I'm currently using Arch Linux with a 4090 GPU and the nvidia-dkms drivers. I've heard that for newer cards, the open-dkms might be better—should I make the switch? What are the actual differences in performance that I might notice as an everyday user?
5 Answers
The open-source and proprietary drivers are both official NVIDIA options. However, since NVIDIA started pushing towards open-source GPU kernel modules with the Turing architecture, the open driver is recommended for newer cards like the 20xx series and up. If you're looking for stability and don't mind missing some performance tweaks, the open driver might be the way to go.
I had to initially go with the proprietary driver when the 5090's released to get proper functionality. The 4090 should perform decently on either, but the newer ones are shifting towards full support with the open-source drivers as they've improved recently.
Stick with the proprietary drivers if you can set them up correctly. They tend to deliver better performance, especially for gaming. What have you got set up so far? Do you have a specific guide you followed? Also, what applications or games are you expecting to use? That's gonna help decide what's best for you!
Yeah, it’s often recommended to go for proprietary when gaming. Users have mentioned noticeable performance gains! Keep in mind, though, that if you’re doing more casual tasks or work, the open driver can be totally fine too.
If you’re into gaming, using the proprietary drivers usually translates into better performance. Many people have noticed significant boosts in frame rates and stability. Just keep in mind that the level of performance you’ll gain really depends on your specific setup and what games you're playing!
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