My Experience with Nvidia Hardware on Linux: Surprising Results in 2021

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My Experience with Nvidia Hardware on Linux: Surprising Results in 2021

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. My Experience with Nvidia Hardware on Linux
  3. Using Nvidia Hardware for Gaming on Linux
  4. Recording and Encoding Content on Linux with Nvidia Hardware
  5. Desktop Environments and Nvidia Compatibility
  6. Screen Tearing and Vsync on Linux
  7. Proton: Gaming on Linux Made Easy
  8. Performance of Windows Games on Linux with Nvidia Hardware
  9. My Preferred Distributions and Desktop Environments
  10. Recording and Encoding Videos with Nvidia Hardware on Linux
  11. Conclusion

My Experience with Nvidia Hardware on Linux

🔹 Introduction

Since I started using Linux three years ago, I have had the opportunity to explore different distributions and desktop environments while utilizing my Nvidia GTX 1080 graphics card. In this article, I will share my experience and thoughts on using Nvidia hardware on Linux, specifically focusing on gaming, content encoding, desktop environment compatibility, screen tearing prevention, and more.

🔹 My Experience with Nvidia Hardware for Gaming on Linux

When I first switched from Windows to Linux, I was concerned about the compatibility and performance of my Nvidia GPU. However, contrary to what I had heard, I have never experienced crashes caused by using Nvidia hardware on Linux. While there are some drawbacks, such as screen tearing, overall, my experience with Nvidia on Linux has been relatively positive.

🔹 Recording and Encoding Content on Linux with Nvidia Hardware

Apart from gaming, I also use my GPU for recording and encoding content for my Channel. Thankfully, Nvidia's NVENC feature works flawlessly on Linux, allowing me to play games at 1080p 60fps while simultaneously encoding them at upscaled 1440p 60fps. If you are considering recording or streaming on Linux, NVENC is a must-have tool.

🔹 Desktop Environments and Nvidia Compatibility

Throughout my Linux journey, I have experimented with various distributions and desktop environments. While I have found GNOME to provide a solid experience with Nvidia hardware, KDE Plasma has been a train wreck. The frequent stuttering and window positioning issues make KDE Plasma unsuitable for my setup, despite its appealing features. Nevertheless, your mileage may vary depending on your hardware and software configuration.

🔹 Screen Tearing and Vsync on Linux

One of the challenges I encountered with Linux and Nvidia hardware is screen tearing. Unlike Windows, where Vsync is enabled by default, most Linux desktop environments do not support Vsync out of the box, causing screen tearing issues when launching full-screen applications. However, enabling Nvidia's post composition pipeline can effectively eliminate screen tearing across the entire operating system. Regardless of your chosen desktop environment, this configuration is essential for a tear-free experience.

🔹 Proton: Gaming on Linux Made Easy

I recently discovered Proton, which has Simplified the process of playing Windows games on Linux. This compatibility layer, developed by Valve, allows you to run your Steam library on Linux without the hassle of extensive configurations. My experience with Proton and gaming on Linux has been positive overall, offering solid performance and compatibility, except with games that utilize Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) or DirectX graphics APIs.

🔹 Performance of Windows Games on Linux with Nvidia Hardware

In terms of performance, most of my games in the Steam library run at a solid 1080p 60fps on Linux with Nvidia hardware. However, certain games that rely heavily on EAC or DirectX may exhibit significantly worse performance compared to Windows. Unfortunately, this is a limitation of the platform, and it is unlikely to be addressed in the near future. Nevertheless, the majority of games run smoothly and provide an enjoyable gaming experience on Linux.

🔹 My Preferred Distributions and Desktop Environments

While I have experimented with multiple distributions and desktop environments, I have found that sticking with Ubuntu-based distributions, such as Kubuntu and Ubuntu GNOME, yields the best Nvidia hardware compatibility. GNOME, in particular, offers fluid animations, excellent software compatibility, and minimal latency and stuttering issues. On the other HAND, KDE Plasma has proven to be problematic with Nvidia hardware, frequently causing application stuttering and window positioning quirks.

🔹 Recording and Encoding Videos with Nvidia Hardware on Linux

As Mentioned earlier, Nvidia's NVENC feature works seamlessly on Linux. This allows me to not only play games but also Record and encode footage for my channel without any significant impact on performance. With OBS Studio, I am able to record games at 1080p 60fps and simultaneously encode them at upscaled 1440p 60fps. Until an equally efficient alternative emerges, NVENC remains the go-to option for recording and streaming on Linux with Nvidia hardware.

🔹 Conclusion

In conclusion, my experience using Nvidia hardware on Linux has been relatively painless. While there are minor drawbacks such as screen tearing, these issues can be mitigated by configuring Nvidia's post composition pipeline. Overall, gaming, content encoding, and desktop usage with Nvidia on Linux have been smooth and satisfactory. Although individual experiences may vary, my journey with Nvidia on Linux has been mostly positive, making it a viable option for gamers and content creators alike. Feel free to share your own experiences in the comments below!

Highlights:

  • Nvidia hardware on Linux has been relatively painless for me.
  • Gaming on Linux with Nvidia hardware shows good performance, with exceptions for games using EAC or DirectX.
  • Nvidia's NVENC feature works flawlessly for recording and encoding content on Linux.
  • Certain desktop environments, such as GNOME, offer better compatibility with Nvidia hardware compared to KDE Plasma.
  • Screen tearing can be eliminated by enabling Nvidia's post composition pipeline.

FAQ

Q: Can I use Nvidia hardware for gaming on Linux? A: Yes, Nvidia hardware is fully supported on Linux for gaming purposes. Most games run smoothly, except for those using EAC or DirectX.

Q: Does Nvidia's NVENC feature work on Linux for recording and encoding content? A: Yes, Nvidia's NVENC feature works just as well on Linux as it does on Windows, making it an excellent option for recording and encoding videos.

Q: Which desktop environment is best for Nvidia hardware compatibility on Linux? A: While GNOME offers excellent compatibility, KDE Plasma may have performance issues and window positioning quirks with Nvidia hardware.

Q: How can I prevent screen tearing on Linux with Nvidia hardware? A: By enabling Nvidia's post composition pipeline, you can effectively eliminate screen tearing across the entire operating system.

Q: Are there any drawbacks to using Nvidia hardware on Linux? A: Some drawbacks include compatibility issues with certain games and desktop environments, as well as the need for manual configuration to prevent screen tearing.

Q: Is gaming on Linux with Nvidia hardware as good as on Windows? A: In most cases, gaming on Linux with Nvidia hardware provides a satisfying experience, barring a few limitations with specific games and APIs.

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