RTX 5070 sitting at zero in Ubuntu while integrated graphics are maxed out

Framework Laptop 16 Linux
1

Which Linux distro are you using?
Ubuntu

Which release version?
25.10

Which kernel are you using?
6.17.0-8-generic

Which BIOS version are you using?
04.03

Which Framework Laptop 16 model are you using?
AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series

—

Today I fitted my RTX 5070, I have two Ubuntu installs (work and personal) and one Windows 11 install.

  • Windows didn’t recognise the GPU until I had installed new drivers (not mentioned on the installation instructions)
  • Personal Ubuntu was a real nightmare, I ended up upgrading to 25.10 while trying to dig myself out of a hole which wasn’t wise but it’s running smoothly again now
  • Work Ubuntu was pretty easy, I used the UI and enabled the (proprietary, tested) version which doesn’t get in the way

So now comes the question - is it being used?

On Windows I can load up Minecraft with shaders and see the RTX listed in the F3 menu, I can see load being sent to it in the system monitor.

On Linux, I can see it with nvtop, but it’s not being used at all. I installed ollama in order to try some local AI and it put that whole workload on the RTX. I haven’t managed to put any graphical load onto the RTX at all in Linux.

I’ve tried different settings in the Nvidia app, I’ve tried sudo prime-select nvidia, I’ve tried launching Minecraft with a DRI_PRIME=1 environment variable, I’ve tried the same in Spiderman Miles Morales via Steam (based on a Framework guide GitHub - FrameworkComputer/dri_prime1-detection: A simple application to verify if desired applications are running with discrete graphics)

Screenshot attached shows nvtop with the integrated GPU maxing out and the RTX not being used at all.

Screenshot From 2026-01-21 01-22-03-1
Screenshot From 2026-01-21 01-22-03-11235×777 94 KB

I can max out the RTX with ollama so it’s clearly working, but not with anything graphical.

Is there a guide to using the RTX card on Ubuntu?

2

You got 240w charger right?

Since it would need that for rtx 5070 but I could be wrong.

3

I’m plugged into the same charger for my:

  • Successful windows graphics test
  • Successful Ubuntu AI test
  • Failed Ubuntu graphics test

I don’t think the charger is affecting the outcome.

4

Try to set the NV MUX to “NV GPU only“ mode in the BIOS.

5

This worked! Thank you!

I can see myself choosing different options at different times, but I managed to see the RTX being used with graphical stuff :slight_smile:

Screenshot From 2026-01-21 12-22-53
Screenshot From 2026-01-21 12-22-531240×784 89.8 KB

6

Have you tried using gpumode to see that hybrid mode is on? GitHub - FrameworkComputer/GPUMode: System tray application for manual GPU mode switching on Ubuntu

Also, when I used hybrid graphics with the 7700S on Ubuntu, I used the context menu on app icon to override the GPU, rather than a an environment variable, and that worked well

7

I assume trying to run a game in steam?

add:

DRI_PRIME=1 %command%

Or, start an application with the dGPU from your gnome apps:

right click, start with dGPU

Or, start an application from terminal:

$ DRI_PRIME=1 <application_name>