Measuring Input Latency on Linux: X11 vs. Wayland, VRR, and DXVK
How to measure input latency for gaming performance on Linux?
1Gaming Performance on Linux
Linux can offer better performance than Windows, especially in terms of FPS, frame rate, and input latency. However, optimizing this performance requires various settings and methods. This article discusses a device and methods used to measure input latency on Linux.
2What is Input Latency?
Input latency refers to the time between a mouse click and the detection of a change on the screen. This duration is critical, especially in competitive gaming. On Linux, a special device and methods are used to measure this latency.
3Measurement Device
The measurement device consists of a light sensor and a USB connection that simulates mouse clicks. The time between the click and the detection of a change on the screen is measured to determine system latency. This device was inspired by open-source projects.
4X11 vs. Wayland
Linux has two main display servers: X11 and Wayland. Although Wayland is more modern, it is said to have higher input latency compared to X11. This article compares the performance of both servers.
5Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
VRR dynamically adjusts the screen's refresh rate to provide a smoother image. However, the impact of this technology on input latency is debatable. The article compares latency measurements with VRR on and off.
6DXVK Low Latency Fork
DXVK is a tool that translates Direct3D to Vulkan. The low latency fork is optimized especially for competitive gaming. This article examines the impact of this fork on input latency compared to standard DXVK.
7Test Scenarios
The article tests different scenarios such as X11 vs Wayland, VRR on and off, and the DXVK low latency fork. Input latency measurements are made in each scenario to compare performance.
8Hardware and Software
Tests were conducted on high-performance hardware including an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER graphics card, and MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED monitor. Software used includes CachyOS, NVIDIA drivers, and KDE Plasma.
9Flip Mode and Blit Mode
Wayland has two different compositor modes: Flip Mode and Blit Mode. Flip Mode provides lower latency. The article examines the impact of these modes on input latency.
10Results and Analysis
Test results show that X11 provides lower latency compared to Wayland. VRR being on can increase latency. The DXVK low latency fork offers better performance, especially when VRR is on.
11Optimization Recommendations
To improve gaming performance on Linux, using X11, enabling Flip Mode, and using the DXVK low latency fork are recommended. These settings minimize input latency, providing a better gaming experience.
12Key Takeaways
Measuring and optimizing input latency on Linux is crucial, especially for competitive gaming. The methods and results presented in this article can help Linux users enhance their gaming performance.