MX Linux Forum

Hi guys,

I hope you don't count my question silly.

I have been on MX KDE son my laptop(s) for long time and enjoying it.

As a rule of thumb I always avoided any laptop with NVIDIA for any Linux as it has a "reputation" of being a bit problematic so I always got laptops with intel graphics only.

Now with AI stuff I see it is preferable to have NVIDIA card for AI to work better (or even just work).

As I know about the quality of MX Linux and how user friendly and easy installation it is, so I have a simple question that needs a simple answer.

I am thinking of buying a new laptop with this new Ultra processor. If I got it and install:
- from a snapshot from my current system (not NVIDIA graphics) or
- a fresh install
Would the NVIDIA drivers be automatically installed and it would just work out of the box or there maybe issues. Would it work out of the box in both cases? Would it get updates simply with system update? Would it break for any reason with any update?

I will appreciate feedback from users with NVIDIA as well.
I really appreciate your feedback.

I had a quick search and it appears to be Nvidia claiming that you need an Nvidia gpu for AI to work the best in Windows.
As a side note, it's only the gaming community that prefers Nvidia internal graphics cards. Nobody else much cares.

nvidia drivers are not preinstalled. at least not the proprietary ones. If the graphics card works with the open source nouveau driver then there shouldn't be any problems.

dolphin_oracle wrote: ↑Sun Feb 02, 2025 8:31 am nvidia drivers are not preinstalled. at least not the proprietary ones. If the graphics card works with the open source nouveau driver then there shouldn't be any problems.

Thanks @dolphin_oracle and @j2mcgreg
And this nouveau driver is enough to use all the intended benefits of NVIDIA graphic card for AI? Or it must be the NVIDIA drivers?

I did some searches and found out the drivers can be installed seamless through the system. Did I get it right?

You can use the Nvidia Driver utility in MX Tools to get the proprietary drivers if you wish. Keep in mind that if this new computer is fresh on the market, the required Linux drivers may not exist yet as hardware support in Linux generally lags about six months to a year behind Windows. If you give us the make and model of your intended purchase, we can advise you.

@limotux The short answer about do you need an nvidia GPU to run AI is no. Both AMD and Intel gpu's can run AI.

The longer answer is this is going to depend upon HOW *you* will want / need to run an AI engine. Depending up the AI engine you need / want to run... that engine may require a specific GPU. (most dont, but some do.) And when they do.. the AI engine usually talks direct to your Nvidia chips.

As for running an NVidia card... that is all I run in my desktops, (Intel CPUs) and I have VERY little issue with them. I do however, only run older cards ( 2 years old is my latest) and I typically stick with GeForce as they have done well by me.

Laptops... I totally prefer Intel and of the last 4 laptops I have used, all have been intel and all have been very good. ( including my current 10/23 aged HP. ) And while I have only dabbled with AI engines, the ones I have tested all run just fine.

Thanks a lot @CharlesV
I will see how it goes. I will try then hopefully the new Ultra processor with NVIDIA, I will try to get the max. RAM and SSD.
Unfortunately AI is generally demanding a lot of hardware.

Thank you very much all for all your feed back.

It depends...phones supply AI through a Net connection without fancy GPUs.

I hope "AI" won't be the automotive undercoating or extended warranty upselling option for computers, but it already seems to be that.

Just one last question, what should I install from "Discover to get my NVIDIA GPU working? Sorry, no expert here. Never had NVIDIA before. I looked at "Discover and found lots of things. I don't know which one, or maybe a command to install.
Sorry for asking a lot.
But I will appreciate your guidance

Stevo wrote: ↑Sun Feb 02, 2025 12:34 pm It depends...phones supply AI through a Net connection without fancy GPUs.

I hope "AI" won't be the undercoating upselling option for computers, but it already seems to be that.

Thanks @Stevo
Unfortunately this is what I read on most AI websites.
Generally AI is very demanding by design.
It needs a lot of CPU and a lot of RAM.

I can see it having a lot of utility in self-driving vehicles, though. We have enough natural stupidity in humans to full the demand for NS.

limotux wrote: ↑Sun Feb 02, 2025 12:42 pm Just one last question, what should I install from "Discover to get my NVIDIA GPU working? Sorry, no expert here. Never had NVIDIA before. I looked at "Discover and found lots of things. I don't know which one, or maybe a command to install.
Sorry for asking a lot.
But I will appreciate your guidance

There are a few things that are good to do to "install nvidia" .

First .install the correct drivers with the following code ( or MX Menu - Nvidia Driver Installer )
sudo ddm-mx -i nvidia

Then, I typically run nvidia-setting from the terminal. (As I recall ti is installed with the drivers, but I might have installed it.)

There are a few things that can help if your in trouble ( nvidia-run-ms or nvidia-xconfig ) , but normally I have not had run them.

Thanks a lot @CharlesV NVIDIA owes you a new client!
For the first time thanks to all of you and to the amazing MX Linux I will be having a laptop with NVIDIA.

@Stevo Not only self-driving vehicles in my humble point of view. I see it mainly about data, knowledge and information. AI is just the next big thing after electricity and the internet.

Thank you all for all your feed back.

limotux wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 3:38 am Thanks a lot @CharlesV NVIDIA owes you a new client!
For the first time thanks to all of you and to the amazing MX Linux I will be having a laptop with NVIDIA.

@Stevo Not only self-driving vehicles in my humble point of view. I see it mainly about data, knowledge and information. AI is just the next big thing after electricity and the internet.

Thank you all for all your feed back.

You are very welcome!