diff --git a/src/config/graphical-session/graphics-drivers/nvidia.md b/src/config/graphical-session/graphics-drivers/nvidia.md index a75f03dc0..29a7a7b96 100644 --- a/src/config/graphical-session/graphics-drivers/nvidia.md +++ b/src/config/graphical-session/graphics-drivers/nvidia.md @@ -7,23 +7,43 @@ some documentation provided by Nvidia. It tends to perform well on older hardware, and is required to use a large portion of the available Wayland compositors. -At the time of writing, graphics cards starting with second generation Maxwell -(GTX 9xx) are unable to perform at their full potential with `nouveau`. This is -because the `linux-firmware` collection is missing signed firmware blobs needed -to reclock these cards past their boot frequencies. - -To use `nouveau` with Wayland, you only need the `mesa-dri` package, which -provides the accelerated OpenGL driver. On X11, you also need an appropriate -Xorg driver. You can either install `xf86-video-nouveau` or use the universal -`modesetting` driver bundled with Xorg (this is the only option on Tegra based -ARM boards). The former can make use of GPU-specific 2D acceleration paths, -which is primarily useful on older cards with specialized fixed function -hardware (the `modesetting` driver will accelerate 2D using OpenGL via GLAMOR). -When in doubt, it's a good idea to try `xf86-video-nouveau` first. - -Note: `xf86-video-nouveau` is usually installed by default if you use the `xorg` -metapackage. If you use `xorg-minimal`, you will need to install it manually, -either directly or through `xorg-video-drivers`. +### OpenGL + +The accelerated OpenGL driver is provided by `mesa-dri`. This is a dependency of +the `xorg` metapackage, but must be manually installed when using `xorg-minimal` +or Wayland. + +### Vulkan + +**Warning**: The NVK driver is relatively new and may be unstable and/or +underperformant. Expect instability on cards below Turing (GTX 16xx). + +Cards starting with Kepler (GTX 6xx) are supported by the Vulkan nouveau driver. +Install `vulkan-loader` and `mesa-vulkan-nouveau`. + +### Xorg + +The `xorg` metapackage pulls in the `xf86-video-nouveau` video driver. This will +need to be manually installed if using `xorg-minimal`. You can also use the +universal `modesetting` driver bundled with Xorg (this is the only option on +Tegra based ARM boards). + +The former can make use of card-specific 2D acceleration paths, which is +primarily useful on older cards with specialized fixed function hardware (the +`modesetting` driver will accelerate 2D using OpenGL via GLAMOR). When in doubt, +it's a good idea to try `xf86-video-nouveau` first. + +### Reclocking + +At the time of writing, only first generation Maxwell, Kepler, and some Tesla +cards support manual reclocking. Cards past Turing (GTX 16xx) support automatic +reclocking. + +Graphics cards starting with second generation Maxwell (GTX 9xx) do not support +reclocking because the `linux-firmware` collection is missing signed firmware +blobs needed to reclock these cards past their boot frequencies. + +Manual reclocking is available in `/sys/kernel/debug/dri/0/pstate`. ## nvidia (Proprietary Driver)