nbd-vram is a novel Linux tool that enables using NVIDIA GPU VRAM as swap space, particularly useful for laptops with limited upgradable RAM. The tool creates a block device via NBD protocol that utilizes available VRAM, providing faster swap performance than SSD and expanding usable memory capacity. It's especially beneficial for systems with soldered memory where physical RAM upgrades aren't possible.
Background
As laptops increasingly use soldered memory with no upgrade path, users seek creative solutions to expand usable memory. GPU VRAM, which often sits idle during non-graphical tasks, presents an opportunity for memory expansion through software solutions.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Jun 2, 2026 at 01:46 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10