## Running X without a display manager  {#sec-x11-startx}

It is possible to avoid a display manager entirely and starting the X server
manually from a virtual terminal. Add to your configuration:
```nix
{
  services.xserver.displayManager.startx = {
    enable = true;
    generateScript = true;
  };
}
```
then you can start the X server with the `startx` command.

The second option will generate a base `xinitrc` script that will run your
window manager and set up the systemd user session.
You can extend the script using the
[extraCommands](#opt-services.xserver.displayManager.startx.extraCommands)
option, for example:
```nix
{
  services.xserver.displayManager.startx = {
    generateScript = true;
    extraCommands = ''
      xrdb -load .Xresources
      xsetroot -solid '#666661'
      xsetroot -cursor_name left_ptr
    '';
  };
}
```
or, alternatively, you can write your own from scratch in `~/.xinitrc`.

In this case, remember you're responsible for starting the window manager, for
example:
```shell
sxhkd &
bspwm &
```
and if you have enabled some systemd user service, you will probably want to
also add these lines too:
```shell
# import required env variables from the current shell
systemctl --user import-environment DISPLAY XDG_SESSION_ID
# start all graphical user services
systemctl --user start nixos-fake-graphical-session.target
# start the user dbus daemon
dbus-daemon --session --address="unix:path=/run/user/$(id -u)/bus" &
```

## Intel Graphics drivers {#sec-x11--graphics-cards-intel}

The default and recommended driver for Intel Graphics in X.org is `modesetting`
(included in the xorg-server package itself).
This is a generic driver which uses the kernel [mode
setting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_setting) (KMS) mechanism, it
supports Glamor (2D graphics acceleration via OpenGL) and is actively
maintained, it may perform worse in some cases (like in old chipsets).

There is a second driver, `intel` (provided by the xf86-video-intel package),
specific to older Intel iGPUs from generation 2 to 9. It is not recommended by
most distributions: it lacks several modern features (for example, it doesn't
support Glamor) and the package hasn't been officially updated since 2015.

Third generation and older iGPUs (15-20+ years old) are not supported by the
`modesetting` driver (X will crash upon startup). Thus, the `intel` driver is
required for these chipsets.
Otherwise, the results vary depending on the hardware, so you may have to try
both drivers. Use the option
[](#opt-services.xserver.videoDrivers)
to set one. The recommended configuration for modern systems is:

```nix
{
  services.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "modesetting" ];
}
```
::: {.note}
The `modesetting` driver doesn't currently provide a `TearFree` option (this
will become available in an upcoming X.org release), So, without using a
compositor (for example, see [](#opt-services.picom.enable)) you will
experience screen tearing.
:::

If you experience screen tearing no matter what, this configuration was
reported to resolve the issue:

```nix
{
  services.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "intel" ];
    services.xserver.deviceSection = ''
    Option "DRI" "2"
    Option "TearFree" "true"
  '';
}
```

Note that this will likely downgrade the performance compared to
`modesetting` or `intel` with DRI 3 (default).

## Proprietary NVIDIA drivers {#sec-x11-graphics-cards-nvidia}

NVIDIA provides a proprietary driver for its graphics cards that has
better 3D performance than the X.org drivers. It is not enabled by
default because it's not free software. You can enable it as follows:

```nix
{
  services.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "nvidia" ];
}
```

If you have an older card, you may have to use one of the legacy drivers:

```nix
{
  hardware.nvidia.package = config.boot.kernelPackages.nvidiaPackages.legacy_470;
  hardware.nvidia.package = config.boot.kernelPackages.nvidiaPackages.legacy_390;
  hardware.nvidia.package = config.boot.kernelPackages.nvidiaPackages.legacy_340;
}
```