Running CUDA on Linux needs the display driver - but it is not documented

Accelerated Computing CUDA CUDA Setup and Installation
1

Dear all,

I was installing CUDA on my new CentOS 7 fresh install.
I realize that the Linux Display drivers for my K5200 must first be installed in order for nvidia-persistenced to launch.

So either:

  1. I’m wrong
  2. I’m right and it’s a bit counterinuitive. I don’t care about using my GPU as a display, hence why would I need the driver installed ?

If it’s 2., then I’m willing to accept it as it is, but I would suggest it to be mentionned in the documentation somewhere…

2

The GPU driver is needed for almost any usage of the GPU, including CUDA.

If you follow the steps given in the CUDA linux install guide, the driver will be installed.