I have a PC that I got from someone else who built their PC and it is finally starting to show its age. Sometimes when I open applications, the frame rate drops.

I think it is using one of these currently, from 2014. https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/900-series/

I know that gfx cards have to be compatible with your Power Supply, and your PCI-E slot, but not sure what else I should know??

I would like to get something very compatible with Linux, Firefox, and Wayland, with lots of hardware codecs. Intel ARC?

How do you learn all this stuff?

  • sem@piefed.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
    1·
    8 days ago

    Thanks, I didn’t know that x8 pcie was a thing now… also resizable bar support – something else to research.

    I cleaned up the dust and I haven’t noticed those “jerky cursor” problems for a bit, so hopefully that was it. It wasn’t even that much dust, so we’ll see how long 'til the system does it again. I am not trying to play any specific games, just trying to use the OS, file picker, etc., without lag.

    The PSU is a Corsair TX750

    I would like a linux desktop that “just works” ™ when I upgrade, but doesn’t have to play heavy games or pull heavy workloads. I thought a steam machine might be a decent choice for that, but hopefully this desktop has a few more years left in it.

    • Toes♀@ani.social
      2·
      8 days ago

      jerky cursor” problems

      Are you using the nvidia drivers and have your monitor connected to the gpu?

      The 980 should be more than capable of a fully functional desktop experience, so after cleaning the dust it may have just been a heating issue.

      • sem@piefed.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
        2·
        8 days ago

        I am using the nvidia proprietary drivers, and had to use prime-select to set them to default. I am guessing it was just a heating issue! It looks like I should add dusting it out to the regular preventative maintenance schedule. I am hoping to not have to mess with the thermal paste.

        I have two monitors set up – one is connected to the discrete gpu, the other is connected to the integrated gpu. They are both using DVI to HDMI cables.

        • Toes♀@ani.social
          2·
          3 days ago

          The thought just hit me if you’re playing with prime-select. It may have been using your integrated graphics instead for the window manager. Glad you got it solved either way.