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NVIDIA Optimus
This page describes how to identify, configure and troubleshoot NVIDIA Optimus enabled systems for Debian. NVIDIA Optimus is a technology that enables dynamic, switchable graphics between the central processing unit's (CPU) embedded graphics capability and the discrete graphics processing unit (GPU) card. Due to the nature of this technology, various software components must be aware of, and configured for, the proper output of the display based on the user's desired configuration.
The instructions on this page apply to Debian Wheezy and newer.
* NVIDIA Optimus - http://www.nvidia.com/object/optimus_technology.html
Installation of Proprietary Graphics Driver Required
The instructions on this page assume that your system has already had the NVIDIA proprietary graphics drivers installed using the instructions, here: ?Driver Installation.
Contents
Identification
The quickest method to determine if your device uses an Optimus card is to search against the documented list on NVIDIA's website. Obtain the NVIDIA GPU identifier of your card with:
$ lspci | grep 3D
Compare the identifier (i.e. GeForce 7XXM, 8XXM, 9XXM) with the list, here: http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/optimus/supported-gpus
Also note the PCI identifier of the card, which is the 5-digit ID at the beginning of the previous command's output, XX:XX.X.
Configuration
Configuration of an NVIDIA Optimus enabled system can be somewhat complex, depending upon the desired end state. This section mentions and details a few of the more common configuration scenarios and how to adjust your Debian installation, accordingly.
Switchable Graphics Disabled (Manual Card Selection)
Hardware/BIOS Switch
Rather than enabling the power saving features of dynamic, "switchable" graphics, one can simply configure the system to output to the local display using only a single graphics provider.
The simplest method of setting the graphics provider, if your hardware supports it, is to manually select the embedded CPU or NVIDIA GPU as the display provider in the system's BIOS. Of course, this is vendor specific and you must consult your hardware manufacturer's documentation for further detail.
Soft Switch With xrandr and Display Manager Scripts
If your system does not support or provide a BIOS switch, an alternative is to configure X to output through the desired provider to the system's attached screen. While this configuration does not take advantage of Optimus' power saving features, it can ensure a consistent desktop graphics experience for 3D applications.
1. Ensure xrandr is installed and available
# apt-get install x11-xserver-utils
2. Modify or create (if one doesn't exist) an xorg.conf under /etc/X11/xorg.conf; add the following:
Section "Module"
Load "modesetting"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "nvidia"
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "PCI:X:Y:Z"
Option "AllowEmptyInitialConfiguration"
EndSectionWhere "BusID" X:Y:Z are the shortened/truncated numbers from the ID gathered above. For example, if the output of lspci displayed a PCI ID of 09:00.0, the BusID entry would read: BusID "9:0:0"
Dynamic Graphics with Bumblebee
The proprietary NVIDIA graphics driver can also be used to enable dynamic graphics switching through the use of Bumblebee.
Troubleshooting
See also