Arch Linux

eeg

Member

From: Ooozetralia

Registered: 2009-03-11

Posts: 25

Switchable graphics on desktops

Hi all,

Just wondering if bumblebee is meant for desktop Arch installs. From what I've read, its mainly based on Nvidia's Optimus tech, which is meant for laptops (though I don't see why it can't be applied to desktops as well).

Switchable graphics on my desktop would be great. I doubt my GTX 460 is needed for compositing and basic productivity use. Turning it off would save me some cash (albeit just a little). I only ever need it when I dual-boot to Windows to play games.

Could anyone chime in with experiences getting bumblebee to work on desktop installs?. Or am I missing the point and it was never meant to work on desktops?

Cheers,
- Mardi

Gusar

Member

Registered: 2009-08-25

Posts: 3,606

Re: Switchable graphics on desktops

First, Optimus is not about switching graphic cards. Second, desktops are a whole different thing from laptops.

That said, what Optimus is to laptops is coming to desktops, it'll be called Synergy there. But trust me, you do *not* want it. Not until Nvidia figures out how to properly support Optimus. Bumblebee is just one big hack, not a proper solution. A simple example, VDPAU is not working with Bumblebee. And there's more

eeg

Member

From: Ooozetralia

Registered: 2009-03-11

Posts: 25

Re: Switchable graphics on desktops

I was under the impression Optimus _was_ about switching usage between the two GPUs. I.e., turn off the high-power dGPU when its not needed, etc...

Oh well. I figured out as much... was hoping there was a way in the kernel/drivers/X to selectively activate the appropriate GPU. Could have saved some watts

Thanks for the reply.

Gusar

Member

Registered: 2009-08-25

Posts: 3,606

Re: Switchable graphics on desktops

I was under the impression Optimus _was_ about switching usage between the two GPUs.

No Optimus is about activating the dedicated GPU only for specific apps. But you never switch to it, as everything but that specific app continues to be handled by the internal GPU. Another distinction is that the dedicated GPU doesn't have any physical outputs, it draws everything into the framebuffer of the internal card (that's the ideal scenario, Bumblebee doesn't work like that). Because of this lack of outputs it is actually impossible to switch to the dedicated card.