Linux Kernel Parameter Impact on Gaming Performance

Linux Gaming | Gaming Performance Impact of Kernel Parameters

Test to show the performance impact on gaming by enabling / disabling certain kernel options. From mitigation off on the kernel, to Nvidia parameters, to specific parameters affecting Steam. Plus other tweaks I have done over the past months.

Kernel Parameters (As of this video) + Comments from my Research:

Edit /etc/default/grub and replace the line that starts with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT with the following

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="mitigations=off split_lock_detect=off split_lock_mitigate=0 pci=nommconf nvidia-drm.modeset=1 intel_iommu=on iommu=pt intel_idle.max_cstate=1 nokaslr"

Then save, run sudo update-grub and reboot.

# pcie_aspm=off - Force enable / disable PCIe Active State Power Management. This was needed on 5.19. Not needed on 6.0+ or 6.1+ Forgot which one.

# mitigations=off - Not needed. This is a user desktop not the Pentagon.

# split_lock_detect=off - Avoid warnings on DMESG along with crashes on Steam for multiple games. Wait for Kernel 6.3 before disabling this.

# pci=nommconf - Avoid warnings on DMESG for new or old hardware not liking the way the access to their PCI Register Map is done.

# CONFIG_FB_EFI=y - Framebuffer on EFI for Nvidia and TTY. Kernel Build Time only.

# CONFIG_FB_VESA=y - Framebuffer on VESA for Nvidia and TTY. Kernel Build Time only.

# CONFIG_DRM_SIMPLEDRM=y - Just in case things go black when booting (Only happened once but who knows. Remember to disable when Kernel 6.3 is released). Kernel Build Time only.

# nvidia-drm.modeset=1 - So Prime related stuff and DRM access works as expected. Basically initialized the Nvidia card at boot instead of waiting for userspace.

# intel_iommu=on - So that SR-IOV works properly

# iommu=pt - Enable IOMMU Pass-Through (For Performance)

# intel_idle.max_cstate=1 - Limit C State to Max of 1. Looks like C3 or C5/7 gives a bunch of random issues and lock ups. Wait till Kernel 6.3 before disabling this.

# nokaslr - Disable Kernel Randomization (Looks like it affects XMP Stability) + Looks like QEMU Debugging is not crazy afterwards


OS: Ubuntu 22.10
MOBO: Asus Maximus Z790 Hero
VIDEO: Zotac Nvidia RTX 4090 AMP Extreme AIRO
CPU: Intel i9 13900k
RAM: g.skill 128GB Trident Z5 DDR5 6000Mhz
SSD: WD SN850x 2TB
OBS Setup: 4K + 60fps + NVENC x264