I recently switched to Pop!_OS from Windows because I wanted a more user-friendly Linux experience. After installing it, I ran into some issues with my GTX 960 graphics card and the 580 driver. Initially, the resolution was stuck at 1024x768 after installation, and although I could change it, switching to 100Hz refresh rate caused it to revert again. Eventually, I managed to set it to 1080p at 100Hz, but I noticed really low framerates (sub-10 FPS) while trying to run Steam's Big Picture, which isn't normal.
I heard that the 535 driver works best for GTX 960. However, every time I tried to install it through the terminal, it kept installing the 580 one instead. I want to know if I'm using the right drivers or if I'm messing something up. Here are my specs:
- Intel Core i5 3570
- 16 GB DDR3 1600 RAM
- Asus GTX 960
- Pop!_OS on a dedicated SSD
3 Answers
Your GTX 960 can definitely have issues with the 580 driver since it's mainly for newer series cards. You should aim for the 535 driver instead. Just check the installation instructions specifically for Pop!_OS, as it can be a bit tricky. The Arch wiki is a good resource for what version to use, but you'll need to follow steps suited for your system since Pop!_OS is a bit different from Arch.
It sounds like you're dealing with a classic driver compatibility issue! You could also try manually downloading the 535 driver from Nvidia's website and installing it that way; sometimes that can bypass issues you face with the default package manager.
I appreciate the suggestion! I’ll look into the manual installation as a last resort if the package manager keeps defaulting to the 580 driver.
Make sure you definitely have the proprietary driver installed. You can check which one you're using by running `nvidia-smi` in the terminal. If you're seeing the 580 listed there, you might want to purge it and reinstall properly the 535 version.
Exactly! And just to confirm, secure boot should be disabled which you've mentioned. That sometimes blocks proper driver installation on Linux.
That's correct! Also, if you're still having trouble, you might want to completely remove the 580 driver first before trying to install 535 again. Make sure you're searching for the proper proprietary driver, as the open-source version might not be compatible with your card.