# GameMode — Optimise Linux System Performance for Gaming

> A daemon by Feral Interactive that temporarily applies system optimisations when a game is running, including CPU governor tuning, I/O priority, and GPU performance mode.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# GameMode — Optimise Linux System Performance for Gaming

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install on Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install gamemode
# Run a game with GameMode enabled
gamemoderun ./my_game
# Or via Steam launch options
# Set launch options to: gamemoderun %command%
# Check if GameMode is active
gamemoded -s
```

## Introduction
GameMode is a Linux daemon created by Feral Interactive that applies temporary system optimisations while a game or demanding application is running. It automatically switches the CPU to performance mode, adjusts I/O and process scheduling priorities, and can activate GPU performance profiles, then reverts all changes when the game exits.

## What GameMode Does
- Switches the CPU frequency governor to performance mode when a game starts
- Adjusts process niceness and I/O priority for the game process
- Requests GPU performance mode on NVIDIA and AMD cards
- Inhibits the screensaver during gameplay
- Reverts all optimisations automatically when the game exits

## Architecture Overview
GameMode consists of a user-space daemon (gamemoded) and a client library (libgamemode). Games or launchers call `gamemode_request_start()` to activate optimisations and `gamemode_request_end()` to deactivate them. The daemon applies changes via sysfs, inotify, and D-Bus interfaces. The `gamemoderun` wrapper script preloads the client library into any executable.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install via your distro's package manager (apt, dnf, pacman) or build from source
- Configuration file lives at `~/.config/gamemode.ini` or `/etc/gamemode.ini`
- Customise which optimisations are applied (governor, nice, ioprio, GPU)
- Define custom start/stop scripts in the config for per-game tweaks
- Verify installation with `gamemoded -t` (runs a self-test)

## Key Features
- Zero-configuration default that works out of the box for most games
- Automatic activation via Steam launch options or Lutris integration
- GPU performance mode support for both NVIDIA and AMD drivers
- Custom script hooks for game-specific optimisations
- Lightweight daemon with minimal overhead when idle

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **auto-cpufreq** — always-on CPU management; GameMode applies changes only during gaming
- **CoreCtrl** — GUI for GPU overclocking profiles; GameMode is automatic and daemon-based
- **cpupower** — manual governor control; GameMode automates it per-session
- **MangoHud** — performance overlay for monitoring; GameMode actively optimises
- **Steam's built-in settings** — limited to Proton options; GameMode tunes the OS itself

## FAQ
**Q: Does GameMode improve FPS?**
A: It depends on the hardware and game. Gains of 5-15% are common on systems where the CPU governor defaults to power-saving.

**Q: Is it compatible with Proton and Wine?**
A: Yes. Use `gamemoderun %command%` in Steam's launch options for Proton games.

**Q: Does it affect other applications?**
A: No. Optimisations target only the requesting process and revert when it exits.

**Q: Can multiple games use it simultaneously?**
A: Yes. The daemon reference-counts requests and keeps optimisations active while any client is running.

## Sources
- https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode
- https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode/blob/master/README.md

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-ff883ee0
Author: Script Depot