This article is a guide to help GeForce NOW Premium members set up their Linux PC for the best streaming experience.
For other platforms, please view these other guides:
For other platforms, please view these other guides:
- Windows: https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5223
- macOS https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5225
- SHIELD https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5226
- Android https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5227
- Chromebook https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5397
- Smart TV https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5410
NOTE: This is a BETA Experience
Please reference the following knowledgebase articles for known issues on Linux:
- The GeForce NOW app does not launch on Linux. What can I do?
- How can I troubleshoot GeForce NOW installation issues on Linux?
- I am using the GeForce NOW native Linux app and nothing happens after clicking the “GET IN” button while attempting GeForce NOW login. How do I fix this?
- When streaming on the GeForce NOW native Linux app, I am not seeing the proper streaming resolution while in balanced mode. How do I fix this?
- I am using an NVIDIA GPU and I see screen tearing during streaming on GeForce NOW while using a Linux system. What can I do to avoid this?
Regional Availability
Before you get started, make sure to check the Service status website to ensure GeForce NOW premium memberships are available in your region. Note that we also require your latency to be less than 80ms from an NVIDIA data center, but we recommend less than 40ms. Please make sure you have run our in-app network test to measure your latency. We do not recommend using Speedtest, or other internet speed test services, as they do not test your speed to our data centers.
Before you get started, make sure to check the Service status website to ensure GeForce NOW premium memberships are available in your region. Note that we also require your latency to be less than 80ms from an NVIDIA data center, but we recommend less than 40ms. Please make sure you have run our in-app network test to measure your latency. We do not recommend using Speedtest, or other internet speed test services, as they do not test your speed to our data centers.
Internet Speed Requirements
GeForce NOW requires at least:
- 65 Mbps for 5K resolutions at 120 FPS (e.g. 5120x2180)
- 55 Mbps for QHD & FHD resolutions at 240 & 360 FPS (e.g. 2560x1440 or 1920x1080)
- 45 Mbps for 4K resolutions at 120 FPS (i.e. 3840x2160)
- 35 Mbps for UW QHD & QHD resolutions at 120 FPS (i.e. 3840x1440 or 2560x1440)
- 35 Mbps for FHD resolutions at 240 FPS (i.e. 1920x1080)
- 25 Mbps for FHD resolutions at 60 FPS
- 15 Mbps for HD resolutions at 60 FPS
We also recommend a hardwired Ethernet connection, or a router with a 5 GHz WiFi connection.
Hardware Requirements
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Feature Limitations on Linux
The following GeForce NOW features are not currently available on the native linux app:
The following GeForce NOW features are not currently available on the native linux app:
- HDR
- Racing Wheels & Flight Controls/HOTAs
- YUV444 is supported only on NVIDIA GPUs starting with NVIDIA Turing onwards
- AV1 is not supported on the Linux platform
- Cloud G-Sync / VRR
- Surround Sound
- AI Scaling
- Video Recording/Instant Reply
GeForce NOW Streaming Settings
You have the option of adjusting your streaming quality settings from the GeForce NOW menu. To access these settings, launch the app and go to Settings > Streaming Quality.
Balanced mode
The built-in network test will automatically detect the best streaming resolution, based on your device hardware and network environment. NOTE: 5K, 4K, UW QHD, and QHD resolutions streaming at 120 FPS or any resolution at 240 or 360 FPS requires a wired Ethernet connection to work in balanced mode. If the network test determines that your connection is unable to maintain streaming at your display’s resolution, it may automatically adjust to lower streaming settings.
Cinematic mode
Cinematic Quality Streaming (CQS) introduces several features that noticeably improve graphics fidelity and enhance your visual experience by prioritizing image quality above all else.
Competitive mode / Reflex Streaming Mode
Select this option to turn on Reflex mode and enable game rendering and streaming at up to 360 FPS for competitive gamers who demand responsive and smooth visuals. For the best experience, pair this mode with:
You have the option of adjusting your streaming quality settings from the GeForce NOW menu. To access these settings, launch the app and go to Settings > Streaming Quality.
Balanced mode
The built-in network test will automatically detect the best streaming resolution, based on your device hardware and network environment. NOTE: 5K, 4K, UW QHD, and QHD resolutions streaming at 120 FPS or any resolution at 240 or 360 FPS requires a wired Ethernet connection to work in balanced mode. If the network test determines that your connection is unable to maintain streaming at your display’s resolution, it may automatically adjust to lower streaming settings.
Cinematic mode
Cinematic Quality Streaming (CQS) introduces several features that noticeably improve graphics fidelity and enhance your visual experience by prioritizing image quality above all else.
Competitive mode / Reflex Streaming Mode
Select this option to turn on Reflex mode and enable game rendering and streaming at up to 360 FPS for competitive gamers who demand responsive and smooth visuals. For the best experience, pair this mode with:
- 3600Hz or 240Hz or ultra high refresh rate NVIDIA G-Sync or G-Sync compatible monitor which will vary the rendering and streaming rate to your display. If you are using a GeForce GPU, you should also update your GeForce display drivers to 528.02 (or later) and enable G-Sync from the NVIDIA control panel.
- Select a Reflex enabled game by using the Search Filter => “Feature” => “Reflex” when selecting a game to play in the GeForce NOW app.
- Windows PC that meets the minimum requirements (see above “Hardware Requirements”).
- A wired Ethernet connection with at least 35 Mbps download speed.
Custom mode
If you wish to override the automatically detected streaming settings, or to enable 120/240/360 FPS streaming on a Wi-Fi network, you can do so by adjusting values in Custom mode:
If you wish to override the automatically detected streaming settings, or to enable 120/240/360 FPS streaming on a Wi-Fi network, you can do so by adjusting values in Custom mode:
- Max bit rate. We recommend Auto, but you can select whatever value your network can support.
- Resolution. This should match the maximum allowed by your monitor or notebook, but make sure it’s set to your desired resolution. Some resolutions will not be visible if your device does not meet the hardware requirements.
- Frame rate. You will need to set this to 120 FPS if you wish to see the full benefit from your Ultimate membership on 120Hz or faster refresh rate monitors or notebooks. We recommend users with 60Hz monitors set the streaming frame rate to 60 FPS and Vsync to Adaptive. Setting the streaming frame rate to 120 FPS can reduce latency, but will result in tearing on screen. If you wish to use the new Reflex mode, set this to 240 FPS.
- VSync. We recommend Adaptive for the best latency and smoothest streaming experience. You can try turning Vsync off to achieve the lowest latency, but you may experience some video tearing during gameplay.
- VRR Display. This setting will enable Cloud G-SYNC technology to minimize stutter and tearing when using a variable refresh rate monitor and supported device. Learn more here.
- Reflex. Select this option to turn on Reflex 360 FPS streaming mode and enable game rendering and streaming at up to 240 FPS for competitive gamers who demand responsive and smooth visuals. For the best experience, pair this mode with a compatible monitor and a Reflex supported game.
Customized In-Game Graphics Settings
NVIDIA has optimized our most popular games for streaming at all GeForce NOW streaming resolutions. For these games, we automatically set the best in-game graphics settings. You should not need to change any settings in-game to get the best experience.
NVIDIA has optimized our most popular games for streaming at all GeForce NOW streaming resolutions. For these games, we automatically set the best in-game graphics settings. You should not need to change any settings in-game to get the best experience.
However, you are free to change these settings if you feel doing so provides you with a better streaming experience. We have provided a feature that lets you save your own in-game graphics settings for each game. If you disable it, our recommended values will be applied.
NOTE: this settings will apply in-game settings across ALL GeForce NOW devices used with your NVIDIA account.
