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Information for *ubuntu 16.04 and later

It is my understanding that one should run sudo apt-get install nvidia-XXX-updates nvidia-prime and then select desired graphics card from the Nvidia-X Settings GUI. I have not yet tested this solution, but I am able to select the Nvidia GPU on my system running Kubuntu 16.04.

Original Information

Just (re)installed Kubuntu 13.04. I broke my last installation after trying to install Nvidia's graphics driver.

I would like to know whether I should install the Nvidia driver, the bumblebee thing or something else entirely...? I am not a totally new to linux, but I'm no expert on what I should be doing here.

Could someone please explain to me what software/drivers I should install for my graphics card, and how to go about installing such things. Obviously this is a very specific question, so it might be difficult to answer.

I'm pretty certain this is an optimus enabled card, and I know there has been a lot of difficulty with drivers for them...

NOTE: Question is not an exact duplicate because this is specific to hardware involved. Also question should be left unclosed due to quality of answer given, which may help others.

user3728501
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1 Answers1

3

  1. You need to install an Nvidia driver first, let's say the nvidia-313-updates, that one works well for me.

    sudo apt-get install nvidia-313-updates

  2. Add the Bumblebee repository to your system and install Bumblebee:

    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bumblebee/stable

    sudo apt-get update

    sudo apt-get install virtualgl bumblebee-nvidia

  3. Reboot your system

  4. Check whether it's working

    Run glxspheres and optirun glxspheres and compare the FPS values (Intel and Nvidia GPU respectively). Bumblebee also has a power management function, it switches the discrete Nvidia card off when it's not in use (you don't run any application on it). This power state can be seen by running: cat /proc/acpi/bbswitch.

  5. If it's all up and running, you can try the alternative primus bridge for Bumblebee (the default is virtualgl). It performs better on some GPUs. Install it by:

    sudo apt-get install primus

    Execute primusrun glxspheres to see it's performance.

    Run any application on the Nvidia GPU using optirun app_name or primusrun app_name.

grimpitch
  • 809