2

thanks for viewing.

I am dual-booting Ubuntu 14.04 LTS_x64 along Winodws 8.1_x64 with:

Processor: Intel Core i7-3635QM and Intel HD4000 integrated chip

AMD Radeon HD 8770M

In windows, the AMD switchable graphics program lets me choose which programs use which video card, but in Ubuntu it seems I can only download the catalyst control center which lets me choose which graphics card to use all the time unless I go and change it. I installed the fglrx package and then the fglrx-update, that didn't work so I had to install the lastest drivers for the AMD card straight from AMD's website. That lets me open the control center, is this the only thing I can get for Ubuntu? Is there any way that I can choose which programs use which card?

1
  • Based on my own tests, it does not appear that this function exists in the Linux drivers...
    – Thomas Ward
    Oct 29, 2015 at 12:27

2 Answers 2

0

It should be possible with Catalyst Control Center:

enter image description here

To install open your Terminal and execute:

sudo apt-get install fglrx

Then give a restart.

If you have trouble setting up visit Ubuntu/AMD Binary Driver Guide

1
  • This doesn't fully answer the question asked by the asker. The asker asks, specifically, to be able to control which GPU is used by individual programs. Under Windows, you can specifically define whether the high-performance GPU is in use or if the power-saving GPU is in use for individual programs (such as one setting for Chrome and Flash player, with another setting for Firefox, another setting for Counter-Strike: Source, etc.). I don't believe this function that the OP is seeking actually exists in the Linux version of the drivers.
    – Thomas Ward
    Oct 29, 2015 at 12:26
0

In a modern system (see here for more details), at least when using the open source radeon drivers, you should be able to use the environment variable DRI_PRIME. Check if it works by monitoring the difference between

DRI_PRIME=1 glxgears -info 

and

glxgears -info

I do not know if this thing is supposed to work with fglrx proprietary drivers.

If it works, you can add it to the .desktop file of the application you want to use the discrete GPU: Set variable in .desktop file

More info can be also found in Hybrid graphic card drivers (AMD® Radeon HD 8570 + Intel HD Graphics 4000), and, as ever, in the Arch Linux documentation pages.

2
  • I don't believe this answers the OP's question fully, especially since they are probably working with GUI programs, not CLI as theri launchpoint
    – Thomas Ward
    Oct 29, 2015 at 12:48
  • @ThomasW. --- if the DRI_PRIME works with proprietary drivers, it's just a matter of modifying the .desktop file to add the environment variable setting. askubuntu.com/questions/144968/set-variable-in-desktop-file
    – Rmano
    Oct 29, 2015 at 12:50

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .