Step-by-Step Guide: Install NVIDIA Drivers for GT 710 on Linux Mint

Published in Tutorials | Reading Time: 5 mins

Once you have installed Linux Mint, your computer will use the open-source nouveau driver by default. To get full display resolution, smooth hardware video decoding, and proper graphics performance out of your NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 or Kepler GPU, you should install the official legacy driver.

Method 1: Graphical Setup (Recommended)

1. Open the Mint application menu and search for Driver Manager.
2. Enter your system password when prompted.
3. Allow the manager to refresh its repository cache. It will list your graphics card as GeForce GT 710.
4. Select the option labeled nvidia-driver-470.
5. Click Apply Changes and reboot your computer when finished.

Method 2: Command Line (Fast Option)

If you prefer using the terminal, run the following commands in sequence:

# Step 1: Update package lists
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Step 2: Install the NVIDIA 470 legacy driver package
sudo apt install nvidia-driver-470 -y

# Step 3: Reboot system
sudo reboot

How to Verify the Driver Installation

After restarting, open your terminal and type:

nvidia-smi

If installed correctly, a system window will open in your terminal showing your GPU model name, driver version (470.xx), and current VRAM utilization.

Troubleshooting Note:

If secure boot is enabled in your BIOS, you may be prompted to enter a password during driver installation to allow the custom kernel module to load.