Set Coolbits Ubuntu In this article, we will show you how to enable Coolbits on Ubuntu 22.04 through the NVIDIA X Server Settings.

Are you looking to squeeze a bit more performance out of your NVIDIA graphics card, or perhaps gain control over your GPU’s fan curves? Enabling Coolbits on Ubuntu 22.04 can unlock overclocking and fan control features, all through the NVIDIA X Server Settings.

What is Coolbits?

Coolbits is an option provided by the proprietary NVIDIA driver that allows you to access additional controls like:

• Fan speed control (so you can manage cooling more effectively)
• Overclocking (for those looking to push their GPU’s performance)

Essentially, enabling Coolbits is perfect for anyone wanting to fine-tune their graphics card’s performance and thermals on Linux.

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Things you will need to Enable Coolbits on Ubuntu 22.04

Before enabling Coolbits, make sure you have:

1. NVIDIA Proprietary Drivers installed. (Coolbits will not work with the open-source Nouveau driver.)
2. Ubuntu 22.04 fully up-to-date.
3. Administrative privileges (you’ll be editing system configuration files).

Note: If you are using Wayland by default on Ubuntu 22.04, you may need to switch to the Xorg session to use nvidia-xconfig and properly enable Coolbits. Wayland support for NVIDIA has improved, but many advanced features such as overclocking and fan control still work best under Xorg.

How to Enable Coolbits on Ubuntu 22.04

Step 1: Install (or Verify) NVIDIA Drivers

1. Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
2. Update your package list:
   bash

   CopyEdit

   sudo apt update

3. Install the recommended NVIDIA driver (if you don’t have it already). Typically, Ubuntu provides a “Software & Updates” tool where you can install proprietary drivers easily. Or use:
   bash

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   sudo apt install nvidia-driver-xxx


   Replace xxx with the appropriate driver version for your system (e.g., nvidia-driver-525).

4. Reboot your system to make sure the new drivers are loaded:
   bash

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   sudo reboot


After your system restarts, confirm the driver installation by running:

You should see details about your NVIDIA GPU and the driver version.

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Step 2: Switch from Wayland to Xorg (If Necessary)

Ubuntu 22.04 may default to a Wayland session. If you’re already on Xorg, you can skip this. Otherwise:

1. Log out of your current session.
2. On the login screen, click the gear icon (or settings icon) next to your username.
3. Select “Ubuntu on Xorg” (sometimes labeled “Ubuntu (Xorg)”).
4. Log back in.

Now you’re running Xorg, which is required for the Coolbits configuration to work smoothly.

Step 3: Generate or Edit Your Xorg Configuration

Let’s edit the NVIDIA X configuration file so we can enable Coolbits. You have two ways to do this:

Option A: Use nvidia-xconfig (Quick and Automated)

1. Open a terminal.
2. Run the following command to generate an /etc/X11/xorg.conf file with Coolbits enabled:
   bash

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   sudo nvidia-xconfig --cool-bits=12

   • The value 12 is a common option that enables both fan control and overclocking.
   • There are other Coolbits values (e.g., 4 for fan control only, 8 for certain overclocking permissions), but 12 (which is 4+8) is the most typical for advanced tweaking.
3. Once complete, reboot your system:
   bash

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   sudo reboot


Option B: Manually Edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf or /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/

If you prefer manual tweaking, you can do:

1. Open the config file in a text editor (nano in this example):
   bash

   CopyEdit

   sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf


   If it doesn’t exist, you can create one or look for a .conf file in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/.

2. Find (or create) the section that looks like this:
   plaintext

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   Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA Card"
Driver "nvidia"
...
EndSection

3. Add the Coolbits option within this section:
   plaintext

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   Option "Coolbits" "12"

4. Save the file (Ctrl + O, then press Enter) and exit (Ctrl + X).
5. Reboot your system.

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Step 4: Verify Coolbits and Adjust Fan/Overclock Settings

After your system restarts, let’s confirm that Coolbits is enabled:

1. Open a terminal or press Alt + F2 and type:
   bash

   CopyEdit

   nvidia-settings

2. In the NVIDIA X Server Settings window, expand the GPU 0 (or your GPU name) on the left sidebar.
3. Look for Thermal Settings (fan speed) and Clock Frequencies (overclocking).
4. If everything worked correctly, you’ll see sliders or fields that let you adjust fan speeds and clock offsets.

Pro Tip:

• If you don’t see the options, double-check that you used the correct “Coolbits” value and that you’re on Xorg instead of Wayland.

Important Warnings

• Overclock at Your Own Risk: Overclocking can lead to higher power consumption, more heat, and potentially reduce the lifespan of your GPU if done irresponsibly.
• Monitor Temperatures: Keep an eye on your GPU temperatures. If you push clock speeds too far, you risk overheating.
• System Stability: Overclocking may cause system instability or crashes if taken beyond safe limits. Always increase speeds in small increments.

Troubleshooting Tips

1. No GPU Settings?
   • Confirm you’re running the proprietary NVIDIA driver (nvidia-smi should show your GPU usage).
   • Check you’re on Xorg, not Wayland.
   • Re-edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf to make sure the Coolbits line is correct.
2. Login Loop After Enabling Coolbits?
   • Boot into recovery mode or switch to a virtual console (Ctrl + Alt + F3) and revert your changes.
   • Sometimes certain GPU models or older drivers may not handle certain Coolbits values well.
3. Fan Control Not Visible?
   • Verify you used the correct bit for fan control. For fan control specifically, you need bit 4. If you only set 1 for overclocking, fan control won’t appear.

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Conclusion

Enabling Coolbits on Ubuntu 22.04 can be a game-changer if you’re looking to fine-tune your NVIDIA GPU for better performance or quieter operation. Just remember to proceed with caution—moderation and consistent temperature monitoring are the keys to a successful GPU overclock or custom fan profile.

Happy tinkering, and enjoy your newly unlocked GPU control! If you run into any questions or issues, feel free to drop a comment or search for community discussions—they’re a treasure trove of collective wisdom on this topic.

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