GUIDE How to Flash Custom Firmware on Thunderbolt Card for macOS

[i0ntempest]

What is the flashed firmware version?

I’m on the stock firmware.

 

[EliteMacx86]

I’m on the stock firmware.

Then do you think it is the appropriate section to post? You should post under TB 3 thread. xD

Will check the PR files soon.

 

[goodguy]

My Mainboard (ASUS Proart Creator) does not have a Thunderbolt Header. Does the flashed card need a Thunderbolt Header connection? Or does it just plug into the PCI Slot and connect to Power via the 6PIN Power connetor that one uses also for GPU cards etc.

 

[EliteMacx86]

My Mainboard (ASUS Proart Creator) does not have a Thunderbolt Header. Does the flashed card need a Thunderbolt Header connection? Or does it just plug into the PCI Slot and connect to Power via the 6PIN Power connetor that one uses also for GPU cards etc.

Yes, normally a TB Header is required, but you can utilize the card without a TB Header too by the means of jumpering some PINS. PCIe connectors must be installed for utilizing multiple or heavy TB Devices.

 

[GreyAsteroid]

Shorting Thunderbolt Card Header:

We've found that for the most complete hotplug functionality, shorting the card is usually required. This information especially applies if the user desires the ability for the card to initialize on boot without any Thunderbolt device connected. We dive into Thunderbolt hotplug configuration In Our Guide. Shorting the cable is also neccessary if you have a motherboard which does not support Thunderbolt cards, although you may have more limited functionality as the card may automatically initialize with security type SL1, possibly interfering with the ability to mount devices.

If no hotplug capability is desired, shorting is optional although may produce better results on some motherboards. Attempt to connect via the header, and if your card is not detected by macos consider a short. If you choose not to short the Thunderbolt Header Cable on the card side, you will need to plug your Thunderbolt cable from your card into the supported header on your motherboard.

Howdy, I just picked up a Gigabyte Alpine Ridge rev 2 card and I'm hoping to get a bit of clarification before I start flashing and hacking at wires.

Just to make sure, with the Gigabyte Alpine ridge card and a supported motherboard (Gigabyte Z270-XP-SLI) it's recommended to flash custom firmware for full functionality on macOS?

Also, it's recommended to short the TB card for full functionality despite being on a supported motherboard with a TB header?

 

[EliteMacx86]

Howdy, I just picked up a Gigabyte Alpine Ridge rev 2 card and I'm hoping to get a bit of clarification before I start flashing and hacking at wires.

Just to make sure, with the Gigabyte Alpine ridge card and a supported motherboard (Gigabyte Z270-XP-SLI) it's recommended to flash custom firmware for full functionality on macOS?

For Alpine Ridge Cards, see the Notes below

GUIDE - How to Enable Thunderbolt 3 Hotplug on macOS

How to Enable Thunderbolt 3 Hotplug on macOS [Clover/OpenCore] An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers the implementation of Thunderbolt™ 3 Hotplug on macOS for single and multiple Thunderbolt 3 Cards. Overview An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - In our previous post, we covered a...

elitemacx86.com

Flashing isn't necessary, as indicated in the guide, even for HotPlug. Flashing is required when you have certain use of the Thunderbolt function or if required by the target Thunderbolt Device.

Also, it's recommended to short the TB card for full functionality despite being on a supported motherboard with a TB header?

Not always.

 

[Cliff8410]

hi guys,

I notice if I disable thunderbolt in bios my machine boots in 9 secs in total. If I have thunderbolt enabled with the custom flashed firmware it takes about 20 secs before I see the onscreen bios splash screen.

If I flash it back to the original firmware will it speed up this process?

Has anyone else had this issue or found a workaround?

Gigabyte z490 Vision D
i9 10850K

 

[EliteMacx86]

hi guys,

I notice if I disable thunderbolt in bios my machine boots in 9 secs in total. If I have thunderbolt enabled with the custom flashed firmware it takes about 20 secs before I see the onscreen bios splash screen.

If I flash it back to the original firmware will it speed up this process?

Has anyone else had this issue or found a workaround?

Gigabyte z490 Vision D
i9 10850K

Which firmware?
What TB Hardware?
During boot, is there any TB Device connected?

 

[Cliff8410]

Which firmware?

Gigabyte-Vision-D-NVM-50-Elias64Fr-CaseySJ.bin

What TB Hardware?

On board TB/USB -C (Onboard Titan ridge)

During boot, is there any TB Device connected?

Yes, I have tried with device both plugged in and out and also with device plugged in and powered on and off - all test's result the same with an 20sec long pause before post.

 

[EliteMacx86]

Which firmware?

Gigabyte-Vision-D-NVM-50-Elias64Fr-CaseySJ.bin

What TB Hardware?

On board TB/USB -C (Onboard Titan ridge)

During boot, is there any TB Device connected?

Yes, I have tried with device both plugged in and out and also with device plugged in and powered on and off - all test's result the same with an 20sec long pause before post.

Provide your BIOS Settings and attach your PR files to check further.