Virtualization

Virtualization scripts and config for arch linux hosts and Win 10 guests using KVM, QEMU, VFIO and OVMF.

Hardware

• OS: arch linux running linux-vfio kernel.
• CPU: Intel i5 6600K.
• GPU: Gigabyte Radeon RX 460.
• Mobo: Asus Z170i.
• Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB.
• Memory: 16GB Corsair DDR4.
• Monitor: LG 23EA63.

Software

• linux-vfio
• qemu or qemu-git (recommended)
• virtio-win
• ovmf

Notes

• You can easy simlink the config files using stow -t / boot mkinitcpio and then mkinitcpio -p linux-vfio.
• -smp cores=4 - guest might utilize only one core otherwise.
• -soundhw ac97 - I’m passing mobo audio thus ac97. Download, unzip and install the Realtek AC97 drivers within a guest.
• Use virtio drivers for both block devices and network. For example, the ping went down from 250 to 50.
• Mouse and keyboard passthrough solved the terrible lag problem which was present in emulation mode.
• Make sure virtualization is supported and enabled in your firmware (UEFI). The option was hidden in a submenu in my case.
• As trivial as it sounds, check your cables. Twice.
• Be patient - it took more than 10 minutes for the guest to recognize the GPU.