Is it possible to run GPU passes on Linux?
Is it possible to run GPU passes on Linux?
Based on what I've seen, you'll likely be back on Windows soon. If most of your software runs on Windows, you'll keep getting stuck in the virtual machine. Setting it up is a hassle—you'll need more hardware inside the same box, deal with very specific software and settings, and so on. Manjaro Linux is also a pain to use every day. I tried it, and I quickly switched back to Ubuntu derivatives because they're much more user-friendly. If you're not doing this just for the love of Linux (meaning you're setting it up mainly for fun), maybe skip it.
Live boot should work without issues. Check the iommu groups (search online if you need precise commands) to confirm the second GPU is part of a group with nothing else.
I've already reset my hardware multiple times. This time I'm aiming for better understanding.
After watching the introductory tech video, I've been using Ubuntu on another drive occasionally. Unfortunately, my setup caused issues because my CPU/MBOO treated all PCI slots as one IOMMU group; passing it through would bypass them. Still, I can play most of my Steam games without problems and Linux applications generally work well for non-Steam titles. Windows remains my preference since the games are better, and WSL handles most of my Linux requirements smoothly.
Disclaimer: never tried VMs (didn’t find enough reason to start learning them). I’ll note that while it’s technically feasible to separate a GPU from running software (X.org) and move it elsewhere (in this case), it’s not just about the VM setup or letting X.org release the GPU. It seems to be that GPUs also need to start up and run their own microcode. If you don’t shut them down properly (like rebooting), issues could arise. This sounds like a complex task, I think. But if your situation really demands it—like you must use Linux, dual-boot isn’t possible, and native Linux gaming isn’t enough—then it might be worth the effort, though there could be hidden challenges along the way. *I’m curious about how this would work.* A custom Bumblebee might be better than forcing a restart, but it’s similar to a full reboot on a desktop.
X.org lacks the technical ability to swap graphics drivers or GPUs like Windows does. This would need all X clients to stop, and there’s no available fix... I’m not sure about Wayland, but it doesn’t support NVIDIA drivers either. Bumblebee simply runs a different X server on another GPU driver, not switching the actual driver. The system just operates with another server. The best approach would be to create a script that automatically unlinks VFIO drivers and switches to the GPU driver, then restarts X.org again. Edited February 3, 2019 by Guest
Fallout 4 doesn't work with Hitman 2, Witcher 3 isn't stable even on good hardware, League of Legends functions fine, and Battlefield 3 or 4 fails because EA's platform is mainly Windows. Those are the games I play, and none run smoothly on Linux.