Ubuntu – How to use only the Nvidia GPU

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

You can check in System Settings -> Details which graphic card you are using.

And to switch between graphics use:

sudo prime-select intel

and for nvidia use

sudo prime-select nvidia