Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

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Mailman
Posts: 63
Joined: September 6th, 2019, 8:43 am

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by Mailman »

dwg wrote: February 3rd, 2026, 11:55 am I had some discussions with the developer.

Yes the wrapper does do scaling it has a number of options for the way it is done, this is set through DisplayFilter.

As you have found the wrapper can stretch output or use black bars. The consensus seems to be to set the mode in Links that has the same aspect ratio as your monitor as that usually has the best outcome. I am referring to full screen mode naturally.

This wrapper is working much better for me than dgVoodoo. I spent about 10 hours using it with "problem" courses and all worked well. This was with an Intel Embedded GPU. The one thing I cannot experiment with though is high res monitors, mine top out at 1920 x 1200.

I briefly tried it on my Nvidia system but saw no real benefit there.
I'll have a look at the differences (if any) that I see using DisplayFilter. :thumbup: Ideally I'd like something in ths wrapper that provides the 'sharpen' facility that Nvidia drivers can impart to the display so I shall try the different DisplayFilter settings. I was surprised that I was able to get Links to load with the wrapper having set the display setting set to mode 15 (1920x1200) rather than mode mode 14 (1920x1080). Setting the DisplayAspectRatio to 'display' in my case scaled irrespective of the registry mode setting.

As you can guess I'm more bothered about getting Links to run without restarting :laugh: Getting the eye candy configured is a secondary consideration. :cheers1:
AMD Ryzen 9600x, 32 GB system RAM, Nvidia 4600Ti GPU, OS installed on 2TB NVMe drive, secondary 500GB NVme drive, + SATA 500 GB SSD drive and 1 TB HDD. Windows 11(24H2) Display res 2560x1440 (Links on mode 15 resolution 1920x1200 upscaled)
dwg
Posts: 528
Joined: July 26th, 2024, 5:59 am
Location: Australia

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by dwg »

Your problem is a bit of a head scratcher.

My discussions with the developer really was around the working of Links with resolutions higher than what Links provides for itself, from what he says it should really just work and it should not be a problem.
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Guitarzan
Posts: 139
Joined: August 26th, 2019, 11:14 pm
Location: London, Ont.

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by Guitarzan »

Wow, thanks for this! It works in Links 2001 as well! :thumbup:
Colin Jones
Posts: 176
Joined: January 29th, 2021, 5:59 pm
Location: Gold Coast, Australia

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by Colin Jones »

What's the preferred method for removing/disabling Dgvoodoo?
Completed: Golf Club of Houston (Redstone); Banff Springs 2025 (Thompson 18 and Tunnel Mountain); Mauna Kea 2024; Royal Sydney Golf Club. Working on: New South Wales Golf Course (March 2026, hoping)
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Guitarzan
Posts: 139
Joined: August 26th, 2019, 11:14 pm
Location: London, Ont.

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by Guitarzan »

Out of curiosity I tried it on LS2000 but no luck. That has been my Holy Grail seeing a working classic LS era game operating on new systems. Amazing work by the developer and so nice to see things still being developed for old game. Thanks a lot!
dwg
Posts: 528
Joined: July 26th, 2024, 5:59 am
Location: Australia

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by dwg »

Colin,

Removing the dgVoodoo files from the Links program Directory is the best way. I just created a folder to hold them elsewhere and moved them all into it. To reinstate dgVoodoo I then just remove the DDrawcompat file from the directory and copy the dgVoodoo files back.

It is not the best of ideas to mix wrappers.
Colin Jones
Posts: 176
Joined: January 29th, 2021, 5:59 pm
Location: Gold Coast, Australia

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by Colin Jones »

Thanks mate - excuse the stupid question (and I have searched the forum looking for the answer) but which are the files that I need to remove?
Completed: Golf Club of Houston (Redstone); Banff Springs 2025 (Thompson 18 and Tunnel Mountain); Mauna Kea 2024; Royal Sydney Golf Club. Working on: New South Wales Golf Course (March 2026, hoping)
dwg
Posts: 528
Joined: July 26th, 2024, 5:59 am
Location: Australia

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by dwg »

The first 2 may or may not be in the Links program folder, it does not matter if they are left in any case. These are the configuration program and the configuration file.

dgVoodoo.conf
dgVoodooCpl.exe

The next 4 are significant and should be removed, these are the actual wrapper files.

D3D8.dll
D3D9.dll
D3DImm.dll
DDraw.dll

The real significant ones for Links are D3Dlmm and DDraw
Colin Jones
Posts: 176
Joined: January 29th, 2021, 5:59 pm
Location: Gold Coast, Australia

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by Colin Jones »

:cheers1: Des
Completed: Golf Club of Houston (Redstone); Banff Springs 2025 (Thompson 18 and Tunnel Mountain); Mauna Kea 2024; Royal Sydney Golf Club. Working on: New South Wales Golf Course (March 2026, hoping)
Colin Jones
Posts: 176
Joined: January 29th, 2021, 5:59 pm
Location: Gold Coast, Australia

Re: Links 2003 receives improved GPU compatibility

Post by Colin Jones »

The course looks more detailed/sharper, particularly with the mid textures.
Just my imagination?
Completed: Golf Club of Houston (Redstone); Banff Springs 2025 (Thompson 18 and Tunnel Mountain); Mauna Kea 2024; Royal Sydney Golf Club. Working on: New South Wales Golf Course (March 2026, hoping)
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