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How to Install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu 22.04 | 20.04
Last Updated on by Joshua James
In the modern computing world, GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) have become an essential computer system component, particularly for tasks like gaming, video editing, and AI research. As an Ubuntu user, you might wonder how to keep track of your GPU’s performance and capabilities. Enter GPU-Viewer, a powerful and versatile utility designed to help you gain insights into your GPU’s information and its supported features. Here are some compelling reasons why Ubuntu users should consider installing GPU-Viewer on their systems:
1. Detailed GPU Information:
GPU-Viewer provides a comprehensive view of your GPU’s specifications, including model, manufacturer, architecture, clock speeds, and memory details.
It displays driver versions and available updates, helping you ensure that your system is running optimally.
2. OpenGL and Vulkan API Support:
GPU-Viewer offers detailed information on your GPU’s support for both OpenGL and Vulkan APIs, the two major graphics APIs used in most modern applications and games.
It allows you to verify which OpenGL extensions are supported and Vulkan’s features and limits.
3. Easy-to-Use Interface:
The application features a user-friendly graphical interface, making it accessible even for those without extensive technical knowledge.
GPU-Viewer organizes information clearly and concisely, allowing you to find the details you need quickly.
4. Regular Updates and Compatibility:
GPU-Viewer is continuously updated to maintain compatibility with the latest GPUs and drivers.
It supports various GPUs from major manufacturers like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel.
In recapping the above points, the GPU-Viewer is an invaluable tool for Ubuntu users seeking a comprehensive and user-friendly utility to monitor their GPU’s performance and capabilities. The following guide will demonstrate how to install GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa using the command line terminal and with a well-maintained Launchpad PPA for the latest version. Alternatively, for those who prefer Flatpaks, we will also cover installing GPU-Viewer from the Flathub repository.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Install GPU-Viewer with APT
This section will walk you through installing GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu using the APT package manager. Following these steps, you can efficiently install GPU-Viewer and have it up and running quickly.
Step 1: Update Ubuntu
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 -y
Step 2: Import GPU-Viewer PPA
GPU-Viewer is not available in the default Ubuntu repositories. However, you can install it from a PPA maintained by Arun Sivaraman, which is consistently updated with 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:
After adding the PPA, you must update the package index to sync the changes. Run the following command to update the packages index:
sudo apt update
Step 4: Install GPU-Viewer
Now that the PPA has been added and the package index updated, you can proceed with the installation of GPU-Viewer. Execute the following command to install GPU-Viewer on your Ubuntu system:
sudo apt install gpu-viewer
Section 2: Install GPU-Viewer with Flatpak and Flathub
This section will explore an alternative method to install GPU-Viewer using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak is a popular option similar to Snap, and it is featured across many Linux distributions as a third-party installation package manager for obtaining 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.
Step 1: Enable Flathub
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:
This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to a wide variety of applications, including GPU-Viewer.
Step 2: Install GPU-Viewer
With Flathub enabled you can now proceed to install GPU-Viewer using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:
This command installs the GPU-Viewer application from the Flathub repository, providing you with the latest version of the utility.
Section 3: Launch GPU-Viewer
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 both terminal and desktop users.
Step 1: Launch GPU-Viewer from the Terminal
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
Step 2: Launch GPU-Viewer from the Desktop
For desktop users, you can find GPU-Viewer in your application menu and launch it by clicking on its icon. To locate GPU-Viewer, follow this path:
Activities > Show Applications > GPU-Viewer
Example of GPU-Viewer application icon on Ubuntu Linux:
Section 4: Getting Started with GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu Linux
This section will provide useful tips to help you make the most of GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu Linux. By following these suggestions, you can enhance your experience with GPU-Viewer and better understand your GPU’s performance and capabilities.
Tip 1: Monitor GPU Temperature
One of the essential aspects of maintaining your GPU’s health is monitoring its temperature. GPU-Viewer can help you monitor your GPU’s temperature, ensuring it remains within a safe range. To access this information:
Open GPU-Viewer
Navigate to the OpenGL or Vulkan tab
Locate the Temperature section
Tip 2: Update GPU Drivers
Keeping your GPU drivers up-to-date is crucial for optimizing your system’s performance and stability. GPU-Viewer allows you to check your current GPU driver version to compare it with the latest available version from the manufacturer’s website. To find your current driver version:
Open GPU-Viewer
Navigate to the OpenGL or Vulkan tab
Locate the Driver Information section
Tip 3: Explore Supported OpenGL Extensions
With GPU-Viewer, you can explore the OpenGL extensions supported by your GPU. This information can be helpful for developers and advanced users who need to ensure compatibility with specific features or applications. To view the list of supported OpenGL extensions:
Open GPU-Viewer
Navigate to the OpenGL tab
Locate the Extensions section
Tip 4: Inspect Vulkan Capabilities
Similar to OpenGL extensions, GPU-Viewer allows you to inspect the Vulkan capabilities of your GPU. This information is valuable for users who want to understand their GPU’s performance and compatibility with Vulkan-based applications and games. To view the Vulkan capabilities:
Open GPU-Viewer
Navigate to the Vulkan tab
Locate the Features and Limits sections
Tip 5: Customize GPU-Viewer Appearance
You can customize GPU-Viewer’s appearance to suit your preferences. The application offers several themes and options to change the look and feel of the interface. To customize GPU-Viewer’s appearance:
Open GPU-Viewer
Navigate to the Settings tab
Choose your desired theme and adjust other appearance options
Section 5: Additional GPU-Viewer Commands with Ubuntu Linux
In this section, we will cover additional GPU-Viewer commands that you may find useful when working with Ubuntu Linux. We will discuss how to update GPU-Viewer, as well as how to uninstall it using various methods.
Step 1: 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 PPA-based installations:
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 installations:
For those who have installed GPU-Viewer using Flatpak, use the following command to update it:
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 Removal Command:
To uninstall GPU-Viewer installed via APT, run the following command:
sudo apt remove gpu-viewer
PPA Removal Command:
If you want to remove the PPA repository after uninstalling GPU-Viewer, execute the following command:
In conclusion, installing GPU-Viewer on Ubuntu Linux is straightforward, whether you use the APT PPA method or Flatpak. We have covered updating and removing GPU-Viewer and shared some helpful tips for getting started with the tool. Following the steps provided, you can effectively manage your GPU-Viewer installation and leverage its features.
Additional Resources and Links
For further information and support on GPU-Viewer, you can explore the following official resources:
GPU-Viewer GitHub Repository: This is the official GitHub repository for GPU-Viewer, where you can find the source code, report issues, and stay up-to-date with the latest developments.
GPU-Viewer Releases on GitHub: Visit this page to access the latest GPU-Viewer releases and view the changelog for each version.
Flatpak Documentation: If you want to learn more about Flatpak and how to use it, this official documentation provides comprehensive information on the subject.
