Arch Linux's recent switch to the NVIDIA 590 driver has disrupted systems for users with older graphics cards, dropping support for Pascal and earlier architectures. The change pushes legacy drivers to the Arch User Repository, requiring manual fixes for affected hardware. Newer GPUs transition smoothly to open kernel modules.
Arch Linux, known for its rolling-release model and appeal to users seeking the latest software, has encountered issues with a recent NVIDIA driver update. The distribution adopted the NVIDIA 590 driver series, which eliminates support for Pascal-generation GPUs like the GTX 10xx series and older GTX 900 cards on Linux systems. This shift also moves users with RTX 20xx and newer cards to open kernel modules automatically.
Peter Jung, a package maintainer for Arch Linux, explained the rationale: NVIDIA's closed-source modules are not tested as thoroughly as the open kernel modules, which are now recommended. However, these open modules do not support hardware predating the RTX 20xx series, leaving owners of older cards in a bind. Upon updating, affected users report that the driver fails to load, resulting in a boot to the command-line interface without a graphical user interface.
To resolve this, Arch developers advise uninstalling existing NVIDIA packages such as nvidia, nvidia-lts, or nvidia-dkms, then installing the community-maintained nvidia-580xx-dkms from the Arch User Repository. This package retains the proprietary driver compatible with legacy GPUs. As an alternative, users can opt for the open-source nouveau driver, though it offers reduced performance compared to proprietary options.
The update affects a growing user base, including derivatives like Manjaro, EndeavourOS, and SteamOS, which have boosted Arch's popularity. While the transition aims to improve driver reliability, some observers suggest more preparation time could have eased the impact on legacy hardware users.
