Ubuntu – (How) can I enable automatic switching between Intel and NVIDIA GPU

16.04driversgpuintelnvidia

I'm using a PC with an integrated Intel and a dedicated NVIDIA GPU. Is there a way to switch between the two graphics adapters automatically – depending upon the need at the moment?
Using the NVIDIA settings application forces me to log out and back in to perform the switch.

I found a similar question, but the answers are not sufficient enough. I installed bumblebee, but I don't want to specify the card each time when I run a program. Is there an automatical solution?

Best Answer

Unfortunately as of today automatically switching between the intel and NVIDIA graphics is still not supported on Linux based operating systems. There is some progress to be seen in GNOME 3.22, where it is possible to launch an application with the dedicated graphics adapter, but only when the open source drivers are in use. Maybe this feature will be available for the proprietary drivers in the future. In the meantime, for Ubuntu I recommend to use the default solution nvidia-prime and to remove bumblebee, because this software is not maintained any longer ... the latest version 3.2.1 was released on April, 26th in 2013 -> Bumblebee Version 3.2.1 "Tumbleweed" - Release Notes !

Example of GNOME 3.22 - most probably the version which will ship with Ubuntu GNOME 17.04 :

We will see how this will influence the development of other Ubuntu editions and graphics drivers.

Related Solutions

Ubuntu – How to use NVidia Gpu simultaneously with intel HD

Based on your query in http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2291771 and the answers there, what you are asking for is not possible.

From the forum:

From my understanding of Nvidia Optimus technology I do not think it is possible. The purpose of Optimus is automatic switching between a more powerful GPU for high intensity graphic tasks with likewise high battery drain and a less powerful GPU for low intensity graphic tasks with the benefit of less battery drain.

In Linux we have yet to get an Nvidia driver that will do automatic switching.

I am guessing that the problems you are having with video play back are nothing to do with which GPU is being used but in connection with the CPU being under intensive use and needing to task switch. The Nvidia GPU should handle video playback easily. If it is not then it could be a case of too much going on at the same time.

On the other hand, you can try bumblebee/optirun as described in Correct nvidia+intel graphics setup in 14.04

Then you can start ue4 with optirun prefix, thus using the Nvidia card for it and use Intel for other processes like the browser. Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T and enter:

(optirun <name of the program> &)

The (parenthesis) and & will detach the process from the terminal. This will allow you to work on the terminal after launching the program. There are other ways of completely detaching the program from the terminal.

Also see How does bumblebee optirun actually work?.

I don't have an Nvidia card, so I have not tried it.

Hope this helps

Ubuntu – How to use only the Nvidia GPU

I think it is not Intel adapter crashing, but the problem is with the open source Nvidia driver.

Install the correct driver by

sudo apt-get install nvidia-352

Reboot and switch to Nvidia

sudo prime-select nvidia

Then log off and on.

But I suspect that Intel will work OK too.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Ubuntu – How to use NVidia Gpu simultaneously with intel HD

Ubuntu – How to use only the Nvidia GPU

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