Installing the correct GPU drivers for your system is crucial for optimal performance. This guide will walk you through the process of installing AMD GPU drivers on Ubuntu 20.04.
To install AMD GPU drivers on Ubuntu 20.04, you can either use the open source AMDGPU drivers that come with the operating system or install the proprietary AMDGPU-PRO drivers from the AMD website. The installation process involves downloading the drivers, extracting the files, navigating to the extracted folder, and running the installation script. Make sure to check the compatibility of your hardware with the drivers you intend to install.
Preparing Your System
Before we begin, make sure your system is up-to-date. You can do this by running the following commands in the terminal:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgradeThe sudo apt update command fetches the list of available updates, while sudo apt upgrade installs new versions of packages you already have.
Checking Your Hardware
Next, confirm that your system has an AMD GPU. Use the following command:
lspci -nn | grep VGAThe lspci -nn | grep VGA command lists all PCI devices and filters for VGA compatible devices. If you see an AMD GPU listed, you can proceed with the installation.
Installing the AMDGPU Drivers
Ubuntu 20.04 comes with open source AMDGPU drivers out of the box. These drivers are sufficient for most users. If you want to install the proprietary AMDGPU-PRO drivers, follow the steps below:
- Download the AMDGPU-PRO drivers: Visit the AMD website and download the appropriate drivers for your GPU and Ubuntu version.
- Extract the downloaded file: Use the following command to extract the downloaded file:
tar -Jxvf amdgpu-pro-XX.XX.XX-XXXXXX.tar.xzReplace amdgpu-pro-XX.XX.XX-XXXXXX.tar.xz with the name of the file you downloaded. The tar -Jxvf command extracts the tar.xz file.
- Navigate to the extracted folder: Use the
cdcommand followed by the folder name to navigate into the extracted folder. - Install the drivers: Run the following command to install the drivers:
./amdgpu-pro-install -yThe ./amdgpu-pro-install -y command runs the installation script. The -y flag automatically answers ‘yes’ to all prompts, allowing the script to run without user intervention.
After the installation is complete, reboot your system to ensure the new drivers are properly loaded.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues during installation, it’s possible that the AMDGPU-PRO drivers are not compatible with Ubuntu 20.04. In this case, you can use the open source AMDGPU drivers that come with Ubuntu 20.04, downgrade to Ubuntu 18.04, or wait for AMD to release updated drivers for Ubuntu 20.04.
Conclusion
Installing AMD GPU drivers on Ubuntu 20.04 can be a straightforward process if you follow the steps outlined in this guide. Remember to keep your system updated and check the compatibility of your hardware with the drivers you intend to install.
Yes, Ubuntu 20.04 comes with open source AMDGPU drivers by default, which should be sufficient for most users. However, if you require the additional features and performance optimizations provided by the proprietary AMDGPU-PRO drivers, you will need to download and install them separately.
To check the version of the installed AMD GPU drivers, you can use the following command in the terminal: dpkg -l amdgpu. This will display the version number of the installed AMD GPU drivers.
Yes, you can uninstall the AMD GPU drivers if needed. To do so, open a terminal and run the following command: sudo amdgpu-pro-uninstall. This will remove the proprietary AMD GPU drivers from your system and revert back to the open source drivers.
Yes, it is recommended to reboot your system after installing the AMD GPU drivers. This ensures that the new drivers are properly loaded and any changes take effect.
