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nvcontrol

nvcontrol is a free, MIT-licensed NVIDIA GPU settings manager for Linux, designed for Wayland.

Place
#14 of 19
Score
5.7
nvcontrol's website

What nvcontrol is

nvcontrol is a free, MIT-licensed NVIDIA GPU settings manager for Linux, designed for Wayland. It has both a terminal dashboard and a graphical application, with controls for digital vibrance, display color, VRR/G-SYNC, HDR, overclocking, fans, and power management. The project lists KDE Plasma, GNOME, Hyprland, Sway, and Pop!_OS COSMIC as supported compositors. Listed GPUs include RTX 50, 40, 30, and 20 series and GTX 16 and 10 series, though support depends on hardware and drivers. Matching NVIDIA open modules and userland are required, and Linux kernel 6.6 or later is recommended. The driver guide names NVIDIA open driver 610 as the main target; users on 590 or earlier are directed to an older vibrance-compatible build. Read-only diagnostics cover CUDA, Ollama, local AI/ML workload fit, and environment setup. CLI tools can create diagnostics and support bundles, with options to redact paths and identifiers. Installation instructions cover Arch Linux, Fedora/Nobara, Pop!_OS, Debian/Ubuntu, and building from source. The README warns that experimental overclocking and voltage changes can cause instability or hardware damage.

Good

  • Free and MIT-licensed
  • Offers both terminal and GUI interfaces
  • Controls fan and power settings
  • Read-only diagnostics cover CUDA and Ollama

Watch out

  • Linux only
  • Matching NVIDIA open modules and userland are required
  • Kernel 6.6 or later is recommended
  • Experimental voltage changes may damage hardware

Who it suits

It suits Linux users with supported NVIDIA GPUs who want GPU controls in Wayland environments. Users should check driver and hardware compatibility before relying on a particular control.

Verdict

nvcontrol brings a broad set of NVIDIA controls and diagnostics to Linux Wayland, with both GUI and terminal options. Check its driver requirements, and treat experimental overclocking and voltage controls cautiously.

Plans and prices

From nvcontrol's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeLinux NVIDIA GPU control software; MIT-licensed

The facts

Each one read from nvcontrol's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

AI diagnostics
Read-only diagnostics cover CUDA, Ollama, local AI/ML workload fit, and environment setup.checked 4 Oct 2026
Compositors
It lists KDE Plasma, GNOME, Hyprland, Sway, and Pop!_OS COSMIC as supported compositors.checked 4 Oct 2026
Controls
It provides digital vibrance, display color controls, VRR/G-SYNC, HDR, overclocking, fan control, and power management.checked 4 Oct 2026
Distribution
Installation instructions cover Arch Linux, Fedora/Nobara, Pop!_OS, Debian/Ubuntu, and building from source.checked 4 Oct 2026
Driver compatibility
The driver guide identifies NVIDIA open driver 610 as the current primary target and directs users of 590 and earlier to an older vibrance-compatible build.checked 4 Oct 2026
Driver requirements
The README says matching NVIDIA open modules and userland are required and recommends Linux kernel 6.6 or later.checked 4 Oct 2026
Experimental controls
The README warns that overclocking and voltage modification are experimental and may cause instability or hardware damage.checked 4 Oct 2026
GPU support
The project lists RTX 50, 40, 30, and 20 series plus GTX 16 and 10 series, with support varying by driver and hardware.checked 4 Oct 2026
Interfaces
The project includes a terminal dashboard and a GUI application.checked 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
nvcontrol is an NVIDIA GPU settings manager for Linux designed for Wayland.checked 4 Oct 2026
Security and license
The repository provides the software under the MIT License, whose text says it is supplied without warranty.checked 4 Oct 2026
Support
The CLI provides diagnostics and support bundle workflows, including options to redact paths and identifiers.checked 4 Oct 2026

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