How to Install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04

This guide will demonstrate how to install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS Linux releases. You’ll learn to utilize the command-line terminal with the APT Package Manager via a LaunchPAD PPA maintained by Arun Sivaraman or Flatpak with the Flathub repository.

GPU-Viewer is a powerful tool designed to provide users with a comprehensive overview of their graphics card’s capabilities and performance metrics. At its core, GPU-Viewer makes the intricate details of your GPU accessible, offering insights into various technical aspects that are crucial for developers, gamers, and professionals who demand peak performance from their hardware.

Key features of GPU-Viewer include:

  • Real-time Monitoring: Track your GPU’s performance, including temperature, usage, and clock speeds, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
  • Detailed Specifications: Access detailed information about your GPU, such as its model, manufacturer, and the supported OpenGL, Vulkan, and OpenCL versions.
  • Compatibility Checks: Easily verify your GPU’s compatibility with different applications and games, reducing troubleshooting time.
  • Driver Management: View and manage your graphics driver versions, helping maintain system stability and performance.
  • Benchmarking Tools: Utilize integrated benchmarking tools to test and compare the performance of your graphics hardware.
  • Customizable Interface: Tailor the interface to suit your preferences, enhancing usability and accessibility.
  • Cross-Platform Support: Despite focusing on Ubuntu, GPU-Viewer’s versatility allows it to function across various Linux distributions.
  • Community Support: Benefit from the knowledge and support of a vibrant community, offering tips, tricks, and troubleshooting advice.

With GPU-Viewer, users gain visibility into their system’s graphics handling capabilities and the power to optimize and enhance their computing experience. This tool bridges the gap between hardware potential and user expectation, ensuring your setup meets both current and future demands.

Now, let’s dive into the technical how-to.

Install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu via APT

Update Ubuntu Before GPU-Viewer Installation

Before proceeding with the installation, ensuring your Ubuntu system is up-to-date is essential. To update your system, run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Import GPU-Viewer PPA on Ubuntu

The default Ubuntu repositories do not offer GPU-Viewer. However, you can install it from a PPA that Arun Sivaraman maintains, which consistently provides the latest version of GPU-Viewer.

First, make sure to install the required dependencies using the following command:

sudo apt install software-properties-common -y

Next, import the PPA into your system with this command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:arunsivaraman/gpuviewer -y

Update Packages Index for GPU-Viewer Import

After adding the PPA, you must update the package index to sync the changes. Run the following command to update the package index:

sudo apt update

Install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu via APT Command

After adding the PPA and updating the package index, proceed with the GPU-Viewer installation. To install GPU-Viewer on your Ubuntu system, execute the following command:

sudo apt install gpu-viewer

Install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu via Flatpak and Flathub

This section explores an alternative GPU-Viewer installation method using the Flatpak package manager. Like Snap, Flatpak is a third-party installation package manager across many Linux distributions, providing access to the latest packages.

Note: If your system does not have Flatpak installed, please refer to our own guide on How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu for step-by-step instructions on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak.

Enable Flathub For GPU-Viewer

Before installing GPU-Viewer through Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository, a primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to a wide variety of applications, including GPU-Viewer.

Install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu via Flatpak Command

With Flathub enabled, you can now install GPU-Viewer using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub io.github.arunsivaramanneo.GPUViewer

This command installs the GPU-Viewer application from the Flathub repository, providing you with the latest version of the utility.

Launch GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu via CLI or GUI

Once you have successfully installed GPU-Viewer, there are several methods to launch the application. This section will explore different ways to start GPU-Viewer, catering to terminal and desktop users.

CLI Methods to Launch GPU-Viewer

For those who prefer using the terminal, you can launch GPU-Viewer by executing the following command:

gpu-viewer

If you have installed GPU-Viewer using Flatpak, you will need to use the following command instead:

flatpak run io.github.arunsivaramanneo.GPUViewer

GUI Method to Launch GPU-Viewer

For desktop users, you can find GPU-Viewer in your application menu and launch it by clicking its icon. To locate GPU-Viewer, follow this path:

Activities > Show Applications > GPU-Viewer
Launching GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu using the application icon for versions 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04.
Easy steps to launch GPU-Viewer from the application icon on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04.

First-Time Tips with GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu

Now that you’ve successfully installed GPU-Viewer on your Ubuntu system, here are some essential tips to help you get started with the software.

General Tips for GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu

  • Check GPU Compatibility: Before diving deep into the features, ensure your GPU is fully supported by GPU-Viewer. Most modern NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel graphics cards work seamlessly, but it’s good to verify.
  • Explore the UI: Familiarize yourself with the GPU-Viewer user interface. Take some time to navigate through the different sections to understand what information and features are available.
  • Monitor GPU Performance: Regularly check the performance metrics like temperature, usage, and clock speeds. This can help you spot potential issues early on.
  • Utilize Community Forums: If you encounter any issues or have questions, the Linux and GPU-Viewer communities are great resources for support and advice.

Customizing GPU-Viewer

  • Theme Selection: You can customize the look and feel of GPU-Viewer by changing its theme. Experiment with different themes to find one that suits your preference.
  • Adjust Refresh Rate: For real-time monitoring, adjust the refresh rate according to your needs. A faster rate gives more up-to-date information but can consume more resources.
  • Configure Notifications: Set up notifications for critical performance thresholds, like high temperature, to avoid potential hardware damage.
  • Data Export: Learn how to export data, such as benchmark results or detailed specifications, for record-keeping or further analysis.

Efficiency Tips

  • Close Unnecessary Applications: To get the most accurate performance readings, close any applications that are not in use to reduce unnecessary GPU load.
  • Benchmark Wisely: When running benchmarks, ensure your system is as idle as possible to get consistent and reliable results.
  • Review GPU Utilization: Regularly review your GPU utilization to optimize your system for the best balance between performance and power consumption.
  • Documentation: Dive into the GPU-Viewer documentation. It’s filled with valuable information that can help you understand and utilize the software more effectively.

Keyboard Shortcuts for GPU-Viewer

  • F1: Open the help documentation.
  • Ctrl + F: Search within the current tab for specific GPU details.
  • Ctrl + S: Save the current information or report displayed on the screen.
  • Ctrl + Q: Quit GPU-Viewer quickly.

Other Helpful Tips

  • Compatibility Mode: If you’re using a hybrid GPU system (e.g., laptops with integrated and dedicated GPUs), explore how GPU-Viewer handles switching between them.
  • Update GPU Drivers: While this guide doesn’t cover updating drivers, ensure they are up to date for the best compatibility and performance with GPU-Viewer.
  • Learning Resources: Look for tutorials and guides that can provide deeper insights into interpreting the data GPU-Viewer presents.
  • Feedback Contribution: If you have suggestions for improvements or find bugs, consider contributing feedback to the GPU-Viewer developers.

Following these tips, you’ll get more out of GPU-Viewer and enhance your overall experience on Ubuntu. Remember, the goal is to empower you with the knowledge to monitor, analyze, and optimize your GPU’s performance effectively.

GPU-Viewer interface ready for use on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04, showcasing GPU data.
A look at the GPU-Viewer interface on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04, displaying detailed GPU information.

Additional GPU-Viewer Commands with Ubuntu

This section will cover additional GPU-Viewer commands that you may find helpful when working with Ubuntu Linux. We will discuss how to update GPU-Viewer, as well as how to uninstall it using various methods.

Update GPU-Viewer

It is essential to keep your GPU-Viewer installation up-to-date to ensure you have access to the latest features and bug fixes. The update process differs based on the installation method you have used.

APT Update Method for GPU-Viewer

If you have installed GPU-Viewer using the APT PPA method, you can update it by running the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade gpu-viewer

Flatpak Update Method for GPU-Viewer

For those who have installed GPU-Viewer using Flatpak, use the following command to update it:

flatpak update io.github.arunsivaramanneo.GPUViewer

Or to update all Flatpak installations:

flatpak update

Remove GPU-Viewer

If you need to uninstall GPU-Viewer from your Ubuntu system, the removal process will depend on your installation method. Below are the commands for each method:

APT Remove Method for GPU-Viewer

To uninstall GPU-Viewer installed via APT, run the following command:

sudo apt remove gpu-viewer

If you want to remove the PPA repository after uninstalling GPU-Viewer, execute the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:arunsivaraman/gpuviewer -y

Flatpak Remove Method for GPU-Viewer

For GPU-Viewer installations using Flatpak, use the following command to uninstall it:

flatpak uninstall io.github.arunsivaramanneo.GPUViewer

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we’ve walked you through the steps to install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu versions 24.04, 22.04, and 20.04 LTS, covering everything from utilizing APT and LaunchPAD PPA to Flatpak installations. We’ve armed you with first-time tips, customization advice, and efficiency hacks to ensure you get the most out of this powerful tool. Remember, keeping your GPU drivers up to date and regularly checking GPU performance can significantly enhance your system’s efficiency. Whether you’re a developer, gamer, or just keen on system performance, GPU-Viewer is an invaluable asset on your Ubuntu system. Dive in, explore its features, and make your GPU work for you!

Leave a Comment


Your Mastodon Instance
Share to...