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nvcontrol
What it is
nvcontrol is free, MIT-licensed Linux software for managing NVIDIA GPU settings in Wayland environments. It offers both a terminal dashboard and a graphical application. Controls include digital vibrance, display color, VRR/G-SYNC, HDR, fan curves, power limits, overclocking, and power management. Supported compositor listings include KDE Plasma, GNOME, Hyprland, Sway, and Pop!_OS COSMIC. Read-only diagnostics cover CUDA, Ollama, local AI and machine-learning workload fit, and environment setup. The project lists RTX 50, 40, 30, and 20 series GPUs plus GTX 16 and 10 series, with compatibility dependent on hardware and drivers. Matching NVIDIA open modules and userland are required, and Linux kernel 6.6 or later is recommended. Driver guidance targets NVIDIA open driver 610; users on 590 or earlier are directed to an older compatible build.
For and against
For
- Free and MIT-licensed
- GUI and terminal interfaces
- Fan, power, color, and HDR controls
- Read-only CUDA and AI diagnostics
- Support-bundle redaction options
Against
- Requires NVIDIA open modules and userland
- Linux kernel 6.6 or later recommended
- Compatibility varies by driver and hardware
- Experimental tuning may damage hardware
The verdict
nvcontrol provides broad NVIDIA controls and diagnostics for Linux Wayland setups without a software charge. Installation and driver requirements matter, and experimental overclocking or voltage changes carry the risks stated by the project.
Who it suits
It suits Linux users with supported NVIDIA hardware who want Wayland GPU controls through a GUI or terminal. It also fits users needing diagnostic and support-bundle workflows.
Plans and prices
Free
Linux NVIDIA GPU control software; MIT-licensed
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- AI diagnostics
- Read-only diagnostics cover CUDA, Ollama, local AI/ML workload fit, and environment setup.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compositors
- It lists KDE Plasma, GNOME, Hyprland, Sway, and Pop!_OS COSMIC as supported compositors.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Controls
- It provides digital vibrance, display color controls, VRR/G-SYNC, HDR, overclocking, fan control, and power management.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- Installation instructions cover Arch Linux, Fedora/Nobara, Pop!_OS, Debian/Ubuntu, and building from source.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Driver requirements
- The README says matching NVIDIA open modules and userland are required and recommends Linux kernel 6.6 or later.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Experimental controls
- The README warns that overclocking and voltage modification are experimental and may cause instability or hardware damage.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- The project includes a terminal dashboard and a GUI application.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- nvcontrol is an NVIDIA GPU settings manager for Linux designed for Wayland.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security and license
- The repository provides the software under the MIT License, whose text says it is supplied without warranty.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The CLI provides diagnostics and support bundle workflows, including options to redact paths and identifiers.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
