nvuv

What nvuv is

nvuv is a free Linux command-line utility for changing NVIDIA GPU power and clock behavior. It can set power limits, lock GPU or memory clock ranges, and apply offsets to either GPU or memory clocks. Use the `-i GPU_INDEX` option to target a particular card when more than one GPU is installed. The project describes nvuv as a thin wrapper around NVIDIA’s NVML library. Its indirect undervolting approach locks the GPU’s maximum clock and applies a positive clock offset; the project explains that NVIDIA does not expose direct voltage control on Linux. It says this technique can achieve roughly similar performance with lower voltage and power draw, with possible reductions in temperature and fan noise. Settings can be loaded from a TOML file, whose default location is `/etc/nvuv/nvuv.toml`. Applying, changing, or resetting GPU settings requires root privileges. Changes do not remain in effect after reboot, resume, or driver reload unless configuration is reapplied. A provided systemd service can perform that work at startup and after resume or driver reload. Download routes include GitHub releases and an Arch User Repository package. The maintainer is Pierre Dommerc, and the project uses Apache License 2.0 WITH Commons-Clause-1.0.

Who it suits

nvuv is for Linux users with NVIDIA GPUs who are comfortable using a command line and root privileges to tune power limits and clocks. It may suit users seeking indirect undervolting, provided they account for reapplying settings after reboot, resume, or driver reload.

Limits

GPU settings require root privileges and do not persist through reboot, resume, or driver reload unless a systemd service reapplies configuration. The tool does not provide direct voltage control.

Getting started

1. Visit https://github.com/doums/nvuv.
2. Choose a download route from GitHub releases or the Arch User Repository.
3. Install nvuv on a Linux system with an NVIDIA GPU.
4. Create or edit a TOML configuration file, using `/etc/nvuv/nvuv.toml` as the default path.
5. Run commands requiring root privileges to apply or change GPU settings.
6. Configure the provided systemd service if settings should be reapplied at startup, resume, or driver reload.

Verdict

Linux users tuning NVIDIA GPUs from the command line should consider nvuv for its power-limit, clock-range, and offset controls. Look elsewhere if you need direct voltage control or settings that persist without configuring the provided systemd service.