RAM max. Unofficialy, this iMac can be stuffed with up to 32 GBs of RAM.

If you're trying to do serious gaming on an iMac, you're going to need more than just a graphics upgrade.

More RAM than what you have is going to help your situation.

not sure about the 2010 imac but the tear down of the 2011 imac I have is the gpu not something which can be changed as it's soldered into the pcb

I have no problems playing blood bowl, borderlands, warhammer 40K space marine and batman arkham city with my 2011 imac with 4GB

from win7 ultimate 64bit in bootcamp

I got done reading a post here where someone pointed out that later model iMac models, you are able to pull and replace the graphics card.

It was a pretty lengthy and indepth post and outlined how to do it.

Are earlier iMacs different?

This is one of the most expensive upgrades for macs, it is done by few and it is more likely to be a flop than a success.

Others here suggest that the card is soldered to the board, but it is not, just take a look at the fixit teardown.

1: You will need someone to install it

You can install it yourself if you are confident enough, instructions - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2389+GPU+Card+Replacement/ 6272

2: You will need a compatible graphics card (any card that supports UEFI and is MXM B size)

The best candidate for this upgrade is a card out of a iMac of the same gen (2010-2011), a card such an AMD 5670M, 6750M, 6770M, 6970M are great upgrades and best suited for your iMac, I am pretty sure that the card will need to be an MXM-B size chip to fit properly

The only way to get a card that will be 100% compatible will be if you get it from an existing system.

Also a better card may shorten the life of your iMac as the existing cooling system isn't built for bigger cards.

3: Where to get the card?

Not many places will stock cards of this age or rarity, I suggest start looking at places like eBay, I saw this card - http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-661-5967-Video-Card-AMD-Radeon-HD-6770M-512MB-for-iM ac-27-Mid-2011-A1312-/181146081545

They sell a variety of Graphics Cards, and have pretty good feedback.

Have a shop around and choose carefully.

These are suggestions, I am not held responsible for any damage that you do to your iMac 😉

Hope this helps and Good Luck!

Of course it is, as long as the replacement has the same socket, meets the power requirements of the PSU and the architecture is the same, everything is good to go!

Architecture examples-

2010 iMacs do not support Sandy Bridge CPU's

2011 iMacs do not support Ivy Bridge's

And so on.

The 2009-2011 iMacs were truly the last fully upgradable iMacs ever😟

What is the best Video Upgrade I can do with my 21.5" Mid 2011 without making serious modifications?

For Kicks and because I'm My Crazy. What if If I did Modify, cut some holes for Ports etc. What is the Max I would possibly do before I just......Go to Far...

Funny thing is I font play Games of any Seriousness. eventually Im going to do some Video, and photo editing.

The simple answer is no.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2426048?answerId=11658477022#11658477022

Allan

I found the post!

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3029120?answerId=17039097022#17039097022

Are running games on Windows via Bootcamp?

Simple answer is NO alright.

How about a USB Graphics Card and a secondary monitor?

How-To Upgrade Imac's Graphics Card

That is the best single information ever informed to me that has to do with an IMAC. It looks like I can possibly upgrade to a I7 from my I5 if "MAN" enough to follow through.