Ubuntu 20.04 switch between Intel and Nvidia

czezz · 08-22-2021, 10:46 AM

Ubuntu 20.04
Laptop with Intel and Nvidia VGA.

Question:
Is there a way to switch between Nvidia and Intel VGA without installing proprietary Nvidia drivers and going to "nvidia-settings"?
As it is described here: https://www.linuxbabe.com/desktop-li...cs-card-ubuntu
Preferably CLI tool.

For the moment my workaround/solution (but this is switch one way

) is:

Code:

sudo apt purge nvidia*

In 2021 there must be more civilized way to do that?

Brains · 08-22-2021, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czezz

In 2021 there must be more civilized way to do that?

For some folks, the civilized way is full on command line and homemade scripts instead of software that does all that and more.
For others, the civilized way is point & click, (just install the software)

Since you have Nvidia Optimus, it's probably best to let Nvidia toggle the devices. Without Nvidia drivers, no switching on the fly.

I have dual graphics Nvidia/Intel, switching between the two is done by pressing a switch while running Windows which requires a reboot. No Nvidia drivers needed, just need to install firmware-linux-nonfree (Debian) for nouveau to do 3D. Some computers require switching graphics devices via Firmware settings.

However, switching on the fly?
It appears you can do that with an Optimus system, since both graphics devices are enabled. A system without Optimus typically only has one of the two enabled, as such there's no switching on the fly.

czezz · 08-23-2021, 03:53 AM

These are VGAs in my PC.

Code:

$ lspci | grep -E "VGA|3D"
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 09)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GF116M [GeForce GT 555M/635M] (rev a1)

1. How can I find out which one is in use?
2. How can I switch from one to another one?

mrmazda · 08-24-2021, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czezz

1. How can I find out which one is in use?

A relatively simple way:

Code:

inxi -G[x,xx,xxx,a]

x,xx,xxx,a are options that increase the amount of resulting graphics information.

A way requiring more technological prowess: examine /var/log/Xorg.0.log, if it exists, or ~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log, if it doesn't. It can probably be found also in some system info app found in Ubuntu's main menu.

czezz · 08-24-2021, 02:19 PM

Thank mrmazda.
This however still does not say which VGA is in use.

Code:

$ inxi -G -xxx
Graphics:  Device-1: Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics vendor: ASUSTeK driver: i915 v: kernel 
           bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:0116 
           Device-2: NVIDIA GF116M [GeForce GT 555M/635M] vendor: ASUSTeK driver: nouveau v: kernel bus ID: 01:00.0 
           chip ID: 10de:1247 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa resolution: 1360x768~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 3000 (SNB GT2) v: 3.3 Mesa 21.0.3 compat-v: 3.0 direct render: Yes

mrmazda · 08-24-2021, 06:40 PM

If what you mean by "VGA" is which output is connected to your display, yes it does. Read the last line to see only Intel. -a gives more detailed info than -xxx.