Is this a Screen or GPU Problem?

[Mark200789]

I brought my Macbook pro in with a problem and thought I'd ask the Genius about my 2014 iMac 5K while I was there. It has an image retention problem around its screen's edges that is growing worse and deeper into the center of the screen with age. You can see it here:

The genius suggested that it might not be a screen problem but a GPU one. He suggested two tests: first, sleeping the machine and hitting the until screen with a flashlight to see if I can still see the image that was burned in. This resulted in nothing. The other was to plug the iMac into an external screen and see if it ghosts there as well. I haven't tried this one yet as I don't have the cable. I'm thinking of buying and installing a new screen in this guy because it's still working really well otherwise. But could this really be a GPU problem? I really have my doubts about both the suggestion and the method of testing it. What do you think?

 

[jerwin]

I have a 1080p screen (not a very good one, mind you) that I use for more desktop. No burn in. Maybe if it was 4k, and ips, and all that, it might show artifacting, but I think it's just the imac 5k screen.

 

[Fishrrman]

It seems I recall reading that image retention was a problem with iMac displays back around 2013/2014/2015.

At this point, it's out of warranty and AppleCare (if you had it) has run out, too.

I'd say the only options are:
- fix it yourself with a second-hand display
- have it fixed by Apple or 3rd-party provider ($$$$$$$)
or
- keep using it as it is
or
- look for a replacement (2017 or 2019), possibly Apple-refurbished.

I'd pick from the last two, myself.

 

[TwoH]

This "genius" is wrong to assume it is GPU. This is a clear LCD fault.

 

[Mark200789]

Ok. I am preparing to fix it myself. There are a number of screens on eBay to choose from. I'm also sure its the screen, but I wanted to make sure. Does anyone know what to look out for in a replacement screen? I know LGs are the ones that acted up like this on Macbook Pros.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I am preparing to fix it myself. There are a number of screens on eBay to choose from. I'm also sure its the screen, but I wanted to make sure. Does anyone know what to look out for in a replacement screen?"

Well... you better keep in mind that some of those display panels on ebay (if they are second-hand) may have been "pulled" from iMac because THOSE panels were suffering from image-retention.

A brand-new panel... well.. you never know.

IF there are non-LG panels that will fit, that's what I'd look for.

 

[Mark200789]

I’m reading that the burn in problem was pretty consistent until 2017. Do 2017 screens work in 2014 imacs? It could be a dumb question, but the connectors looks the same to me at first glance.