Johnny Matthews | Switch GPU in Pop OS using the terminal

Sometimes, you need a beefy GPU to process all the shaders in Metro 2033. And other times, you just need the integrated CPU graphics to show you a terminal window while you try to rebuild a Lotus binary on the train to Kings Cross without your battery crapping out. This was written on 9th of March 2021.

PopOS has a feature where you can select which GPU you’d like to use: internal or Nvidia. Usually, this setting is set by clicking on the battery icon and choosing with graphics processor you’d like to use. However, if you install another desktop environment, like Regolith, this battery icon is no longer available. Fortunately, you can switch GPU with a couple of terminal commands.

  1. Find out what CPU you’re currently using:

    sudo system76-power graphics

> nvidia

  2. Switch to integrated graphics:

    sudo system76-power graphics integrated

    If this command is successful, it will output nothing.

  3. Reboot your machine:

    reboot

  4. Once your system has finished booting, check that you are now running on integrated graphics:

    sudo system76-power graphics

> integrated

  5. To switch back to dedicated graphics, follow the same steps using nvidia instead of integrated:

    sudo system76-power graphics nvidia
reboot

> ...

sudo system76-power graphics

> nvidia

  6. That should do it.

Troubleshooting

The integrated graphics processor is named something like intel or amd on some systems. If switching to integrated graphics gives an error, the system76-power executable should show which name you likely need to use. On my system, intel isn’t recognized:

sudo system76-power graphics intel 

> error: The subcommand 'intel' wasn't recognized
>         Did you mean 'integrated'?
> 
> If you believe you received this message in error, try re-running with 'system76-power graphics --intel'
>
> USAGE:
>   system76-power graphics [SUBCOMMAND]
>
> For more information try --help