Script to install NVIDIA drivers for 50XX series on Ubuntu 24.04

install_nvidia_driver.sh

#!/usr/bin/env bash
# Script to install NVIDIA drivers for 50XX series on Ubuntu 24.04
#
# Why use the `-open` driver?
# ----------------------------
# - NVIDIA 50XX (Blackwell) GPUs are only supported by the open kernel modules.
# - The traditional proprietary DKMS-based drivers do not support this series.
# - `nvidia-driver-<version>-open` is still maintained by NVIDIA and provides
#   full CUDA support (unlike Nouveau).
#
# Example: VERSION=580 is the first branch with support for RTX 50XX.

set -euo pipefail

VERSION="${1:-580}"

echo "[INFO] Removing old NVIDIA drivers..."
sudo apt purge -y "nvidia-*" "libnvidia-*"

echo "[INFO] Installing NVIDIA driver version ${VERSION}-open..."
sudo apt install -y "nvidia-driver-${VERSION}-open"

echo "[INFO] Installation completed."
echo "Please reboot to apply changes."