2011 27" iMac Video Card Replacement

Apple has recently announced a video card replacement program for some 'Mid-2011" 27" iMac's.

I believe that there were 3 different stock configurations of the "Mid-2011" 27" iMac. Only the higher end models (3.1ghz i5 quad-core cpu and 3.4ghz i7 quad-core cpu) with the Radeon 6970m video hardware are included in the repair program. The lower-end Mid-2011 27" iMac with the 2.7ghz i5 quad-core cpu and Radeon 6770m graphics is NOT included.

Apple will replace the video card free of charge for four years after the first retail sale of the computer.

Please give this a read for more details:

iMac (27-inch): AMD Radeon 6970M Video Card Replacement Program

I think that this repair program may have been indirectly referred to in some recent threads...but wanted to bring special attention to it in case some Mac-forums members are experiencing the issue.

- Nick

Thanks for the clarification Nick. At first it was thought to refer to all the 2011 27" iMac models.

Additionally (gathered from info on the internet)...the affected computers serial numbers have the last FOUR digits/characters...DHJQ, DHJW, DL8Q, DNGH, DNJ9, DMW8, DPM1, DPM2, DPNV, DNY0, DRVP, DY6F, or F610.

- Nick

In case anyone does some internet searching on this...other Macintosh oriented websites are reporting that Apple will perform the video card replacement for up to THREE years after the first retail sale of the computer. This is INCORRECT!!!

As can be plainly seen in the Apple Support Document...Apple will perform the replacement up to FOUR years after the first retail sale of the computer!

- Nick

p.s. As far as the 3 vs. 4 years. Maybe the other websites are subtracting the automatic 12 months of Applecare included with every new computer. Resulting in 3 years (AFTER the initial 12 months of Applecare has run out).

chscag said:

Thanks for the clarification Nick. At first it was thought to refer to all the 2011 27" iMac models.

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This topic is of particular interest to me...since I own a Mid-2011 27" iMac. Fortunately (or unfortunately)...I own the lower end 2.7ghz model which is not covered. But I guess this can be a "good thing"...if the Radeon 6770m graphics don't have an issue compared to the Radeon 6970m graphics used in the higher end models (covered in the repair program).

- Nick

It looks the higher end Radeon cards were troublesome (overheating) and failing. That might be why Apple switched to using nVidia cards in their 2012 and 2013 models.

I can confirm this. I started a post on this very issue. I just returned from the Genius Bar and they are replacing it for free.

On a side note, do you know if they are going to replace it with the same card or replace it with a nVidia?

dtjo22 said:

On a side note, do you know if they are going to replace it with the same card or replace it with a nVidia?

Click to expand...

You'll have to ask Apple but I would think they'll replace it with the same card.

dtjo22 said:

I can confirm this. I started a post on this very issue. I just returned from the Genius Bar and they are replacing it for free.

Click to expand...

Yes you did.

dtjo22 said:

I am within the 4 year range, but just outside of 3 years as some "announcements" I've read. And if course I am 3 months past the expiration of my apple care that I never used. Isn't that the way it normally goes.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately…you were prematurely pessimistic!!!

In any case…congrats that you are getting things repaired…and repaired for free!

- Nick

Apple have a strict requirement for Apple Authorised Service Providers dealing with the 6970m card issue. To be able to order a replacement FOC the iMac has to fail the MRI video system test diagnostics. I've seen many that have been intermittent and pass the VST repeatedly. Even when the customer has videoed the problem that wasn't accepted as proof the card was failing. I suspect Apple stores have more leeway in ordering replacement cards. This program has been running some time now.