NVIDIA 595 Beta Driver Released with Better Linux Gaming Performance

NVIDIA announced the 595.45.04 Beta driver for Linux users in last week.

This is the first release in the 595 series that includes new extensions, profile, and features for better performances for Linux gaming.

First, the new driver added support VK_EXT_descriptor_heap extension, allows apps to store buffers, images directly into GPU-accessible memory, reducing reducing CPU overhead.

It also added VK_EXT_present_timing extension support, allowing apps to query detailed timing information about past presentations and specify a target time for future frames for smooth gaming and video playback experience.

As well, the 595.45.04 driver added support for DRI3 version 1.2, which features DMA Fences, a Linux kernel-level synchronization mechanism, that is crucial for preventing tearing and improving performance in modern Linux gaming environments.

During system suspend and resume, the driver needs to preserve the contents of video memory. When the open kernel modules are in use, this is handled automatically if NVreg_UseKernelSuspendNotifiers=1 is enabled. For the proprietary driver or if the previous variable disabled, it requires /proc/driver/nvidia/suspend interface for suspend and resume notifications.

Fix GPU hang and Xid errors in Black Myth: Wukong

Other features include new application profile – CudaNoStablePerfLimit – that allows CUDA-using apps to reach P0 PState, the highest power and performance level, and, nvidia-drm.ko modeset=1 parameter enabled by default which is essential for Wayland (default in GNOME and KDE Plasma) support.

NVIDIA 595.45.04 also raised the minimum requirements with Wayland 1.20, Xorg 1.17, glic 2.27, and fixed following issues:

• GPU hangs and Xid errors in Black Myth: Wukong.
• GPU hang NVIDIA Smooth Motion is enabled in applications that use VK_KHR_present_id2.
• Adaptive sync displays go blank when connected with an active USB-C-to-HDMI adapter.
• Vulkan swapchains to stop presenting new frames on X11.
• PowerMizer preferred mode dropdown menu in the nvidia-settings not function correctly on Wayland.

Get NVIDIA 595.45.04

For more about the new NVIDIA driver release, as well as the .run installer see the link below:

NVIDIA 595.45.04

It’s however NOT recommended to use the .run installer as it MAY break your system! And, Ubuntu at the moment does not support the 595 driver release.

source https://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2026/03/nvidia-595-beta-driver-released-with-better-linux-gaming-performance/