2011 iMac Video Issues

[I3eXa]

Ok so I have a mid 2011 iMac that is wanting to make me throw it out the window!
Currently I have an extra monitor hooked up but this issues happens without it hooked up as well yet sometimes will occur on both screens or just the main iMac screen sometimes. I have upgraded the OS, ran all updates, and reset SMC and PRAM as well with no fixing this issue.

Every so often I will get flashing pixels on the screen. Different colors, sometimes they just stick on and sometimes they flash.
Most of the time when this happens I can just right click and 'change desktop background' and change pictures and then the flashing pixels disappear.

I assume it's an issue with the video card (AMD Radeon HD 6970 1GB) but before I try and find another/newer video card that will work with this machine I'm curious if anyone else has ran into this issue before. I have a video of the issue as well and can upload it later if it helps.

 

[bizzle]

Video card is shot.

 

[tubeexperience]

iMac (27-inch): AMD Radeon 6970M Video Card Replacement Program
Apple has determined that some AMD Radeon HD 6970M video cards used in 27-inch iMac computers with 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors may fail, causing the computer’s display to appear distorted, white or blue with vertical lines, or to turn black. iMac computers with affected video cards were sold between May 2011 and October 2012.


If your iMac has an AMD Radeon HD 6970M video card and is exhibiting any of the issues described above, choose one of the following options to arrange to have your iMac evaluated:

• Apple Retail Store: Set up a Genius Bar appointment.
• Apple Authorized Service Provider: Find one here.
• Apple Technical Support: Contact us for local service options.

Before you go in for service, please back up your data. Learn more about backup options.

If the iMac (27-inch) meets these requirements, Apple will replace the video card free of charge for four years after the first retail sale of the computer.

Learn more
If you believe you have paid for a repair or replacement due to this issue, contact Apple regarding a refund.

This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of the iMac.

Apple will continue to evaluate service data and will provide further updates to this program as needed.

Last Modified: Apr 29, 2016

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203787