Stuck on Arch GUI installation

salmon3t3 · 2018-09-01 18:49:33

Hi, this is my first time here and contact with Arch Linux. I've followed all the steps succesfully until the one called "Graphical User Interface". I've read it all carefully, but I'm very confused because I don't have clear what steps should I do now and in what order.

In particular, on one side, I want a Window Manager (i3) and not a Desktop Manager. On the other side, I have hybrid graphics technology (Optimus Nvidia, in my case Intel + Nvidia):

The guide states that first I need Xorg. But, in the installation step, what driver/s do I need?
```
lspci
```
command says my Nvdia GPU is using nouveau driver. But, if I want to install Bumblebee (for the hybrid tech) it says that I need the nvidia package (wich I understood is different from nouveau?) But, if
```
lspci
```
command says I'm already using the nouveau driver, why do I need another one? Is all of this neccesary in order to have a Window Manager like i3 working?
Also, what should be the execution order? Do I need Xorg to be installed to run nouveau/nvidia (not sure) drivers correctly? When should I install my chosen window manager (i3)?

I'm very confused. I like the Arch documentation, but in this part I'm really lost as I see a lot of steps but can't see them clear enough.

Hope to find somone that has fight with this before or know how to proceed.

loqs · 2018-09-01 19:01:05

Welcome to the arch linux forums salmon3t3.
If you just want to use the integrated Intel GPU you do not need to use Optimus or Bumblebee unless the display is connected to the Nvidia GPU.
Follow Xorg#Running if you want to use both GPUs in some configuration you will need to follow NVIDIA_Optimus or Bumblebee
Edit:
NVIDIA covers how to identify which nvidia package you will need if you decide your configuration requires the nvidia driver.

Last edited by loqs (2018-09-01 19:03:25)

Trilby · 2018-09-01 19:47:02

salmon3t3 wrote:

Also, what should be the execution order? Do I need Xorg to be installed to run nouveau/nvidia (not sure) drivers correctly? When should I install my chosen window manager (i3)?

The order of installation of these really doesn't matter. As for execution, you will never execute the drivers, nor even Xorg or i3wm directly. So just install what you need and move on to the startx/xinit page.

salmon3t3 · 2018-09-01 22:54:04

loqs wrote:

Edit:
NVIDIA covers how to identify which nvidia package you will need if you decide your configuration requires the nvidia driver.

In my case I should install nvidia driver because I have a card newer than GeForce 600 series. Now, where I doubt is in Bumblebee Arch docs.But in NVIDIA Optimus Arch docs I don't understand that it says:

The proprietary NVIDIA driver does not support dynamic switching like the nouveau driver (meaning it can only use the NVIDIA device).

So, based on my "lspci" command, by default, I'm using noveau driver but, in order to run Bumblebee I need to install (in my case) the nvidia driver. But if I read about Nvidia Optimus docs, I understand that the nvidia driver doesn't support switching cards. Maybe am I missing something?

Koatao · 2018-09-01 23:14:08

Hello,

You are missing the point of Bumblebee, i understand it like this:
You can't fully use Optimus technology with proprietary Nvidia driver.
Bumblbee isnt Optimus. Bumblebee tries to "replicate" Optimus technology.

So follow Bumblebee wiki.

Last edited by Koatao (2018-09-01 23:17:40)

loqs · 2018-09-01 23:16:42

Optimus is using the Nvidia card to render the graphics then copy them to the frame buffer of the Intel GPU which places them on the display.
Bumblebee uses the Nvidia card only for applications started with optirun the rest are rendered on the Intel GPU.
Optimus can only use the Nvidia driver I believe bumblebee can be configured for nvidia or nouveau.
For dynamic switching there is PRIME and prime does work with the Nvidia driver as you noted.

salmon3t3 · 2018-09-02 11:50:42

loqs wrote:

Bumblebee uses the Nvidia card only for applications started with optirun the rest are rendered on the Intel GPU.

Hmm yes, perhaps I'm missunderstanding. Then, could we say that Bumblebee don't do any dynamic (automatic) switching between integrated and dedicated? It is like manual switching? I mean manual because you use optirun if you want to use the dedicated, otherwise like by default, you use the integrated.

And, if finally I decide to use only one card, would it be necessary to install something at all? (Sorry if I'm asking the same again, but all is new to me).

loqs · 2018-09-02 12:01:23

The dynamic switching means mesa is doing the switching start an application with DRI_PRIME=1 mesa uses the Nvidia GPU this requires the nouveau drivers.
No DRI_PRIME=1 the integrated GPU will be used.
Bumblebee is similar you applications started with optirun use the Nvidia GPU while ythe rest use the integrated GPU.
Optimus there is no switching everything if rendered on the Nvidia GPU then copied to integrated GPU's framebuffer for display.
You would not need to install bumblee/Prime/Optimus if you only want to use whatever GPU is connected to the display.

Arch Linux

#1 2018-09-01 18:49:33

Stuck on Arch GUI installation

#2 2018-09-01 19:01:05

Re: Stuck on Arch GUI installation

#3 2018-09-01 19:47:02

Re: Stuck on Arch GUI installation

#4 2018-09-01 22:54:04

Re: Stuck on Arch GUI installation

#5 2018-09-01 23:14:08

Re: Stuck on Arch GUI installation

#6 2018-09-01 23:16:42

Re: Stuck on Arch GUI installation

#7 2018-09-02 11:50:42

Re: Stuck on Arch GUI installation

#8 2018-09-02 12:01:23

Re: Stuck on Arch GUI installation

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