A small desktop app for Ubuntu that switches a laptop's NVIDIA GPU on or off. Turning the GPU off saves battery when you don't need it. The app uses envycontrol behind the scenes, so you don't need to type terminal commands.
It works when:
- The computer has two GPUs: a built-in Intel or AMD GPU plus an NVIDIA GPU. NVIDIA calls this setup "Optimus", and most laptops with NVIDIA graphics have it. Turning the NVIDIA GPU off is safe because the built-in GPU keeps the screen running.
- The proprietary NVIDIA driver is installed. It doesn't work with the open-source
nouveaudriver. - envycontrol is installed. It isn't part of Ubuntu by default.
To check your computer, run:
lspci | grep -iE 'vga|3d'
If it lists both an Intel or AMD GPU and an NVIDIA GPU, the app should work.
Don't use it on a desktop PC where the NVIDIA card is the only GPU, or where your monitor is plugged into the NVIDIA card. Turning the GPU off would leave you with a black screen.
On some laptops the HDMI or USB-C video port is wired to the NVIDIA GPU. An external monitor on that port won't work while the GPU is off.
-
Install envycontrol (see its GitHub page) and the NVIDIA driver if you don't have them.
-
Download or clone this folder, open a terminal in it, and run:
./install.sh -
Press the Super (Windows) key, type gpu, and open NVIDIA GPU Toggle.
The installer adds the app to your app menu for your own user. It works with or without sudo.
You can also run the app directly with ./gpu_toggle.py.
- Switch off: sets envycontrol to
integrated. Only the built-in GPU is used, and the NVIDIA GPU is powered down. - Switch on: sets envycontrol to
hybrid. The built-in GPU runs the desktop, and the NVIDIA GPU is available for games and other demanding apps.
You'll be asked for your password, then offered a reboot. The change only takes effect after rebooting. The window shows both the mode that's set and whether the GPU is actually on right now.
To use full nvidia mode instead of hybrid when the switch is on, change ON_MODE at the top of
gpu_toggle.py.
Run these in a terminal (after rebooting):
| Command | GPU off | GPU on |
|---|---|---|
lspci | grep -i nvidia |
prints nothing | shows your NVIDIA GPU |
lsmod | grep nvidia |
prints nothing | lists nvidia driver modules |
nvidia-smi |
error: couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver | table showing the GPU |
glxinfo -B | grep renderer |
Intel or AMD | Intel or AMD in hybrid mode, NVIDIA in nvidia mode |
envycontrol --query |
integrated |
hybrid or nvidia |
glxinfo comes from sudo apt install mesa-utils. envycontrol --query shows the mode that's set,
which only takes effect after a reboot. The other commands show what is actually running right now.
When copying commands from the raw file, replace \| with |.
Running ./gpu_toggle.py from VS Code's built-in terminal can crash with a libpthread error when
VS Code is installed as a snap. Start the app from the app menu or a normal terminal instead.