If you install a kernel from the Arch repos, DKMS will build the kernel module for you automatically as well as the initial RAM disk and boot entries. Kernel upgrades take a little longer but you do not have to do anything manually.

It will work with custom kernels too but, if you do build your own kernel, you have to make sure a couple of options are selected.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA

There is so much misinformation and bad advice in this thread.

Thankfully, there are a few that correctly just say install nvidia-580xx-dkms

You can install new kernels after that. There is nothing to manually manage. They do not have to be LTS.

You can install NVIDIA-580-DKMS from the AUR. Problem solved.

In my experience, EndeavourOS works best on these old Macs.

People report good results with Mint as well but I get the impression they have to jump though more hoops to get decent WiFi.