Linux running on an Nvidia GPU?
Linux running on an Nvidia GPU?
This topic involves some personal history. About a month ago, I chose to explore Linux because I planned to adopt it fully in the future, aiming to avoid Windows 11 entirely. At that time, my main computer ran an Nvidia 3080 graphics card. The first distro I tried was Mint Cinnamon, but I ran into numerous problems despite it functioning well on a laptop with an older i3 CPU. That night I stayed up until 3:30 AM trying to fix Mint before giving up. The following night I tried PopOS, which initially worked better and allowed me to play games, though I later faced issues with drives and other minor glitches. After that, I switched to Kubuntu, but it also didn’t meet expectations. Around this period, I purchased a 6900 XT from Micro Center and encountered setup difficulties, especially with graphics configuration files. Eventually, I learned more about Linux and returned to PopOS using the 20.04 LTS version. The experience improved significantly, and I installed KDE Plasma for a smoother interface. Over time, I faced random issues like Yuzu emulator malfunctions, space errors, and problems with Steam and additional drives. Eventually, I resumed using Windows briefly before fully committing to Linux. Recently, I switched back to PopOS with 21.10, which has worked perfectly for me. I now have all necessary tools functioning without major interruptions.
I’m curious about how Linux performs with Nvidia hardware. It seems to work smoothly on my current system using AMD, unlike my previous experience with Windows 11 and the 3080 GPU. I wonder if choosing a newer version like 21.10 instead of 20.04 would have helped, but I want the latest updates now.
Another question: do Arch-based distros handle Nvidia cards better? I recall seeing Manjaro in Linux’s series, which worked well despite issues during installation. If I wanted a more stable experience with Nvidia, should I consider Arch-based options like Fedora instead?
I've run Ubuntu 20.04-21.10 on a Quadro Kx200 for years without problems on my test setup. Uncertain if GeForce cards affect this.
I never considered checking for another option because I believed the Nvidia driver wasn’t open source, so I relied on the version available for download directly from them.
Running Mint on a RTX 3080 now. Previously it worked on a RTX 2080 Super. I’ve been using Linux for a long time only with nVidia graphics cards. The first step is to download and install the nVidia driver. You can also set up the driver directly through Mint’s manager for smoother performance. If Secure Boot is enabled, make sure you’re in compatibility mode before installing the right driver. Keep in mind that Mint won’t boot properly on your 3080 until you complete these steps.
I mainly use gaming and everyday tasks on my PC. When installing Linux on a Nvidia machine, I’ll look into it. On another note, watching Fedora videos made me think about switching someday because it looks strong. For now, I won’t be changing to Arch-based distros anytime soon—they’re still reliable for me. I’ve never tried Arch-based systems; Debian ones have always worked well, especially those based on Ubuntu.
I'm also an Arch user, and I personally don't support those Arch-based distros. Arch now offers an installer that's not overly complicated (it uses the CLI but is still quite straightforward). Unless you're using Linux just for fun, learning, or simply because you prefer, I usually advise against it—stick with what works best for you.
I initially thought Fedora was Arch-based, but checked and found it's actually Linux-focused. I prefer Windows 10 and find Windows 11 less appealing. It became too intrusive with the mandatory Windows 10 rollout, so I’m glad it’s less so with 11. I value privacy and have been cautious about installing software online for years. I used to rely on a local Microsoft account, but now prefer avoiding internet connections during installs to prevent unwanted changes. I haven’t used a Microsoft account in nearly ten years. With 11, they no longer support local accounts, which is a big change for me. I’m considering Linux more seriously now, especially since PopOS works well on my current setup. I plan to stick with PopOS until it’s no longer viable, and if needed, explore other distros in a virtual environment.
Read your solutions in the article here: https://www.wired.com/2012/06/torvalds-nvidia-linux/