nbd-vram Enables Nvidia GPU VRAM as Linux Swap Space
TL;DR. A new tool allows Nvidia GPU VRAM to function as swap space on Linux, augmenting system memory for demanding applications. - The nbd-vram daemon allocates VRAM via the CUDA driver API, exposing it as a block device using the NBD protocol. - This method bypasses limitations of Nvidia's P2P API on consumer GPUs, which typically restricts VRAM access for swap. - It provides a practical solution for laptops with fixed memory, effectively tripling addressable memory in some configurations.
- nbd-vram allows NVIDIA GPU VRAM to be used as system swap memory on Linux.
- The tool leverages the CUDA driver API and Network Block Device (NBD) protocol.
- It works on consumer GeForce GPUs, bypassing restrictions of NVIDIA's P2P API.
- The implementation avoids kernel module modifications, ensuring driver stability.
- This helps laptops with soldered RAM by expanding addressable memory with GPU VRAM.
Sources
- Use your Nvidia GPU's VRAM as swap space on Linux — github.com