How to tell if graphics processing in Ubuntu is utilizing hardware acceleration

Question

How I could tell if graphics processing (3D, video encode/decude) in Ubuntu is utilizing hardware acceleration (ie. using GPU). Is there a utility that can help?

Solution 1

Try the following command if you're running Unity:

/usr/lib/nux/unity_support_test -p

It will tell you if you're using a Software renderer.

Solution 2

you can use glxinfo to test if your X server is using the GPU driver. glxinfo queries X server about its OpenGL version, renderer string, Visuals supported and other infomation.

glxinfo | less

Comments

[girardengo]

This might help How to test 3d acceleration?

[ganezdragon]

Even I had this doubt. So what am I supposed to look at in the output of this command?

[sgx1]

OpenGL version, vendor string, renderer string. then you'll know if you're running open source drivers or proprietary drivers or software rasterizers.