Updated procedure for Linux Mint 22 and eGPU running Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB

Thunderbolt (TB3/TB4) is explicitly designed for hot-plugging.

It uses :

• Hot-plug–safe PCIe tunneling
• Overcurrent protection
• Digital handshaking before enabling high-power lanes
• Cable and device negotiation before link-up
• Mandatory protective circuitry required by Intel’s TB certification

You are supposed to plug and unplug TB devices while the system is powered — that’s how eGPUs, docks, displays, and drives are meant to work.

There is no scenario in which hot-plugging a functioning Thunderbolt cable damages the hardware.

- Power on laptop normally
- Log into desktop
- Turn ON the eGPU enclosure
- Wait 2–3 seconds (GPU initializes)
- Plug in the Thunderbolt cable
- Wait for the OS to detect/authorize the eGPU

- Close any apps using the eGPU (optional but safer)
- Save your work
- Unplug the Thunderbolt cable
- Wait 2–3 seconds
- Power OFF the eGPU enclosure if desired

sudo apt install bolt thunderbolt-tools

Ensure the bolt service is running:

systemctl status bolt

lspci | grep -i thunderbolt
lsmod | grep thunderbolt

Expected:

• Intel Thunderbolt controller listed
• thunderbolt kernel module loaded

In BIOS:

• Thunderbolt: Enabled
• Security Level: No Security (SL0)

⚠️ Required, otherwise devices may not enumerate under Linux.

Boot the laptop without the eGPU connected.

Then:

• Power ON the Core X
• Plug the Thunderbolt cable

Check detection:

boltctl list

If needed:

sudo boltctl authorize <UUID>

Verify PCIe device:

lspci | grep -i nvidia

Install the recommended driver (for GTX 1060):

sudo apt install nvidia-driver-535

⚠️ Do NOT use NVIDIA .run installer (breaks package management and updates)

echo "blacklist nouveau" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-nouveau.conf
echo "options nouveau modeset=0" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-nouveau.conf
sudo update-initramfs -u

Reboot (without eGPU connected).

Linux Mint 22 does not provide prime-run by default.

Create it manually:

sudo nano /usr/local/bin/prime-run

Content:

#!/ bin / sh
__NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD=1 \
__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia \
__VK_LAYER_NV_optimus=NVIDIA_only \
__NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD_PROVIDER=NVIDIA-G0 \
exec "$@"

Make executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/prime-run

Connect the eGPU after boot, then run:

nvidia-smi

You should see the GTX 1060 listed.

Test offloading:

prime-run glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"

Run applications on the eGPU:

prime-run <application>

Example:

prime-run blender
prime-run steam

• Laptop must boot without eGPU connected (known limitation on this hardware)
• eGPU must be hot-plugged after login
• Internal display introduces a ~20–30% performance penalty (PCIe copy-back)
• External monitor connected to the GPU removes this penalty completely
• Cycles rendering (Blender) is not affected by this limitation