cuda with optimus just to access gpgpu

问题:

I have a Dell XPS L502 with the Nvidia 525M graphics card. I am only interested in using the gpgpu capabilities of the card for now.

I installed Ubuntu 12.04 as a dual boot with the Windows 7 that came with the machine and followed several installation procedures for installing the CUDA driver and developer kit from Nvidia ( many re-installs of Ubuntu ). In all cases the display drops to 640x480 resolution. Best I can determine this has something to do with Optimus technology and Linux. I tried Bumblebee to no avail.

I really don't care about using the NVidia card to drive the display. Is there any way that I can just install the NVidia drivers so that a program can use the CUDA capabilities of the graphics card and I still get the full resolution on the display?

回答1:

I had a similar issue with my Alienware M11xR2, and posted the solution on the NVIDIA Forums. Unfortunately the forums are down at the moment but essentially the process is as follows:

1. Install the Nvidia Drivers, but when prompted to modify your X11 Config, select 'No'. This is because the Nvidia card cannot be used as a display device.
2. Install the CUDA SDK and run one of the samples as root. I found this to be a necessary step. After this you should be able to execute further CUDA programs as a normal user.

Hope that helps.

回答2:

With the new release of CUDA 5 the, comes the installation guide, there you have just one file that installs drivers, toolkit and sdk (even nvidia nsight). And one thing that got my attention is that you also have optimus options in the installation process.

I also have and Alienware M14x, and i understand your problem, but i also wanted the drivers to work for me, so i didn't try too hard on that.

Maybe you could give that a try and comment with the rest of us.

Here you can look for the CUDA 5 release candidate: CUDA 5

and here is the installation guide (maybe give this a read first): CUDA 5 Starting Guide for Linux.