I would suggest trying compiz as the compositor instead of what is selected as a default.
@KM You should try selecting compiz in your XFCE setup, then turn acceleration back on. I think it'll be fine. https://wiki.debian.org/Compiz
I found a Linux distro that fixes my eyestrain with the default setup!!
Using a Ryzen APU as my graphics card, I'm currently happy with amdgpu's TearFree option. Not only does it eliminate tearing and artifacts, but as opposed to software compositors, there's only very little lag when moving elements (windows, scrollbars, etc.).
7 days later
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One environment variable is particularly useful:
LIBGL_ALWAYS_SOFTWARE=1You can start an application by preceding its command with this variable, and then its GL hardware acceleration should be disabled. I tested this with Firefox, Chromium, and an OpenGL game (UnCiv).
For example, to start Chromium from a command line:
$ LIBGL_ALWAYS_SOFTWARE=1 chromiumIt is worth to check out if this helps with applications that are causing instant eye strain. This environment variable and others can be found here: https://docs.mesa3d.org/envvars.html
To start a program from a desktop launcher/menu, you can use the env command:
env LIBGL_ALWAYS_SOFTWARE=1 chromium5 days later
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ensete What Linux kernel are you using? I use Ubuntu 18.04 with Linux kernel 4.15.0-x and I have no eyestrain. Ubuntu 18.04 has two different kernels -- 4.15 and 5.4. I don't use kernel 5.4 because this kernel gives me eyestrain and headaches.
I used Ubuntu 18.04 with kernel 4.15.0-x for years. Then last year I reinstalled Ubuntu 18.04, but the display became very harsh and gave me a headache. Then I noticed that it had kernel 5.4 and not kernel 4.15. So I installed kernel 4.15, booted into GRUB, and selected kernel 4.15 and the eyestrain disappeared and the screen was easy on the eyes! Kernel 5.4 turned my good laptop (ideapad 110) into a bad laptop.
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karut Ubuntu 18.04 with the Linux kernel 4.15.0.x gets security updates until 2028 through Ubuntu Pro ESM which is free. This is what I use. On my good laptop I get eyestrain and headaches from the 5.4 kernel but not from the 4.15 kernel. Both kernels 4.15 and 5.4 are available on Ubuntu 18.04. The latest releases of Ubuntu 18.04 come with kernel 5.4, so you need to install kernel 4.15 and then boot into GRUB and select kernel 4.15.
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For me newest Ubuntu 22.04 works fine after some tinkering (AMD GPU):
- Wayland -> eye strain
- Wayland + GRUB amdgpu.dither=0 -> eye strain
- X11 + GRUB amdgpu.dither=0 + X11 code to disable dithering and make tear free (chatgbt) -> Instant relief, very very noticeable, definitely not placebo as with various macbook tinkering solutions where you never sure.
X11 code:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/amdgpu.conf
Section "Device"
Identifier "AMDGPU"
Driver "amdgpu"
Option "Dither" "off"
EndSectionAll these settings using external monitor on profile sRGB and ubuntu standard sRGB color profile (not monitor profile). And not really sure which one is actually making a difference.
Other than the fact the conf file is missing a match line, this won't work because the property isn't there.
Type xrandr --prop in the terminal to see the list of properties you can call. Dither won't be there.
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karut In case you missed my message above, Ubuntu 18.04 gets security updates until 2028 through Ubuntu Pro ESM. AlmaLinux gets security updates until 2029.
With Ubuntu you have the option of using kernel 4.15 and with AlmaLinux (binary-compatible with RHEL) you have the option of using kernel 4.18.
I think these are the two oldest kernels that will receive security updates for the next 4-5 years.
9 days later
So some guidelines until now are using X11, some older kernel and disabling hardware acceleration?
Also, arch and manjaro should use pretty new kernels, they are rolling distros, but the posts were made in 2017, so maybe that's when the version 4 of the kernel was used.
I tried lot of distros of Linux with almost every desktop manager and got eye strain. There is a way to disable that eye strain in Linux? I can’t use my PC because of that, it will be helpful
16 days later
cant get my ethernet working in 4.15 kernel..
AlanSmith For many the problem absolutely is the OS. Don't assume because something does or does not impact you it does or does not impact others.
DirectX12 acceleration and 3D compositing are at the root of my BVD issues with Windows, and thats 100% due to them being implemented in Win 10 and Win 11
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karut If you prefer to have a "secure" system that you can't use due to eyestrain, well that's a choice I guess.
"Security" is the most overblown term thrown around in computing. 99.9% of PC security is between the chair and the keyboard, and Linux itself is such an insanely small vector for attacks it's laughable to be concerned about it.
My daily driver laptop I use around the house runs Windows XP. Never had a "security" issue with it ever. Don't install software you don't know, don't click on links in in email, and you are just as secure as any fully updated "secure" OS. This isn't the movies where top secret NSA hackers are going to run 0 day exploits to get into your PC and download the launch codes. 99.99% of PC "security" threats are scammers trying to bilk you into buying them gift cards or crypto