Driver issues with graphics software.
Driver issues with graphics software.
Checking your current setup on Ubuntu can be tricky. There’s no built-in method to confirm whether you’re using the Intel Xorg driver or the Intel modesetting driver directly. You mentioned wanting the modesetting one, which is correct for hardware acceleration. Chromium browsers don’t support it by default, so you might need to install it manually through unofficial means. Many users have tried various approaches, but some are outdated. You currently have intel-media-va-driver installed, and there’s also a non-free alternative available. Regarding the VAAPI driver for video codecs, it’s worth trying, though you didn’t notice any improvement after installation—possibly because it wasn’t actively used.
Ubuntu and similar distributions usually don't include the Intel Xorg driver, so you might need to switch to modesetting. You should also opt for non-free options, as this package often contains patented or licensing-sensitive components. Many codecs fall into this group. If your Intel iGPU is Broadwell or newer, consider adding the intel-media-driver too—though not all systems support it and it's still experimental. It appears to function for some users but not others. For browser-based video hardware acceleration on Linux, I suggest using Firefox with Wayland right now.
Check the relevant log file for your logger configuration. Ensure it doesn’t rely on modesetting; refer to man xorg.conf for guidance on creating the correct Xorg config file.
Arch supports modesetting as the default setting. On Debian and similar systems, the old Xorg remains functional. At login, you see choices like "Ubuntu" and "Ubuntu on Xorg," suggesting Ubuntu is set up that way. Is it true Ubuntu runs by default in Wayland? And if yes, why does the driver not affect this?
Unless you choose Ubuntu with Xorg, you're using Wayland. Verify in Settings -> About. Since it isn't your primary graphics driver, it functions as a user-space 2D driver for Xorg. Wayland doesn't support this.
This question touches on different display technologies. Ubuntu typically runs on Wayland by default, while Xorg is still widely used in many setups. The performance differences you mentioned—like memory I/O speeds—can depend on the specific configuration and workload. If animations run smoothly on Xorg, it might be worth exploring that option further.
This setup has been standard for those without a NVIDIA GPU; Wayland is recommended if you can. xorg-server is struggling with limited support, and many distros are considering removing it. The original developers of xorg-server were RedHat, shifting all work to Wayland and placing the server in minimal maintenance until the end of RHEL 9. Despite this transition, some migration challenges remain, and not every application functions well on Wayland. Meanwhile, Wayland adoption is growing, and certain projects are now relying more heavily on it. Keep in mind that applications built for X11 will likely still work under Wayland.