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SPECIFICTION
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nvcontrol

github.com

Free plan Linux
Visit github.com
Spec score 7.1 #15 of 19 in GPU Overclocking Software

What it is

nvcontrol is a free, open-source NVIDIA GPU settings manager for Linux designed for Wayland. It offers both a terminal dashboard and a GUI, 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. Read-only diagnostics cover CUDA, Ollama, local AI/ML workload fit, and environment setup; CLI workflows can create support bundles with options to redact paths and identifiers. Listed GPU families are RTX 50, 40, 30, and 20 series, plus GTX 16 and 10 series, with support depending on drivers and hardware. Matching NVIDIA open modules and userland are required, and Linux kernel 6.6 or later is recommended. The driver guide identifies NVIDIA open driver 610 as its primary target and directs users of 590 and earlier to an older vibrance-compatible build. Installation instructions cover Arch Linux, Fedora/Nobara, Pop!_OS, Debian/Ubuntu, and source builds. Overclocking and voltage modification are experimental and may cause instability or hardware damage.

Spec sheet

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

Plans and prices

Free Free Linux NVIDIA GPU control software; MIT-licensed Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every nvcontrol plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Includes both a terminal dashboard and GUI
  • Controls fans, power, color, and VRR/G-SYNC
  • Lists several Linux compositors and GPU families
  • Support bundles can redact paths and identifiers

Limits

  • Requires matching NVIDIA open modules and userland
  • Kernel 6.6 or later is recommended
  • Support varies by driver and hardware
  • Experimental tuning may destabilize or damage hardware

Who it suits

nvcontrol is for Linux users with NVIDIA GPUs who want settings controls in Wayland environments. Its diagnostics may also help users checking CUDA, Ollama, or local AI/ML workload fit.

Verdict

nvcontrol offers a broad set of NVIDIA controls and diagnostics on Linux, with several installation routes. Check driver and hardware compatibility first, and treat experimental overclocking and voltage changes cautiously.

Where Specifiction places it

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