GPU & Sunshine Config

GPU Configuration

NVIDIA Persistence Mode


Status	Enabled (set Feb 2026 to fix 30fps idle issue)
Service	`nvidia-persistenced`
Override	`/etc/systemd/system/nvidia-persistenced.service.d/override.conf`
Verify	`nvidia-smi -q \| grep "Persistence Mode"` — should show `Enabled`
Manual enable	`sudo nvidia-smi -pm 1`

The stock service at /usr/lib/systemd/system/nvidia-persistenced.service has --no-persistence-mode which defeats the purpose. Override removes that flag.

Known Issue: 30fps after idle

Symptom: Sunshine drops to 30fps after not streaming for a while
Root cause: Without persistence mode, GPU drops to P8 (low power) when idle, throttling NVENC encoder
Fix applied:
1. Enabled persistence mode (nvidia-smi -pm 1)
2. Created systemd override to persist across reboots
3. Disabled DPMS in xorg.conf and via xset -dpms
If it recurs: check nvidia-smi for P-state (should not be P8) and persistence mode status

X11 / Display Configuration

xorg.conf


Path	`/etc/X11/xorg.conf`
Display	Headless virtual (no physical monitor)
Connected monitor	`DP-0` (virtual)
DPMS	Disabled (`Option "DPMS" "false"`)
DPI	96x96
ModeValidation	Permissive (AllowNonEdidModes, NoVirtualSizeCheck, etc.)

Available Resolutions (MetaModes)

Resolution	Refresh	Use Case
3024x1964	60Hz	MacBook Pro 14” native (with notch)
3024x1890	60Hz	MacBook Pro 14” native (no notch)
3440x1440	60Hz	Ultrawide
3840x2160	60Hz	4K
2560x1440	60Hz	1440p
1920x1080	120Hz	1080p high refresh
1920x1080	60Hz	1080p standard
1600x900	60Hz	Low-res fallback

DPMS / Screen Blanking

DPMS disabled (both in xorg.conf and at runtime via xset -dpms)
Screen saver off (xset s off)
Prevents GPU from downclocking when idle

GDM


Autologin	Enabled (user: zeul)
Wayland	Disabled (X11 only for NVIDIA KMS capture)
Config	`/etc/gdm3/custom.conf`

Sunshine Configuration

Service


Type	systemd user service (`sunshine.service`)
Auto-start	On graphical session
Override	`~/.config/systemd/user/sunshine.service.d/override.conf`
Restart	`Restart=always`, `RestartSec=5`

Config (`~/.config/sunshine/sunshine.conf`)

nvenc_preset = 1
nvenc_twopass = disabled
fec_percentage = 10
origin_web_ui_allowed = wan
qp = 10

Resolution Auto-Switch


Script	`~/set-resolution.sh`
Trigger	Sunshine prep-cmd on stream start
Env vars	`SUNSHINE_CLIENT_WIDTH` / `SUNSHINE_CLIENT_HEIGHT`
Method	`nvidia-settings -a CurrentMetaMode`
Log	`/tmp/sunshine-res.log`

Web UI

https://localhost:47990 (or via Tailscale IP). Remote access enabled (origin_web_ui_allowed = wan).

Quick Reference

# GPU status
nvidia-smi

# Display config
DISPLAY=:0 xrandr

# Sunshine logs
journalctl --user -u sunshine -n 50

# Restart Sunshine
systemctl --user restart sunshine

# DPMS status
DISPLAY=:0 xset q | grep -A3 DPMS