Recoil-VII 17' - Linux Support

[shardium]

Hello, I'd like to gain knowledge about potential support for Linux using this model. I am currently using NixOS and noticed that it includes an integrated GPU (iGPU). I am considering configuring Nvidia Optimus Prime to enable/disable one of the GPUs, or to offload the Nvidia GPU.

Are there any specific considerations I should take into account? Can I make these changes without encountering problems? Also, will this impact the different modes that I can switch between using the button next to the power button?

Are there any drivers for Linux that I could install, and is it possible to access the control center using Linux?

My laptop build:

OS: NixOS 23.11.20231220.d65bcea (Tapir) x86_64
Host: TongFang GM7PX7N
Kernel: 6.1.68
Resolution: 2560x1600
DE: Plasma 5.27.10
WM: KWin
CPU: 13th Gen Intel i9-13900HX (32) @ 5.200GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Max-Q / Mobile
GPU: Intel Raptor Lake-S UHD Graphics
Memory: 31845MiB

Thank you in advance.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hello, I'd like to gain knowledge about potential support for Linux using this model. I am currently using NixOS and noticed that it includes an integrated GPU (iGPU). I am considering configuring Nvidia Optimus Prime to enable/disable one of the GPUs, or to offload the Nvidia GPU.

Are there any specific considerations I should take into account? Can I make these changes without encountering problems? Also, will this impact the different modes that I can switch between using the button next to the power button?

Are there any drivers for Linux that I could install, and is it possible to access the control center using Linux?

My laptop build:

OS: NixOS 23.11.20231220.d65bcea (Tapir) x86_64
Host: TongFang GM7PX7N
Kernel: 6.1.68
Resolution: 2560x1600
DE: Plasma 5.27.10
WM: KWin
CPU: 13th Gen Intel i9-13900HX (32) @ 5.200GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Max-Q / Mobile
GPU: Intel Raptor Lake-S UHD Graphics
Memory: 31845MiB

Thank you in advance.

Is this a pcspecialist system? Can you post your full specs from the order page?

 

[shardium]

Is this a pcspecialist system? Can you post your full specs from the order page?

Hello, yes, it is the Recoil VII 17 Laptop.

Here are the full specs:
Chassis & Display
Recoil Series: 17" Matte QHD 240Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1600)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 24 Core Processor 13900HX (5.4GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 4800MHz SODIMM DDR5 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 4070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 6500MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 280W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre European Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Recoil Series Integrated 99WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
LIQUID METAL PERFORMANCE COOLING
Sound Card
Nahimic by SteelSeries 2 Channel HD Audio
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.3
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 PORT + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Product Labelling
Triman Recycle Label V.1

 

[SpyderTracks]

So the recoil has a MUX switch.

With Optimus you can't disable the on board graphics and just use the Nvidia card as it's always routing through the on board graphics, so if you were to disable the intel gpu, you'd lose display.

With the MUX switch turned on, it bypasses the on board graphics and only uses the Nvidia card, so you'll get a lot more power, and it's far easier to configure in Linux using NoModeSet unless that specific Kernel has an Nvidia driver (which a lot do these days since Nvidia made them open source). Otherwise it's kind of pointless paying all that money for such a high end GPU and never using it.

You won't be able to use control center in Linux as it's a windows only application.

 

[shardium]

So the recoil has a MUX switch.

With Optimus you can't disable the on board graphics and just use the Nvidia card as it's always routing through the on board graphics, so if you were to disable the intel gpu, you'd lose display.

With the MUX switch turned on, it bypasses the on board graphics and only uses the Nvidia card, so you'll get a lot more power, and it's far easier to configure in Linux using NoModeSet unless that specific Kernel has an Nvidia driver (which a lot do these days since Nvidia made them open source). Otherwise it's kind of pointless paying all that money for such a high end GPU and never using it.

You won't be able to use control center in Linux as it's a windows only application.

Mhm I see, my only goal to enbable/disable the nvidia GPU was to reduce heat when I don't need it. I see that a lot of times, the nvidia graphics card gets used for nothing, for example the browser. Which is pointless.
I'll take note of the MUX switch, but the thing is, the open source nvidia drivers are really crappy as of right now. So I'll still go with the proprietary ones, did you meant that Iwon't be able to configure the MUX switch if I use the proprietary drivers?
Thanks in advance.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Mhm I see, my only goal to enbable/disable the nvidia GPU was to reduce heat when I don't need it. I see that a lot of times, the nvidia graphics card gets used for nothing, for example the browser. Which is pointless.
I'll take note of the MUX switch, but the thing is, the open source nvidia drivers are really crappy as of right now. So I'll still go with the proprietary ones, did you meant that Iwon't be able to configure the MUX switch if I use the proprietary drivers?
Thanks in advance.

The MUX is BIOS level, has no relation to drivers.

If you haven't ordered the water cooler, that chassis will always thermal throttle, the water cooler is a required part.

 

[shardium]

The MUX is BIOS level, has no relation to drivers.

If you haven't ordered the water cooler, that chassis will always thermal throttle, the water cooler is a required part.

Alright, Thanks for your help. Have a nice day/evening.