Problem - VRAM Issues on Linux

[ycleptjah]

Hello peeps,

I've been trying my hand at multiboxing on Linux recently. For reference, I'm running Linux Mint with XFCE with compositing disabled. I have Everquest running stable enough, but I can't multibox for too long as my VRAM usage creeps up throughout the day and eventually crashes the session. I have an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER with 8 GB VRAM. I have everything on maximum potato mode...no texture cache, no advanced models, clip plane down, particle effects off, everything I could think of. Not even playing at full resolution. VRAM utilization starts off around 50% and then creeps to 100% and crashes. Individual EQ instances start eating more and more VRAM as the session goes on, even if I'm not zoning or anything.

I've tried just about everything I can think of, I'm by no means a Linux pro and my setup is pretty fragile. I've tried different NVIDIA driver versions, but have experienced pretty bad results/crashes with anything other than 570. Is there a way I can cap the amount of VRAM each instance is getting or something?

Anyone have some pro tips I can try? Or do I just need to upgrade my graphics card at this point...

Thanks.

 

[neumuno]

I am 3 boxing on a 3060TI not that much different than a 2080. Maybe try switching to Nobara linux. It works well for gaming out of the box. I can run MQ without problems using redfetch. If you upgrade your card, Radeon generally does better with linux than Nvidia.

 

[boxbuddy]

I've got a 2070 running Ubuntu 22.04 with X11 & GNOME, though I don't think that really matters. What driver are you using for your GPU? I noticed when I'm running the X.Org X server Nouveau display driver (open source), my VRAM usage is crazy and everything sucks to run on.

I'm pretty sure Linux Mint has an application that handles your drivers. You should be running the latest TESTED NVIDIA driver. In your drivers page it should say something like "Using NVIDIA driver (open kernel) metapackage from nvidia-driver-590-open (proprietary, tested)".

Also, what is your wine config looking like? Did you follow all of the steps in The New Linux And MQ Guide? In the discussion section I gave what my wine config is like. Most of my eq sessions are eating up ~28-50 MB of VRAM.

Also, make sure that you aren't using the new EQ UI engine. That can really mess things up.

 

[ycleptjah]

I've got a 2070 running Ubuntu 22.04 with X11 & GNOME, though I don't think that really matters. What driver are you using for your GPU? I noticed when I'm running the X.Org X server Nouveau display driver (open source), my VRAM usage is crazy and everything sucks to run on.

I'm pretty sure Linux Mint has an application that handles your drivers. You should be running the latest TESTED NVIDIA driver. In your drivers page it should say something like "Using NVIDIA driver (open kernel) metapackage from nvidia-driver-590-open (proprietary, tested)".

Also, what is your wine config looking like? Did you follow all of the steps in The New Linux And MQ Guide? In the discussion section I gave what my wine config is like. Most of my eq sessions are eating up ~28-50 MB of VRAM.

Also, make sure that you aren't using the new EQ UI engine. That can really mess things up.

Jeez! Mine are eating 10x the VRAM as yours...

I don't have the new UI, I tried running the latest 590 driver, but I couldn't load up more than 2 toons before the session completely froze and I had to restart. I've only been able to get things stable with the 570 driver...I wonder if 590 would fix my problems.

For the wine config, are you talking about your overrides? I have a few of them, but not that entire list. I can try adding more...my setup is super fragile so I'm reluctant to play with things too much. I did not follow the Linux and MQ guide, I honestly just fumbled my way around in the dark to get things working.

I also have no pre-Luclin character models, just opaque white toon outlines running around...but I can live with that if I can get the VRAM fixed.

Thanks!

 

[boxbuddy]

I don't have the new UI, I tried running the latest 590 driver, but I couldn't load up more than 2 toons before the session completely froze and I had to restart. I've only been able to get things stable with the 570 driver...I wonder if 590 would fix my problems.

I ran on 570 for a long time as well with 0 issues regarding VRAM.

For the wine config, are you talking about your overrides? I have a few of them, but not that entire list. I can try adding more...my setup is super fragile so I'm reluctant to play with things too much. I did not follow the Linux and MQ guide, I honestly just fumbled my way around in the dark to get things working.

Yes. You won't break anything, if you're already experiencing high VRAM usage, then tweaking the overrides isn't going to break anything. I highly recommend that you follow the guide, though. With Mint, you shouldn't have to veer too far off the official guide in order to get things running.

I also have no pre-Luclin character models, just opaque white toon outlines running around...but I can live with that if I can get the VRAM fixed.

FWIF I play with stick figures, so...

 

[ycleptjah]

I ran on 570 for a long time as well with 0 issues regarding VRAM.


Yes. You won't break anything, if you're already experiencing high VRAM usage, then tweaking the overrides isn't going to break anything. I highly recommend that you follow the guide, though. With Mint, you shouldn't have to veer too far off the official guide in order to get things running.

FWIF I play with stick figures, so...

I wonder if my character models are causing some issues...how do you get the stick figure things? I used to use Wire, but I don't think it exists anymore.

Thanks for your help!

 

[boxbuddy]

I wonder if my character models are causing some issues...how do you get the stick figure things? I used to use Wire, but I don't think it exists anymore.

Thanks for your help!

Tip - - Modern Lag and the use of StickFigures=1

Modern Lag 2023... the bane of my existence in game. Back in June I learned about "How to revert to the old UI" thanks to @Knightly. Further research I found a few posts reminding me where to change many bipedal PC & NPC looks to wireframe stick figures! Locate and Open...

www.redguides.com

 

[ycleptjah]

Tip - - Modern Lag and the use of StickFigures=1

Modern Lag 2023... the bane of my existence in game. Back in June I learned about "How to revert to the old UI" thanks to @Knightly. Further research I found a few posts reminding me where to change many bipedal PC & NPC looks to wireframe stick figures! Locate and Open...

www.redguides.com

Rockin'! Thanks. I'll try that and the wine configs.