Arch Linux

TommyV6

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 17

nvidia zen kernel and nvidia driver

I`m not sure what to use.

Default kernel + standard nvidia driver:
extra/nvidia 570.86.16-7
    NVIDIA kernel modules
or:
Zen kernel + dkms nvidia driver:
extra/nvidia-dkms 570.86.16-2
    NVIDIA kernel modules - module sources

I got R9 9800x3d and RTX 3090 Ti.

I mainly play games with steam/proton.
I know that zen kernel does not mix with extra/nvidia.

mackin_cheese

Member

Registered: 2025-01-07

Posts: 477

Re: nvidia zen kernel and nvidia driver

It's really up to you. you can try them both to compare. but note that if you are going to try them both, then the nvidia driver that is recommended is nvidia-open-dkms. That is the recommended package when using mulitple kernels

V1del

Forum Moderator

Registered: 2012-10-16

Posts: 25,142

Re: nvidia zen kernel and nvidia driver

There's not going to be a noticable difference plainly from the nvidia packages, that's just a necessary rebuild for a different kernel. Whether the kernel fundamentally behaves different or noticeable is something you'll have to test and gauge yourself.

TommyV6

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 17

Re: nvidia zen kernel and nvidia driver

Ok thx.