Using the discrete GPU on Ubuntu

The following might be interesting for you if you match the following:

• You have a CPU with integrated graphics
• You have a discrete GPU that your Ubuntu (or Ubuntu-based distro) does not use
• You need those goddamn extra FPS now!

Open a console, secure the perimeter of your modem/router whatever, and enter the following commands.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bumblebee/stable sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install linux-source linux-headers-generic sudo apt-get install bumblebee bumblebee-nvidia

Restart

optirun firefox

With that, Firefox will use your discrete GPU instead of your integrated graphics. The WebGL Aquarium benchmark should run like 10 times faster.

You should also be able to run other programs besides Firefox using this "optirun" command, of course. For example Kerbal Space Program, with something like the following.

LC_ALL=C optirun "/opt/software/SteamLibrary/SteamApps/common/Kerbal Space Program/KSP.x86"

Note that that "LC_ALL=C" is some kind of magic fix for multiple issues for Kerbal on Linux; I'm not explaining what it does here (neither I know, if you ask).

Source: A Noob’s Guide to Installing NVIDIA Optimus Driver in Ubuntu