EndeavourOS Ganymede ISO: KDE Plasma 6.5 & Enhanced NVIDIA Support

Introduction

The EndeavourOS team has unveiled their latest stable ISO release, codenamed Ganymede, marking the project's first major update in eight months. This significant refresh brings users a completely updated Arch Linux foundation alongside cutting-edge desktop components and improved hardware compatibility.

Core Package Updates

Ganymede ships with KDE Plasma 6.5.3 as its flagship desktop environment, providing users with the latest features and stability improvements from the KDE community. The release includes Calamares 25.11 installer, Firefox 145 web browser, Linux kernel 6.17 for enhanced hardware support, Mesa 25.2 graphics libraries, xorg-server 21.1.20, and nvidia-utils 580.105 for comprehensive graphics compatibility.

Enhanced NVIDIA Driver Management

One of the standout improvements in Ganymede is the refined NVIDIA driver handling system. The installer now intelligently detects compatible hardware and automatically selects between proprietary nvidia drivers and the open-source nvidia variant. This streamlined approach ensures optimal performance whether running the live environment or completing a full installation. For users exploring different desktop environment options, this automatic detection simplifies the setup process significantly.

Wireless and Boot Considerations

Broadcom wireless modules have been disabled by default to prevent potential conflicts, with the system prompting users to enable them only when compatible hardware is detected. The team notes a known issue where Windows 11 may fail to boot when installed on separate drives using systemd boot, though GRUB users and same-drive installations remain unaffected. Those using various boot manager solutions should consider this compatibility note during dual-boot configurations.

Desktop Environment Refinements

Beyond the core updates, Ganymede introduces updated icon naming standards for GTK desktops and transitions to the Qt6 virtual keyboard for SDDM in Plasma sessions. The LXDE and i3 editions receive smaller but meaningful adjustments, maintaining the project's commitment to providing multiple desktop options. The integration of modern system info tool capabilities helps users better understand their installation's configuration.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

• Latest KDE Plasma 6.5.3 with modern features
• Automatic NVIDIA driver selection for optimal compatibility
• Updated Arch Linux base with recent package versions
• Improved hardware detection and driver management
• Multiple desktop environment options available
• Streamlined installation process with Calamares
• Enhanced graphics support with Mesa 25.2

Disadvantages

• Broadcom wireless requires manual activation
• Potential Windows 11 boot issues with systemd
• Long wait between major ISO releases
• Limited testing period for some new components

Conclusion

EndeavourOS Ganymede represents a substantial step forward for the Arch-based distribution, delivering current software packages alongside thoughtful hardware compatibility improvements. The enhanced NVIDIA handling and updated desktop components make this release particularly appealing for users seeking a modern Linux experience with excellent out-of-the-box hardware support. Available for clean installations with seamless upgrades via pacman -Syu, Ganymede continues EndeavourOS's tradition of user-friendly Arch Linux accessibility.