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I made the switch. It’s fantastic. Pop with the pre-packaged Nvidia drivers. Other than Warzone and Tarkov (for which I keep a separate drive with Win10), the

I made the switch. It’s fantastic. Pop with the pre-packaged Nvidia drivers. Other than Warzone and Tarkov (for which I keep a separate drive with Win10), the only things I haven’t quite managed to get sorted yet are (i) a convenient system-wide replacement for the frame limiter in RTSS, and (ii) relatedly, proper frame-pacing when streaming using Sunshine. Also, Steam seems to have a weird and widespread bug where if you use Big Screen, exit to the desktop mode, then launch BS again, you get like 5fps in the BS front-end itself (after launching a game, it’s fine). The workaround is to just kill the client when you exit Big Screen (usually when your gaming is done anyway). Really happy I made the switch and fully expect those niggles to get sorted (or my aptitude to improve) in due course. Windows has been shit for a while but recently it’s really crossed over into unbelievably shit.

juandemarco 2y ago
MangoHUD should solve your frame limiting needs, and you can even set multiple limits and switch between them!
- darkteflon 2y ago
  Yes I use MangoHUD and it’s pretty good! It’s not quite as seamless as RTSS, though. MH is a bit fussy about which graphics API you’re using, and can’t be applied system-wide (afaik) without going through that 3rd party (open-source) UI. Plus, even when it’s applied and working, it doesn’t seem to solve my Sunshine frame-pacing issues, which for me is the main use case (the physically attached monitor is VRR so I don’t need limiting locally). Great project though! I think I’m also a bit spoiled by the Steam Deck, where it’s so easy to set and change custom limits. I kind of just want that, for Pop, ha.
  - juandemarco 2y ago
    I've applied it system wide by setting `MANGOHUD=1` inside `/etc/environment`, which might be a little bit excessive but it works for me. You can also set hotkeys to toggle the Hud and the frame rate limits within ~/.config/MangoHud/MangoHud.conf, but I think there is a GUI tool that does it for you. As for the frame pacing, try with the beta NVidia drivers (v555) and Wayland, though I don't use Sunshine so I'm not sure if it'll help.
    - darkteflon 2y ago
      Thanks for the tips! I’ve had one eye on Wayland, but with all the reports of trouble with Nvidia, and the upcoming (imminent?) transition to Cosmic for Pop, I figured I’d hold off - especially since I’m streaming less than I used to and playing more 90hz indies on the Steam Deck OLED.
      - juandemarco 2y ago
        The latest driver makes Wayland usable on NVidia, as long as you use an up to date shell and the latest xwayland version, I've been using it since it came out and it's been great, games are much more smooth and the constant microstutter I'd been having with X is gone. Check out if these updates are all available on Pop, if they are give them a try!
        darkteflon 2y ago
        That’s excellent - thanks! I will check that out this weekend for sure. I might even spend some time getting to the bottom of when and how Cosmic is going to be rolled out, and whether it matters if you’re coming from X or Wayland. If it looks like it’s going to be pretty seamless, I’ll give Wayland a try in the interim too!
- Zambyte 2y ago
  Huh, I didn't even realize MangoHUD can do frame limiting. I've always just used gamescope[0] for that. The latter is probably overkill if all you want to do is limit framerate though. [0] https://github.com/ValveSoftware/gamescope https://github.com/ValveSoftware/gamescope
  - juandemarco 2y ago
    Gamescope is great but the fact that you can set multiple limits and switch between them makes me prefer MangoHUD, even though I also sometimes use gamescope (with Nvidia my experience with it has been a little bit hit or miss). This is what I have in my MangoHud.conf: fps_limit_method=late toggle_fps_limit=Shift_R+slash show_fps_limit fps_limit=0,45,60,90,120,240
KronisLV 2y ago
> a convenient system-wide replacement for the frame limiter in RTSS My budget gaming PC is still on Windows and RTSS is a lifesaver: I couldn't stream or record some games with my Intel Arc A580 otherwise, since titles that use DX11 or older rendering technologies typically have worse performance than the more recent ones, ergo I have to stream/record at 30 and cap the framerate anywhere between 30-60 depending on the title, otherwise things get unstable. Of course, it's not ideal, but is at least workable. A bit odd that the card struggles with games like Ghost Recon Wildlands (DX11, 2017), but not Ghost Recon Breakpoint (Vulkan, 2019) or ones that use DX12 etc. Either that, or when there's a title that's badly coded and doesn't lock framerate properly to the screen refresh rate. Aside from that, around 90% of the 500ish Steam games I have would actually run on Linux (various indie titles, mostly), at least according to ProtonDB: https://www.protondb.com https://www.protondb.com which is pretty nice to see, except for the fact that last I checked something like GOG doesn't run on Linux natively, though thankfully something like Lutris exists.
- Gormo 2y ago
  > that last I checked something like GOG doesn't run on Linux natively GOG absolutely does offer native Linux games.
  - KronisLV 2y ago
    Their own launcher doesn’t seem to have a Linux version, only Windows and Mac: https://www.gog.com/galaxy https://www.gog.com/galaxy That’s why people seem to recommend Lutris or some other alternatives to access the actual library.
    - ekianjo 2y ago
      you have FOSS minigalaxy client as well as HeroicLauncher that support GOG too.
    - lupusreal 2y ago
      They have a launcher?? I've been buying games from them for years and didn't know that..
Macha 2y ago
Similarly, my Windows 10 install on my primary PC is basically a Destiny 2 launcher at this point
kyriakos 2y ago
I recently bought a Lenovo Legion with RTX4070 I still haven't managed to get Nvidia it working under Linux (the moment I open a browser or anything that uses the GPU extensively things go bad) Disclaimer I am not very familiar with Linux for Desktop - but to me this is an indication that we are not yet in the "just works" state for desktop linux.
- darkteflon 2y ago
  Yeah choice of distro and your particular hardware combo are still a factor, unfortunately. Not super difficult to boot it up and have a poke around though, see if it sticks. Maybe try another distro?
  - kyriakos 2y ago
    I tried Ubuntu and then Pop_OS which seemed more promising but ended up not working either. I'm open to any other suggestions, prefer Debian based distros which I have more experience with from server side.
    - darkteflon 2y ago
      Yeah I came from an Ubuntu background too. Mint, perhaps? Honestly though if I were going to try anything else at this point it would be Fedora I think. So many good reports. But I’m far from knowledgeable on this stuff - I’m sure others will have better answers, or advice on how to debug your current install.
    - alje 2y ago
      Pop!_OS should definitely work. Just check the NVIDIA drivers, that you are on 550 version
- 9Ljdg6p8ZSzejt 2y ago
  I would open another TTY to run the nvidia-bug-report.sh when you experience the GPU intensive issues. I recently had a very minute hard to spot problem on why I couldn't get my GPU working and the Generix on the Nvidia Forums help me (and so many others) solve their issues almost immediately. Could be worth a shot.
w8vY7ER 2y ago
sounds awesome, honestly. maybe consider retiring “niggle” from the lexicon
- mhb 2y ago
  Don't stop there. Any word starting with an "n" can be eliminated.
  - consf 2y ago
    So this sentence would not be able to exist... "Nice neighbors nurture nature, noting notable nuances nightly".
    - mhb 2y ago
      Of course it would. And it could be shortened to 4 x n-word, 4 x n-word.
      - consf 2y ago
        [dead]
- CalRobert 2y ago
  If anyone else was curious https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/niggle https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/niggle """ Etymology First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely borrowed from dialectal Norwegian nigla (“to be stingy, to busy oneself with trifles”), ultimately from Old Norse hnøggr (“stingy; miserly”), related to Old English hnēaw (“stingy; niggardly”). More at niggard. """ Niggard is unrelated to the racial slur we're thinking of but in fairness I can understand how it would raise eyebrows.
  - ctoth 2y ago
    I was also curious. If you really wanna go down the rabbit hole: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1557349 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1557349 History certainly loves to rhyme.

juandemarco 2y ago

MangoHUD should solve your frame limiting needs, and you can even set multiple limits and switch between them!

darkteflon 2y ago
Yes I use MangoHUD and it’s pretty good! It’s not quite as seamless as RTSS, though. MH is a bit fussy about which graphics API you’re using, and can’t be applied system-wide (afaik) without going through that 3rd party (open-source) UI. Plus, even when it’s applied and working, it doesn’t seem to solve my Sunshine frame-pacing issues, which for me is the main use case (the physically attached monitor is VRR so I don’t need limiting locally). Great project though! I think I’m also a bit spoiled by the Steam Deck, where it’s so easy to set and change custom limits. I kind of just want that, for Pop, ha.
- juandemarco 2y ago
  I've applied it system wide by setting `MANGOHUD=1` inside `/etc/environment`, which might be a little bit excessive but it works for me. You can also set hotkeys to toggle the Hud and the frame rate limits within ~/.config/MangoHud/MangoHud.conf, but I think there is a GUI tool that does it for you. As for the frame pacing, try with the beta NVidia drivers (v555) and Wayland, though I don't use Sunshine so I'm not sure if it'll help.
  - darkteflon 2y ago
    Thanks for the tips! I’ve had one eye on Wayland, but with all the reports of trouble with Nvidia, and the upcoming (imminent?) transition to Cosmic for Pop, I figured I’d hold off - especially since I’m streaming less than I used to and playing more 90hz indies on the Steam Deck OLED.
    - juandemarco 2y ago
      The latest driver makes Wayland usable on NVidia, as long as you use an up to date shell and the latest xwayland version, I've been using it since it came out and it's been great, games are much more smooth and the constant microstutter I'd been having with X is gone. Check out if these updates are all available on Pop, if they are give them a try!
      - darkteflon 2y ago
        That’s excellent - thanks! I will check that out this weekend for sure. I might even spend some time getting to the bottom of when and how Cosmic is going to be rolled out, and whether it matters if you’re coming from X or Wayland. If it looks like it’s going to be pretty seamless, I’ll give Wayland a try in the interim too!
Zambyte 2y ago
Huh, I didn't even realize MangoHUD can do frame limiting. I've always just used gamescope[0] for that. The latter is probably overkill if all you want to do is limit framerate though. [0] https://github.com/ValveSoftware/gamescope https://github.com/ValveSoftware/gamescope
- juandemarco 2y ago
  Gamescope is great but the fact that you can set multiple limits and switch between them makes me prefer MangoHUD, even though I also sometimes use gamescope (with Nvidia my experience with it has been a little bit hit or miss). This is what I have in my MangoHud.conf: fps_limit_method=late toggle_fps_limit=Shift_R+slash show_fps_limit fps_limit=0,45,60,90,120,240

KronisLV 2y ago

> a convenient system-wide replacement for the frame limiter in RTSS My budget gaming PC is still on Windows and RTSS is a lifesaver: I couldn't stream or record some games with my Intel Arc A580 otherwise, since titles that use DX11 or older rendering technologies typically have worse performance than the more recent ones, ergo I have to stream/record at 30 and cap the framerate anywhere between 30-60 depending on the title, otherwise things get unstable. Of course, it's not ideal, but is at least workable. A bit odd that the card struggles with games like Ghost Recon Wildlands (DX11, 2017), but not Ghost Recon Breakpoint (Vulkan, 2019) or ones that use DX12 etc. Either that, or when there's a title that's badly coded and doesn't lock framerate properly to the screen refresh rate. Aside from that, around 90% of the 500ish Steam games I have would actually run on Linux (various indie titles, mostly), at least according to ProtonDB: https://www.protondb.com https://www.protondb.com which is pretty nice to see, except for the fact that last I checked something like GOG doesn't run on Linux natively, though thankfully something like Lutris exists.

Gormo 2y ago
> that last I checked something like GOG doesn't run on Linux natively GOG absolutely does offer native Linux games.
- KronisLV 2y ago
  Their own launcher doesn’t seem to have a Linux version, only Windows and Mac: https://www.gog.com/galaxy https://www.gog.com/galaxy That’s why people seem to recommend Lutris or some other alternatives to access the actual library.
  - ekianjo 2y ago
    you have FOSS minigalaxy client as well as HeroicLauncher that support GOG too.
  - lupusreal 2y ago
    They have a launcher?? I've been buying games from them for years and didn't know that..

Macha 2y ago

Similarly, my Windows 10 install on my primary PC is basically a Destiny 2 launcher at this point

kyriakos 2y ago

I recently bought a Lenovo Legion with RTX4070 I still haven't managed to get Nvidia it working under Linux (the moment I open a browser or anything that uses the GPU extensively things go bad) Disclaimer I am not very familiar with Linux for Desktop - but to me this is an indication that we are not yet in the "just works" state for desktop linux.

darkteflon 2y ago
Yeah choice of distro and your particular hardware combo are still a factor, unfortunately. Not super difficult to boot it up and have a poke around though, see if it sticks. Maybe try another distro?
- kyriakos 2y ago
  I tried Ubuntu and then Pop_OS which seemed more promising but ended up not working either. I'm open to any other suggestions, prefer Debian based distros which I have more experience with from server side.
  - darkteflon 2y ago
    Yeah I came from an Ubuntu background too. Mint, perhaps? Honestly though if I were going to try anything else at this point it would be Fedora I think. So many good reports. But I’m far from knowledgeable on this stuff - I’m sure others will have better answers, or advice on how to debug your current install.
  - alje 2y ago
    Pop!_OS should definitely work. Just check the NVIDIA drivers, that you are on 550 version
9Ljdg6p8ZSzejt 2y ago
I would open another TTY to run the nvidia-bug-report.sh when you experience the GPU intensive issues. I recently had a very minute hard to spot problem on why I couldn't get my GPU working and the Generix on the Nvidia Forums help me (and so many others) solve their issues almost immediately. Could be worth a shot.

w8vY7ER 2y ago

sounds awesome, honestly. maybe consider retiring “niggle” from the lexicon

mhb 2y ago
Don't stop there. Any word starting with an "n" can be eliminated.
- consf 2y ago
  So this sentence would not be able to exist... "Nice neighbors nurture nature, noting notable nuances nightly".
  - mhb 2y ago
    Of course it would. And it could be shortened to 4 x n-word, 4 x n-word.
    - consf 2y ago
      [dead]
CalRobert 2y ago
If anyone else was curious https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/niggle https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/niggle """ Etymology First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely borrowed from dialectal Norwegian nigla (“to be stingy, to busy oneself with trifles”), ultimately from Old Norse hnøggr (“stingy; miserly”), related to Old English hnēaw (“stingy; niggardly”). More at niggard. """ Niggard is unrelated to the racial slur we're thinking of but in fairness I can understand how it would raise eyebrows.
- ctoth 2y ago
  I was also curious. If you really wanna go down the rabbit hole: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1557349 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1557349 History certainly loves to rhyme.