prime-switcher

Tool (GUI + CLI) to select used GPU for Optimus Laptop on GNU/Linux.

Supported Configurations

Integrated GPU brand	Discrete GPU brand	Driver for discrete GPU	Supported
Intel	NVIDIA	nvidia (Proprietary)	Yes
Intel	NVIDIA	nouveau	Yes
Intel or AMD	AMD	amdgpu-pro (Proprietary)	No
Intel or AMD	AMD	amdgpu, radeon	Yes

Display Managers Support

Display Manager	Supported
GDM	Yes
LightDM	Yes
SDDM	Yes
LXDM	No
XDM	No

Dependencies

• Python 3.7
• python-gobject
• gtk3
• libappindicator-gtk3
• libnotify
• mesa-utils (glxinfo)
• bbswitch (Optional but recommended for power-saving with NVIDIA discrete GPU)

How to install

Warning : You must install drivers for discrete GPU before installing the switcher

Arch Linux/Manjaro

AUR Package : https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/prime-switcher/

Other Distribution

# ./install.sh

How to use

Select GPU to use

# prime-switcher -s {mode}

Modes :

• performance : Use the discrete GPU as primary GPU.
• power-saving : Disable the discrete GPU if possible.

Select target driver

Automatic detection

# prime-switcher -D -s {mode}

Manual selection

# prime-switcher -d {driver} -s {mode}

Drivers :

• free : Free drivers (amdgpu, radeon, nouveau without bbswitch)
• nvidia : NVIDIA proprietary driver
• nouveau : nouveau driver
• nvidia-reverse-prime : NVIDIA proprietary driver with Reverse Prime (Discrete GPU managing some output ports)
• nouveau-reverse-prime : nouveau driver with Reverse Prime

Get current used GPU

prime-switcher -q

Open GUI

prime-switcher --gui

Remove patches applied by the switcher

# prime-switcher --uninstall