Open source tool enables Nvidia GPU VRAM as Linux swap space
Original: Use your Nvidia GPU's VRAM as swap space on Linux
Why This Matters
Provides practical solution for memory-constrained laptops using unused GPU resources
GitHub project nbd-vram allows Linux users to utilize Nvidia GPU video memory as system swap space. Tool targets laptops with non-upgradeable RAM, tested on RTX 3070 with 8GB VRAM allocating 7GB for swap on Pop!_OS.
Developer c0deJedi released nbd-vram, an open source tool that converts Nvidia GPU VRAM into Linux swap space. The project addresses memory limitations on laptops with soldered RAM that cannot be upgraded. The tool was tested on an RTX 3070 laptop with 16GB physical RAM and 8GB VRAM, successfully allocating 7GB of video memory for swap operations. The implementation uses Network Block Device (NBD) to create a block device from GPU memory, then configures it as swap space. The project includes installation scripts, systemd integration, and power management features. Testing was performed on Pop!_OS with kernel 6.17 and Nvidia driver 580.159.03.