Kodi on Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS Server and ESXi

Hi,

I am working on an experiment, trying to get Kodi installed in a vm, on Ubuntu server 16.04.2 LTS on an ESXi server and do a passthrough with an Nvidia card using the HDMI out

This is where I am.

I followed this post on installing Kodi 17 in an ESXi vm and that was successful.
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=231955

However, it seems to mostly be running off CPU and a little sluggish. I did a pass through with a GTX 1050 Ti and am now trying to install the nvidia drivers in ubuntu.

But, when I install the .run file, Kodi no longer loads right.

And when I install the apt-get install method, it takes over xorg and loads the wrong shell.

wondering if anyone has successfully installed the nvidia drivers on Ubuntu server with Kodi, and what they did?