Mastering Low Resolution Grub Arch NVIDIA: A Comprehensive Guide for RTX 3070 Users

Experiencing a low resolution grub arch NVIDIA scenario on your high-performance system, particularly with an RTX 3070 graphics card, can be a perplexing and frustrating issue. While seemingly a minor inconvenience, the inability to achieve optimal display output during the boot process can significantly detract from the user experience. At revWhiteShadow, we understand the intricacies of modern hardware and software configurations, and we are dedicated to providing in-depth solutions for even the most nuanced technical challenges. This comprehensive guide is designed to address this specific problem head-on, offering a detailed exploration of the root causes and providing actionable steps to resolve low resolution grub arch NVIDIA for your RTX 3070.

We recognize that many users facing this predicament have already undertaken considerable troubleshooting, comparing kernel parameters between a functioning Ubuntu Live CD and their Arch Linux installation, often with limited success. The observation that a Live CD environment renders the display correctly, displaying resolutions far superior to the 1024x768 or 860x480 reported by videoinfo within the GRUB prompt, is a critical clue. This suggests that the fundamental hardware capabilities are present and accessible, but the GRUB configuration itself is not effectively leveraging them for your RTX 3070 on Arch Linux.

Understanding the GRUB Display Chain with NVIDIA

The GRUB bootloader plays a crucial role in initializing the graphical environment before the Linux kernel takes over. For users with NVIDIA hardware, especially newer generations like the RTX 3070, the interaction between GRUB’s display drivers, the NVIDIA driver’s capabilities, and the UEFI/BIOS settings can be complex. GRUB needs to correctly identify and set a resolution that is compatible with both the graphics card’s output and the connected display. When this fails, the system defaults to a generic, low-resolution mode, hindering proper display initialization.

The GRUB_GFXMODE and GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX parameters in your grub.cfg are central to this process. GRUB_GFXMODE dictates the resolution GRUB attempts to set for its own console output, while GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep instructs GRUB to try and maintain that resolution when handing over control to the Linux kernel. The fact that even setting GRUB_GFXMODE to higher resolutions, auto, or specifying the color depth (e.g., width x height x depth) has yielded no improvement points towards a deeper issue than simply misconfiguring these parameters.

The Role of videoinfo and Framebuffers

The videoinfo command within the GRUB rescue shell provides vital information about the available video modes that GRUB can utilize. The limited output of 860x480 or 1024x768 suggests that GRUB’s built-in video drivers are not detecting the full range of resolutions supported by your RTX 3070 or the connected display. This is often related to how GRUB interacts with the system’s firmware (UEFI or BIOS) and the early framebuffer initialization.

When a system boots, the firmware often sets up a basic framebuffer. GRUB then needs to either take over this framebuffer or create its own, ensuring it can output graphics at a desired resolution. For NVIDIA cards, especially those utilizing the proprietary driver, the interaction can be intricate. The nvidia-drm.modeset=1 kernel parameter is intended to enable DRM (Direct Rendering Manager) KMS (Kernel Mode Setting) for the NVIDIA driver, which is crucial for proper resolution handling. However, its effectiveness can depend on how GRUB itself has initialized the display.

Comparing Arch Linux and Ubuntu Live CD Kernel Parameters

Your observation of successful high resolution on an Ubuntu Live CD is a powerful diagnostic tool. The fact that you’ve attempted to replicate Ubuntu’s kernel parameters in Arch without success indicates that the difference might lie not just in the boot parameters but also in the GRUB configuration or the underlying system setup on your installed Arch system.

Ubuntu Live CDs often come with a more comprehensive set of pre-configured drivers and modules that might be loaded earlier or in a different order than in a minimal Arch installation. This can influence how GRUB’s video output is handled. The key is to identify what specifically on the Ubuntu Live CD allows it to access higher resolutions, and then replicate that logic within your Arch GRUB configuration.

Advanced GRUB Configuration for NVIDIA RTX 3070

Let’s delve into advanced configurations that can potentially resolve the low resolution grub arch NVIDIA issue for your RTX 3070.

Optimizing GRUB_GFXMODE and GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX

While you’ve experimented, ensuring the GRUB_GFXMODE is set to a resolution explicitly supported by your RTX 3070 and monitor is paramount. The most effective way to do this is to find the highest supported resolution.

  1. Identifying Supported Resolutions: Before modifying grub.cfg, it’s beneficial to try and determine the actual resolutions your system’s firmware and early kernel stages can output. You can boot into a live environment (like your Ubuntu CD) and use tools like xrandr (if you can get a graphical session) or examine kernel logs (dmesg) for any hints about detected resolutions.

  2. Explicitly Setting GRUB_GFXMODE: Instead of auto, try setting GRUB_GFXMODE to a specific, high resolution known to be supported by your monitor and GPU. For example:

    GRUB_GFXMODE=3840x2160x32

    or

    GRUB_GFXMODE=2560x1440x32

    The x32 specifies a 32-bit color depth, which is common for modern displays. You might need to experiment with different combinations.

  3. GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX: Keeping this as keep is generally correct, as it aims to preserve the GRUB resolution when the kernel boots.

Leveraging GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT and GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX

Your current GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="nvidia-drm.modeset=1 quiet splash" is a good starting point. However, there are other parameters that might influence early display initialization.

  • video= Kernel Parameter: This parameter can be used to explicitly set the resolution and color depth of the framebuffer early in the boot process. You can try adding it to your GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX line. For instance:

    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="nvidia-drm.modeset=1 quiet splash video=HDMI-A-1:1920x1080@60e"

    You would need to identify the correct output connector (e.g., HDMI-A-1, DP-1) and desired resolution/refresh rate. This information can often be found in dmesg output from a working session or through tools like hw-probe.

  • nomodeset (Temporary for Testing): While nvidia-drm.modeset=1 is preferred for enabling KMS, as a temporary diagnostic step, you could try removing nvidia-drm.modeset=1 and adding nomodeset. This forces the kernel to use software rendering initially, which might reveal if the issue is purely with GRUB’s interaction with the NVIDIA driver’s KMS. Remember to revert this for proper NVIDIA driver functionality.

Ensuring gfxterm Compatibility

The GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT=gfxterm setting is correct for enabling graphical output. However, the GRUB_TERMINAL_INPUT=console might be less optimal if GRUB isn’t properly initializing a graphical console.

  • GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT=gfxterm: This requires GRUB to have access to a framebuffer and a compatible font. The GRUB_BACKGROUND and GRUB_THEME settings you have are dependent on gfxterm functioning correctly.

  • Font Support: Ensure that the font used by gfxterm is compatible with the chosen resolution and your display. GRUB typically uses a limited set of fonts.

Framebuffer Configuration (/etc/default/grub)

Let’s meticulously review and adjust your /etc/default/grub file.

GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR="Arch"
# Ensure nvidia-drm.modeset=1 is present and consider other relevant kernel params
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="nvidia-drm.modeset=1 quiet splash"
GRUB_PRELOAD_MODULES="part_gpt part_msdos"
# GRUB_TERMINAL_INPUT=console # Consider changing to gfxterm if experiencing issues, though console is often fine here.
GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT=gfxterm
# Explicitly set a high resolution known to be supported. Replace with your monitor's native resolution.
GRUB_GFXMODE=3840x2160x32
# Keep the GRUB resolution when the kernel boots
GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep
GRUB_COLOR_NORMAL="light-blue/black"
GRUB_COLOR_HIGHLIGHT="light-cyan/blue"
# Ensure your background image is accessible and appropriately sized for the chosen GFXMODE
GRUB_BACKGROUND="/boot/grub/arch.png"
GRUB_THEME="/usr/share/grub/themes/Vimix/theme.txt"

After making any changes to /etc/default/grub, you MUST run sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg to apply them.

Potential Conflicts and Solutions

NVIDIA Driver Initialization Timing

The core of the problem might be that the NVIDIA proprietary driver is not being loaded or initialized by GRUB early enough to set the desired mode.

  • Early Loading of NVIDIA Modules: GRUB can load modules before passing control to the kernel. While GRUB_PRELOAD_MODULES is for GRUB modules, there are ways to influence kernel module loading. However, this is usually handled by the kernel’s initramfs.

  • Initramfs Configuration: Your mkinitcpio.conf needs to include the nvidia and nvidia_modeset modules in its MODULES array, and ensure udev is present. This allows the kernel to properly detect and load the NVIDIA driver and its associated DRM components during the early boot stages, which GRUB might then be able to leverage.

    Ensure your /etc/mkinitcpio.conf looks something like this:

    MODULES=(nvidia nvidia_modeset nvidia_uvm nvidia_drm)
BINARIES=()
FILES=()
HOOKS=(base udev autodetect modconf block keyboard keymap consolefont compiler filesystems fsck)

    The autodetect hook is usually sufficient, but explicitly listing nvidia, nvidia_modeset, nvidia_uvm, and nvidia_drm ensures they are considered. After modifying mkinitcpio.conf, regenerate your initramfs:

    sudo mkinitcpio -P

UEFI and Secure Boot Interactions

If your system is using UEFI and Secure Boot is enabled, this can sometimes interfere with GRUB’s ability to probe hardware or load certain modules.

  • Secure Boot: Temporarily disabling Secure Boot in your UEFI settings can help diagnose if it’s the cause. If disabling it resolves the issue, you might need to look into signing GRUB and your kernel modules for Secure Boot compatibility.

  • UEFI GOP (Graphics Output Protocol): GRUB uses UEFI GOP to display graphics if available. Ensure your UEFI firmware is up-to-date, as older versions might have limited GOP support.

VBE vs. UEFI Graphics

The videoinfo command can sometimes report VESA BIOS Extensions (VBE) modes. However, on modern UEFI systems, GRUB is more likely to use UEFI GOP. The fact that you’re not seeing a wider range of resolutions could indicate GRUB is falling back to VBE or failing to properly interface with UEFI GOP for your NVIDIA card.

The GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT=gfxterm relies on GRUB’s graphics drivers. If these drivers are not correctly detecting or initializing the output for your RTX 3070, the resolution will remain low.

Troubleshooting Steps Summarized

  1. Verify Supported Resolutions: Boot your Ubuntu Live CD, get a terminal, and use xdpyinfo | grep dimensions or similar tools to identify available resolutions. Alternatively, check your monitor’s specifications.

  2. Update /etc/default/grub:

    • Set GRUB_GFXMODE to a known high resolution (e.g., 3840x2160x32 or 2560x1440x32).
    • Ensure GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX includes nvidia-drm.modeset=1.
    • Consider adding a video= parameter for explicit control.

  3. Regenerate GRUB Configuration:

    sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

  4. Update Initramfs:

    • Ensure nvidia, nvidia_modeset, nvidia_uvm, nvidia_drm are in MODULES in /etc/mkinitcpio.conf.
    • Run sudo mkinitcpio -P.

  5. Test and Observe: Reboot your system and check the GRUB resolution. If it’s still low, examine dmesg for any GRUB or NVIDIA-related error messages.

Deep Dive into GRUB_GFXMODE and Framebuffer Depth

The depth component in GRUB_GFXMODE (e.g., x32) specifies the number of bits per pixel. For modern displays, 24-bit true color (8 bits per color channel) is common, often represented as 32-bit mode due to alignment or alpha channel considerations.

If 3840x2160x32 or 2560x1440x32 doesn’t work, try other common depths:

  • GRUB_GFXMODE=3840x2160x24
  • GRUB_GFXMODE=2560x1440x24

It’s also possible that the specific combination of resolution and depth isn’t supported by GRUB’s early initialization on your hardware. In such cases, GRUB might fall back to a safe, low resolution.

Investigating GRUB Modules and Load Order

GRUB’s module loading is critical. The part_gpt and part_msdos modules are for partition table recognition, which is standard. However, the graphics modules are what we’re concerned about. GRUB needs to load a module that can correctly interface with the graphics hardware.

If GRUB’s built-in graphics drivers are insufficient for the RTX 3070, it might not be able to establish a high-resolution mode. The gfxterm output relies on these.

The Impact of GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false

While GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false allows GRUB to find other operating systems (like Windows), it generally doesn’t directly impact the resolution GRUB uses for its own menu. However, ensuring your GRUB installation is robust and correctly configured for your boot mode (UEFI or Legacy BIOS) is fundamental.

Advanced Troubleshooting: Manual GRUB Module Loading

In rare cases, you might need to explicitly load GRUB modules. This is done by editing GRUB’s configuration files directly or by adding commands to grub.cfg. However, the standard method of editing /etc/default/grub and running grub-mkconfig is the intended way.

If the gfxterm module itself is failing to initialize correctly, this could be the bottleneck. You can inspect GRUB’s own logs if you can access the GRUB rescue shell and use commands like lsmod (though GRUB’s module listing is different from Linux’s).

Finalizing Your GRUB Configuration

The goal is to ensure that when GRUB starts, it can detect and set a high resolution that both your RTX 3070 and your monitor agree on, and then pass this information to the kernel effectively. The nvidia-drm.modeset=1 parameter is key for the kernel’s subsequent handling of the NVIDIA driver, but GRUB needs to set the stage.

By systematically adjusting GRUB_GFXMODE, ensuring your initramfs is correctly configured with NVIDIA modules, and regenerating the GRUB configuration, you are addressing the most probable causes for the low resolution grub arch NVIDIA issue with your RTX 3070. Remember that persistence is key in troubleshooting, and each step aims to refine the boot process until optimal graphical output is achieved. At revWhiteShadow, we believe in empowering users with the knowledge to overcome these technical hurdles, ensuring a seamless and visually stunning experience from the very first boot.