I'm currently a physics grad student transitioning from Windows, and I need some advice on choosing a suitable Linux distro. My work involves GPU-based simulations that require CUDA support, and I've heard mixed things about NVIDIA drivers compatibility with different distributions. I also have a laptop with both integrated and discrete GPUs, so I'd like to be able to switch between them, either manually or automatically. Additionally, I need to run some applications that only support Windows natively, like AutoCAD. Any suggestions would be really appreciated! Thanks!
2 Answers
Contrary to what some might say, NVIDIA drivers on Linux actually perform quite well, especially for CUDA. They've really excelled in the GPU compute space over time. If you're worried about driver issues, I’d suggest going with Ubuntu as it tends to be user-friendly and well-supported. Additionally, you can manage GPU switching using commands like prime-run or DRI_PRIME=, which makes the process pretty smooth.
For AutoCAD, you'll likely need to set up a virtual machine since it doesn't have a Linux version. Alternatively, you could consider using software like DraftSight or FreeCAD if you're open to other CAD solutions. As for the distro part, the wiki has a nice overview of different options, so I'd recommend checking that out too!
I appreciate the suggestion! I'll look into those CAD alternatives.
That's good to know! I've seen some forums mention incompatibility, so I'll check out Ubuntu for sure.