Understanding Linux Graphics Acceleration
When it comes to optimizing graphics performance on Linux, a deep understanding of the underlying graphics architecture and drivers is essential. Linux supports a wide range of graphics hardware, including GPUs from AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel, each with its own unique set of drivers and performance considerations.
AMD Graphics
For AMD graphics cards, the open-source RADV Vulkan driver and the AMDGPU kernel driver are crucial components. To get the best performance, you should ensure that you are using the latest version of Mesa, the open-source graphics library, and enable the ACO (AMD Compiler Optimization) feature. This can be done by setting the RADV_PERFTEST=aco environment variable.
Additionally, you can use the mesa_glthread=true environment variable to enable OpenGL threading, which can provide a noticeable performance boost in some games.
NVIDIA Graphics
NVIDIA’s proprietary graphics driver, available from the official NVIDIA website, is the recommended choice for getting the best performance from NVIDIA GPUs on Linux. Once you have the latest driver installed, you can use the following environment variables to optimize performance:
__GL_THREADED_OPTIMIZATION=1: Enables OpenGL threading, which can improve performance in some games.__GL_SHADER_DISK_CACHE=1: Enables a shader cache, which can reduce shader compilation times and improve overall performance.__GL_SHADER_DISK_CACHE_PATH=/path/to/location: Sets the location for the shader cache.
Intel Graphics
For Intel integrated graphics, the open-source i915 kernel driver and the corresponding Mesa drivers are the main components responsible for graphics acceleration. While Intel’s graphics performance is generally not as high as discrete GPUs, you can still optimize it by ensuring that you are using the latest stable kernel and Mesa versions.
Leveraging Feral Gamemode
Feral Gamemode is a powerful tool developed by the team behind the popular Feral Interactive game ports. This tool applies a set of system-wide optimizations when a game is launched, potentially improving performance and smoothness.
To use Feral Gamemode, you need to install the gamemode package, which is available in the repositories of most Linux distributions. Once installed, you can enable it in Lutris by selecting the “Enable feral gamemode” option under the “System Options” menu. For Steam, you can add gamemoderun %command% to the game’s launch options.
Exploring Gallium Nine
Gallium Nine is a special Gallium3D state tracker that provides better performance and compatibility for DirectX 9 games on Linux. It can be particularly useful for older or less-optimized games that struggle with other translation layers like DXVK.
To use Gallium Nine, you can install it using Winetricks or Protontricks and enable it by running the wine ninewinecfg command for 32-bit games or wine64 ninewinecfg for 64-bit games.
Leveraging Custom Proton Versions
Valve’s Proton, a compatibility layer based on Wine, is a crucial tool for running Windows games on Linux. However, you can often get better performance and compatibility by using custom Proton versions, such as Proton-GE or Proton-TKG.
These custom Proton versions are based on newer Wine releases and include additional patches and optimizations. To use them, you can download the top file from the respective GitHub repository and extract it into a folder like Proton-GE or Proton-TKG. Then, create a compatibilitytools.d folder in your Steam installation directory (typically ~/.steam/root/) and place the Proton folder inside. The custom Proton version should now be available in Steam and Lutris.
Harnessing Fsync and Esync
Fsync and Esync are Wine-related features that can help reduce the overhead of the Wine layer, leading to improved performance, especially in CPU-bound scenarios.
Fsync offers better performance than Esync, but it requires a Linux kernel that supports the feature. You can find instructions for enabling Fsync and installing the necessary kernels in the Fsync and Esync guide.
In Lutris, you can enable Esync in the runner options or add the WINEFSYNC=1 environment variable to use Fsync.
Optimizing with a Custom Kernel
Using a custom kernel with a performance-focused process scheduler, such as the PDS (Preemptive Desktop Scheduler) scheduler, can provide noticeable performance improvements, especially for users with lower-end CPUs or in CPU-heavy games.
For Arch-based distributions, you can install the linux-tkg-pds kernel from the Chaotic AUR repository. For Ubuntu-based distributions, the Liquorix kernel, which uses the MuQSS scheduler, can be a good option.
Choosing the Right Desktop Environment
The choice of desktop environment can also impact gaming performance on Linux. According to a comprehensive study, LXDE was found to be the fastest desktop environment, with XFCE (with the compositor disabled) coming in second.
While the differences may not be dramatic, opting for a lightweight desktop environment like XFCE or LXDE can provide a slight performance boost, especially on lower-end hardware. You can also disable desktop effects in Lutris to further improve performance.
Utilizing MangoHUD
MangoHUD is a powerful in-game performance monitoring tool that can help you identify and troubleshoot performance issues. It can display information such as CPU and GPU usage, temperatures, and frame rates, allowing you to pinpoint the bottlenecks in your system.
To install and use MangoHUD, follow the comprehensive guide available on the IT Fix blog.
Conclusion
Optimizing graphics performance on Linux for gaming and workloads requires a multi-faceted approach. By leveraging the right drivers, tools, and system configurations, you can unlock the full potential of your Linux system and enjoy a smooth and responsive experience, whether you’re gaming or running demanding applications.
Remember to experiment with the various techniques outlined in this article, as the optimal configuration may vary depending on your hardware and usage scenarios. With a little tinkering and experimentation, you’ll be able to achieve the best possible graphics performance on your Linux system.
For more in-depth IT insights and practical solutions, be sure to visit the IT Fix blog regularly.
