I've recently started using Linux and noticed that my Nvidia GPU doesn't seem to play well with Ubuntu. I've heard that Pop!_OS has some great features, but I'm not a fan of the COSMIC desktop environment. I'm looking for ways to get better Nvidia support on Ubuntu or to find a good Desktop Environment on Pop!_OS that isn't COSMIC. Any advice would be appreciated!
5 Answers
You could check out the migration page in the Linux4Noobs wiki for some tips on changing environments. Just be sure to avoid third-party repos and verify your ISOs to keep things secure!
Without specific details about your Ubuntu setup, there’s a chance you could fix some issues by switching the kernel stack. Just make sure you choose the right one for your hardware – older cards like yours might benefit more from the older GA stack.
If you want an alternative to Ubuntu, try PikaOS or CachyOS; they both seem to have good Nvidia support. They’re Debian based, so they should feel somewhat familiar if you’re used to Ubuntu.
First, what's your GPU model? Are you using the open source or proprietary drivers? Those details can help narrow down the issues you're facing. If you're running an Nvidia 1660 Ti with proprietary drivers, check if 'nvidia-smi' can show the driver version and if there are any issues with secure boot.
Check to see if updating the drivers helps. Sometimes it's just a compatibility issue with the current version you're using.
You can definitely switch to a different desktop environment on Ubuntu! It’s super easy to install something like XFCE or KDE if you prefer those over COSMIC.
I have the same GPU and ran into lag spikes too. You might want to either disable secure boot or sign your Nvidia driver if it can't connect.