mbp late 2011 static on screen

anyone knows whats causing that on the photo? it just randomly happens, sometimes just a blank screen. when it occurs and i reboot, it happens again after a few minutes or seconds, until i just shut it down and leave it alone for a longer time.
the static is actually moving, like the static on old tv's. i know people will say its my graphics chip or logic board and if its true im screwed because im out of apple care and i hate to spend a load on this. just hoping theres some other thing i dont know.
ive already rebooted, reset scm and nvram, and aht doesnt report a thing.
opinions are welcome, thanks

 

very classy, apple. these kinds of **** ups shouldnt have expirations. my older 2008 mbp also died from a graphics chip failure and now this? im getting the ugly end of the deal here.

--- Post Merged, Mar 10, 2017 ---

i do have that utility running and it had occurred to me to keep it on the intel chip... but sometimes there are applications that still force the discreet card to engage (like firefox, on some occasions) and i dont notice. maybe thats when the failure tends to happen? ill observe it.