xrandr BadValue error

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I’m actually losing my f\cking mind and about to smash my PC to pieces. I’ve been trying for TWO WHOLE YEARS to switch to Linux and fix this absolute b\tch of a resolution bug. At this point, every time I hear or see the word "resolution", I get triggered.

Every single time I install Ubuntu—or literally ANY Linux distro—it's the exact same story: it just refuses to set the resolution properly.

The ONLY workaround that ever "worked" was nuking the GPU drivers completely. But I obviously can’t do that sh\t because the performance turns into total dogsh\t. I can't even play a 720p video smoothly (which hurts even more because my internet is capped), let alone run heavy 3D stuff like Three.js to stress test the card.

Look, I know my card (GTX 750 Ti) is from 2013 and far from powerful, but it still gets the job done! On Windows, resolution works flawlessly out of the box with zero issues. This is specifically a Linux/xrandr problem with my drivers—xrandr just straight-up rejects every custom mode unless I purge the drivers.

So I need the real sweaty, touch-no-grass, non-showering Linux gods in here—the absolute wizards who live and breathe Linux—to fix this cursed bullsh\*t for me. I swear I hate Linux so much right now, but I keep coming back because I love it, only for xrandr to slap me across the face and tell me to go crawling back to Windows like a dog.

All I want is to hit 1600x1200 just like I seamlessly do on Windows, so I can finally throw Windows into the absolute trash bin where it belongs. I swear to God I'll stop showering like a true Linux neckbeard if someone helps me fix this cursed resolution once and for all.
\----
\\System Information:\\

\- \\OS:\\ Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS (Noble Numbat) x86\_64

\- \\Kernel:\\ 7.0.0-31-generic

\- \\Desktop Environment:\\ GNOME 46.0

\- \\Display Server:\\ X11 (X.Org 21.1.11)

\- \\Motherboard:\\ MSI B450M PRO-VDH MAX (BIOS: B.H0)

\- \\CPU:\\ AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (6 Cores / 12 Threads)

\- \\GPU:\\ NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti

\- \\NVIDIA Driver:\\ 580.173.02

\- \\Current Resolution:\\ 1024x768 @ 60Hz (Output: VGA-0)

\- \\RAM:\\ 16 GB

What is the output of nvidia-smi?

X11 is the past, Wayland is the present.

>Use the nouveau driver.

Not needed for a 750Ti...the 580 driver series still supports that card and works completely fine with wayland.

Bro, I already tried Wayland on Manjaro and got the exact same bug.

And Nouveau completely kills my GPU performance—I can't even stream a 720p video smoothly. That's why I need the proprietary driver on X11.

My monitor doesn't support HDMI unfortunately—it only has VGA, so I'm stuck using VGA.

As for nvidia-smi, it detects the GTX 750 Ti fine on driver 580.173.02 with no errors. Everything works normally except the display resolution/EDID detection over VGA.

Nouveau performance is awful for me. And I already tried driver 580 on Wayland (Manjaro)—it's still locked at 1024x768 over VGA.

No clue why your reply got moderated, but I'd solve this by tossing out the ancient screen and getting one that does HDMI.

You can probably edit the EDID and supply it at boot, and report a bug to Nvidia, but personally I wouldn't bother with it and would just throw money at the problem, if you're fine with such old tech, a used HDMI (or does the GPU have DP?) 1080p/1440p screen should go for cheap.

Also switch to Wayland, you're asking for additional issues otherwise, and if you insist on Ubuntu, make sure you get a Ubuntu Pro subscription (otherwise you don't have full security patch coverage, since Universe gets no guaranteed support without it), and upgrade to 26.04.

Then there is something wrong with your gpu if 2 independent drivers produce the same glitch. Don't you think?