GPU for Linux Workstation

[FauxisFox]

Hey guys, so I'm planning on converting my VM heavy workstation into a gaming rig. The thing is though, is that I'm running Linux for features like zfs, raid, and bash, and don't want to convert it to winDOS just for video games. Dual booting isn't an option. So I've settled on IOMMU because I've already got a whole bunch of Windows VM's sitting in the hard drives and two GPU's. Except there's one problem. I have a brand new Nvidia Geforce 1060 6GB coming in the mail and a decaying ATI Radeon HD 4850 currently in the machine (been having issues with artifacts, heat, noise, power, and what-not). I'm not sure how much longer the Radeon will last as a basic desktop graphics solution and being that my machine is based around the FX-8350, I don't have integrated graphics to fall back on. So here's the rub; I want a GPU that is both extremely cheap and power/heat efficient to replace the Radeon, preferably one with a modern vBios that supports UEFI (something the Radeon does not), but I'm on the rocks about spending the money. Should I just suck it up and get a replacement, and if so, what should I get? Or should I just use a single GPU on Linux (the 1060) and wait to get a more powerful one to link to a VM? Thanks in advanced!

 

[LinuxDevice]

The 1060Ti works extremely well on Linux and NVIDIA's drivers are stable. NVIDIA has a lot of quality emphasis in the driver since they want CUDA to be popular. I don't know about vBios feature...I know some people have used a VM with this, but I have no experience on it.

There may be some distributions with differing convenience methods of adding the NVIDIA driver...what follows below is for manual install if you don't use those other means. For reference see:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

The default free video driver would be Nouveau. This is a nice driver, but it would be slow and fail to take advantage of GPU. Install of the NVIDIA driver (currently 375.66) involves disabling Nouveau and installing package "kernel-devel" (the module is built against the kernel). I do this manually while in text mode. A typical way to boot to text mode is to add a grub entry which matches the default entry, but adds "rd.driver.blacklist=nouveau" and "systemd.unit=multi-user.target" to the kernel command line (the linux16 line in grub.cfg). You can manually switch to text-mode via "sudo systemctl isolate multi-user.target", then back to GUI mode with "sudo systemctl isolate graphical.target". The command line of linux16 in the grub.cfg can do the equivalent by appending "systemd.unit=multi-user.target" when you want to boot to text mode (dropping into grub console with "e" key lets you edit this temporarily if you didn't remember ot add this). The purpose of the blacklist is explained below.

Be sure you have your module downloaded before you blacklist nouveau, and be in text mode (multi-user.target). If your text mode console goes from a small font to an old 640x480 screen with a large font, then you know you have correctly disabled nouveau (nouveau uses a framebuffer, non-nouveau uses old style VGA BIOS modes). You can use chmod to make NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-375.66.run executable, then "sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-375.66.run". Answer to accept license, install and allow xorg.conf update, so on. Then when you reboot (or "sudo systemctl isolate graphical.target") you should be in the NVIDIA version of the X driver. Verify with "glxinfo"...NVIDIA should show up in it.

 

[okcnaline]

Are you trying to do a GPU passthrough?

 

[FauxisFox]

Yeah, I'm trying to do a GPU passthrough with a weaker GPU running my Linux host. I'm just having trouble figuring out what card I should get for the Linux host.

Also, thanks LinuxDevice, that info is going to come in handy.

 

[okcnaline]

Get an NVIDIA GPU. Looks like those are the easiest to passthrough (but still a lot to do for passthrough).

 

[eco_bach]

My advice if you are a linux newbie is to stick with Ubuntu and only install approved drivers via software and updates.
Virtually all my problems have been Nvidia driver related!

 

[FauxisFox]

Eco_bach, I'm no Linux/Unix newbie; my desktop used to run Solaris and I avoided Windows like the plague. But I sort of need it now for graphics applications like games, so I thought passthrough would be the best option given my current setup. I knew I should probably get a second Nvidia GPU for Linix itself because I've had problems in the past with my ATI Radeon card and AMD Linux drivers. But here's the real question; what's the most cost effective model that I should get for use on Linux? I already had a 1060 for windows vm passthrough.

 

[Saga Lout]

My advice if you are a linux newbie is to stick with Ubuntu and only install approved drivers via software and updates.
Virtually all my problems have been Nvidia driver related!

Just which part of FauxisFox's original post makes you think he's a Linux newb, eco-bach?

 

[LinuxDevice]

Eco_bach, I'm no Linux/Unix newbie; my desktop used to run Solaris and I avoided Windows like the plague. But I sort of need it now for graphics applications like games, so I thought passthrough would be the best option given my current setup. I knew I should probably get a second Nvidia GPU for Linix itself because I've had problems in the past with my ATI Radeon card and AMD Linux drivers. But here's the real question; what's the most cost effective model that I should get for use on Linux? I already had a 1060 for windows vm passthrough.

I use the 1060 with 6GB VRAM. This was in fact purchased because it had sufficient power and was the most cost effective. It is used extensively in Linux with the NVIDIA drivers (not Nouveau).

 

[The Paladin]

But here's the real question; what's the most cost effective model that I should get for use on Linux? I already had a 1060 for windows vm passthrough.

FauxisFox, your question is a very interesting one, been watching with interest.
Usually the host GPU can be a little lower than the pass-through GPU, I would think, and admittedly I have not looked into compatibilities with Linux, but assuming; as in under windows if you have an NVidia card, do not put a Amd card in.

So Based on that, I would say comparing what you had before HD4850 was a basic card. so comparing the HD4850 vs GTX 1030 and GTX 1050ti, I would say price wise 1030 seems like a good investment (about double processing power from what have and trice lower power consumption), but of course if you can spare the 100+ for the 1050 TI you will get a card twice as powerful as the 1030 and only 25% power saving..

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=gtx+1030+low+profile&N=-1&isNodeId=1

source passmark:

 

[okcnaline]

What?

The Radeon HD 4850 is the top tier card 9 years ago, not a basic card. The reason OP wants to replace it is because it's starting to cause problems. The GT 1030 is pointless and is an absolutely poor investment, given that it can't even compete against the 1050 Ti properly at 1080P resolutions.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gt-1030-2gb,5110-3.html

 

[The Paladin]

he doesn't need a 1060 for host while he has a 1060 for pass-through...

 

[okcnaline]

True, but it isn't specified what the Radeon card was for.

 

[macgeek]

Hey guys, so I'm planning on converting my VM heavy workstation into a gaming rig. The thing is though, is that I'm running Linux for features like zfs, raid, and bash, and don't want to convert it to winDOS just for video games. Dual booting isn't an option. So I've settled on IOMMU because I've already got a whole bunch of Windows VM's sitting in the hard drives and two GPU's. Except there's one problem. I have a brand new Nvidia Geforce 1060 6GB coming in the mail and a decaying ATI Radeon HD 4850 currently in the machine (been having issues with artifacts, heat, noise, power, and what-not). I'm not sure how much longer the Radeon will last as a basic desktop graphics solution and being that my machine is based around the FX-8350, I don't have integrated graphics to fall back on. So here's the rub; I want a GPU that is both extremely cheap and power/heat efficient to replace the Radeon, preferably one with a modern vBios that supports UEFI (something the Radeon does not), but I'm on the rocks about spending the money. Should I just suck it up and get a replacement, and if so, what should I get? Or should I just use a single GPU on Linux (the 1060) and wait to get a more powerful one to link to a VM? Thanks in advanced!

If I understand correctly, you're going to run a Windows VM to play games. Is my understanding correct?

Personally, I would just install Windows on a separate drive due to issues of performance and I'd either use Wine or Lutris for supported games.