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NviWatch is a free, open-source Rust terminal interface for viewing NVIDIA GPU metrics and processes. It displays temperature, utilization, memory use, and power consumption, and lets you navigate GPU processes and terminate a selected one. It is a fit if you want an interactive terminal view; it requires NVIDIA Management Library (NVML) to be available, and its documented installation routes are for Linux.
What NviWatch shows
NviWatch reads NVIDIA GPU data through NVML, using the Rust crate nvml_wrapper. Its project documentation lists these core functions:
- View GPU temperature, utilization, memory use, and power consumption.
- See processes using a GPU and select a process for termination from the interface.
- Choose a default view, bar-chart view, or tabbed graph view.
- Adjust the refresh interval; the documented default is 1,000 milliseconds.
- Optionally stream metrics to InfluxDB for storage and visualization.
These are capabilities described by the project, not a guarantee that every metric or process action will be available on every system. The README says NVML must be available but does not establish a complete compatibility matrix by GPU model, driver, distribution, or operating-system version. Check the current NviWatch repository instructions against your setup.
Is NviWatch the right monitor for you?
The choice depends mainly on how you want to inspect GPU activity and where you need to manage it. NviWatch is an interactive terminal UI. NVIDIA’s nvidia-smi documentation describes a command-line interface for interacting with and monitoring GPUs, including monitoring modes. NVIDIA’s DCGM is a broader suite for managing and monitoring datacenter GPUs in cluster environments, with metrics and health data for monitoring and alerting.
#1 Best Overall
- 11.3” Wide LCD Screen – Features a crisp 1920×480 resolution display, perfect for showcasing system stats, hardware performance, or personalized visuals inside your gaming PC.
- Real-Time Hardware Monitoring – Easily track CPU/GPU temps, fan speed, memory usage, and more, giving you complete control of your system health at a glance.
- TRCC Software with DIY Options – Includes Thermalright TRCC app with multiple preset themes and DIY customization, so you can design your own unique interface
- Plug & Play USB-C Connection – Simple Type-C interface ensures quick setup and compatibility with most Windows systems, no complicated drivers required.
- Compact & Stylish Build – At only L272 mm x W70 mm x H14 mm, this slim display fits seamlessly inside or outside your PC case, adding both function and aesthetic appeal for modders and enthusiasts.
| Option | Best fit | What the cited documentation establishes |
|---|---|---|
| NviWatch | Interactive terminal monitoring on a system with NVIDIA GPU access | GPU metrics, process listing and termination, graph modes, refresh control, and optional InfluxDB streaming (NviWatch project README). |
| nvidia-smi | Command-line GPU interaction and monitoring | NVIDIA documents monitoring and daemon modes; the cited documentation does not establish a like-for-like comparison with NviWatch’s interface or process controls (NVIDIA documentation). |
| DCGM | Datacenter and cluster GPU management and monitoring | NVIDIA describes metrics and health data for monitoring and alerting; this is a wider management scope than a single interactive terminal display (NVIDIA). |
This evidence supports choosing by workflow and deployment scope, not declaring one tool the overall winner. If you need a terminal dashboard and want to move between GPUs and processes interactively, NviWatch’s documented controls are relevant. For cluster management or alerting, DCGM addresses a different operational need.
Install NviWatch and check its prerequisite
The repository documents three ways to obtain NviWatch: download a prebuilt Linux binary, install through Cargo, or build from source. It also says NVML must be available. The project material cited here does not specify exact driver versions, supported GPU models, or distribution-by-distribution compatibility, so verify the current README before installing.
Rank #2
- Parameters: This is a new type of mini computer chassis screen. There is no need to install AIDA64, and only a USB cable is required to detect whether the running parameters are normal. Display area: 49X74 (mm), overall size: 55X85 (mm), resolution: 320X480, thickness: 7~ 8 (mm), viewing angle: IPS full viewing angle, interface: USB-TYPEC, shell material: metal
- FAQ: Unable to download URL and unzip, use tutorial, what system is supported? Please don't worry, we will upload video tutorial in the link, which will be reflected in the video. At the same time, we will have product instructions. Finally, our products are compatible and easy to operate
- Features: Support horizontal and vertical screen switching, 0°and 180°two options, energy saving and environmental protection, automatic screen off after shutdown, eye comfort, stepless brightness adjustment
- Function: Displays various data of CPU, memory, hard disk and other hardware, so that users can grasp the computer operation status in time. Through special customized chips, it supports dynamic wallpaper and other forms, can add visual effects, and only takes up a small amount of CPU resources. Compared with the traditional HDMI secondary screen, it only needs a USB data cable to connect, avoiding various problems such as cable clutter
- Packing list: 1 x 3.5-inch screen; 1 x USB data cable; 1 x adjustable bracket; 1 x product manual; 1x Acrylic double-sided tape；1 x packaging box. If you encounter the above problems or other problems about the product, the information we provide cannot solve them for you. Please contact us. We are online 24 hours a day and will serve you as soon as possible.
- Confirm NVML is available. Check your NVIDIA software setup and the project’s current instructions. NviWatch depends on NVML, and the documentation does not provide a universal compatibility matrix.
- Choose an installation route. Use a prebuilt Linux binary from the project, or install with Cargo using
cargo install nviwatch. The repository also documents building the source with Cargo. - Run the application and verify it can read your GPU. If device information is missing, revisit NVML availability and the project’s instructions for your environment.
Set the view, refresh rate, and controls
The README documents these command-line options and keyboard controls:
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| Action | Control | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Set refresh interval | --watch |
Sets the interval in milliseconds; the documented default is 1,000 ms. |
| Start with tabbed graphs | --tabbed-graphs |
Selects the tabbed graph view. |
| Start with bar charts | --bar-chart |
Selects the bar-chart view. |
| Quit | q |
Exits NviWatch. |
| Move through processes | Up and down arrows | Changes the selected process. |
| Switch GPU tabs | Left and right arrows | Moves between GPU tabs. |
| Terminate selected process | x |
Requests termination of the selected process. |
| Change view mode | d, t, or b |
Switches among documented view modes. |
Use process termination deliberately: check the selected process before pressing x, particularly on a shared or production system. The README documents the control but does not describe a confirmation workflow or recovery behavior.
Rank #3
- 【Upgraded 5" with Self-developed Software】In response to some customers' needs for a larger computer temp monitor, we have developed this upgraded 5-inch pannel. The PC Temperature Display works great with our English version software. You can use this with our software as a "second monitor" to view computer's Temperature and usage of CPU, GPU ,RAM, FPS and HDD Data etc. More professional and occupy less resoures.
- 【Dynamic Vedio Theme & Cool!!】There are a lot of cool and cute dynamic videos preset in it, and the temporary computer monitor supports customizing your own dynamic video theme. Attached 16G flash card allows you DIY more and a lots dynamic videos.
- 【Just One USB & Great Viewing Angles】Our Computer Temp Monitor only needs the single USB-C cable so it can be mounted completely internally off a usb header without the need of a port on the GPU which is a huge plus to you. No HDMI required, no power required. Just One USB Type-C cable. IPS full view. 5inch panel screen. Display area: 1.93*2.91". Overall size: 2.17*3.35". Resolution: 800*480. Thickness: 0.39". Shell material: Aluminum Housing
- 【Simple & Feature-rich】Image&video UI support. Customizable screen layout. Horizontal and vertial screen switching. Visual theme editor: drag the mouse arbitarily to realize your creativity. Energy saving & environmental protection. One-click operation, Auto-Start, turn off the screen automatically and Comfortable eye protection Brightness adjustment.
- 【Continuously Updated Theme & Great Customer Service】We have professional artists and techie who continuously updated the images and videos theme. We respect and value each customer's product and service satisfaction. We want to offer you premium products for a Long-Lasting Experience. If any issue, please kindly contact us for a solution.
Use InfluxDB only if you need retained metrics
NviWatch’s InfluxDB integration is optional. The project lists command-line options for the InfluxDB URL, organization, bucket, and token, and provides a setup script and dashboard covering memory utilization, GPU utilization, temperature, and power usage. This can extend a live terminal view into stored metrics and visualization, but it also means configuring an external metrics service. Follow the repository’s current setup guidance and apply your own credential and access-control practices; do not reuse example credentials as deployment secrets.
How much weight to give the performance figures
The NviWatch README publishes a resource-use comparison from a test system with 32 GB of RAM. These are project-reported figures, not independently verified benchmarks. The project says every tool except nvitop ran with a 100 ms interval; nvitop used 250 ms because that was its minimum. The README does not identify a separate publication or test date for the benchmark.
Rank #4
- Compatible graphics cards: Any GPU with available drivers on the official NVIDIA or AMD websites can be used. For NVIDIA, this ranges from the top-end RTX 5090 all the way down to the GTX 450. The same applies to AMD graphics cards. (Do not recommend Graphics Cards with Intel)
- Compatible devices: Most Windows10/11/Linux -based laptop, desktop, or console (including the Lenovo Legion Go) with a Thunderbolt port and an Intel/AMD processor can be used (some console with USB4 may require a BIOS update to enable USB4 functionality), Compatible with USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4
- Transfer speed: The device uses the JHL6340 controller, delivering speeds around 22Gbps, compatible with both Win10 and Win11—offering better stability. Perfect for graphics work, video editing, AI art, and AAA gaming
- Flexible 4 power input options (choose one): CPU (4+4-pin), Molex, PD 3.0 (12V Max 60W), or DC5521 (12V Max 120W)
- Packing Includes: PCIE 3.0 x16 eGPU Dock withThunderbolt Port, High-quality Standard Thunderbolt 4 Cable (23.6 inch), a 24Pin Power Jumper Cable
| Tool | Mean / maximum CPU usage | Reported memory |
|---|---|---|
| NviWatch | 0.28% / 10.0% | 18.26 MB |
| nvtop | 0.25% / 20.0% | 20.46 MB |
| nvitop | 0.88% / 10.0% | 41.07 MB |
| gpustat | 3.47% / 49.9% | 33.82 MB |
The table is useful as a record of what the project measured under its stated setup, not as a promise about resource use on your machine. The README also reports package-size figures—NviWatch 1.98 MB, nvitop 4.1 MB, gpustat 3.7 MB, and nvtop 106 KB—but says it used different methods for Python packages and nvtop’s installed size. Those values are not a like-for-like binary-size ranking.
What the evidence does—and does not—show
NviWatch’s documented feature set makes its purpose clear: a terminal interface for NVIDIA GPU metrics and processes, with optional graph views and InfluxDB streaming. Its README also publishes performance data, but the figures come from the project itself, and the cited material does not provide independent benchmark results. Treat the benchmark as context rather than proof that NviWatch will use less CPU or memory than another monitor on your hardware.
Best Value
- 【Upgraded 8" Smart PC Sensor Panel with 1 Click to Get Started Quickly Self-Developed Software】Easy Setup and Get Started Fast. The 8 inch pc case screen works great with our English version software. You can use this with our software as a "second monitor" to view computer's Temperature and usage of CPU, GPU ,RAM, FPS and HDD Data etc. More professional and occupy less resources. COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS 10/11
- 【NEW DESKTOP DISPLAY MODE ADDED !! 】Our screen support switching to desktop mode as a EXTENDED SCREEN.
- 【Dynamic Video Theme Supported & Cool!! 】There are a lot of cool and cute dynamic videos preset in our lcd screen inside pc case, and the pc case screen supports customizing your own dynamic video theme.
- 【Just One Cable Connection & Great Viewing Angles】Our 8inch computer temp monitor only needs one single USB-C cable or one 9pin cable. So it can be mounted completely internally off a USB header without the need of a port on the GPU which is a huge plus to you. No HDMI required, No power required. IPS full view. 8 inch panel screen. Display area: 6.77*4.21". Overall size: 7.52*4.59". Resolution: 1280*800. Thickness: 0.39". Shell material: Aluminum Housing
- 【Simple & Feature-rich】IMAGE & VIDEO UI support & EXTENDED DESKTOP DISPLAY Mode. Customizable screen layout. Horizontal and vertical screen switching. Visual theme editor: drag the mouse arbitrarily to realize your creativity. Energy saving & environmental protection. Solve the problem of broken mouse contact. One-click operation. Auto-Start, turn off the screen automatically and Comfortable eye protection Brightness adjustment. Share your beautiful creations.
Before relying on it, check the repository for current installation and compatibility details. The available documentation establishes the NVML prerequisite and Linux installation options, but not a comprehensive list of supported drivers, GPUs, or distributions.
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