How to get DOOM 3 to run in custom resolution (1920 x 1080)

Earlier this year I dusted of my copy of DOOM 3, remembering the nice graphics, but when I installed it the game didn’t support my graphics mode (1920 x 1080) So I tracked down a way to edit the custom mode so it would work.

Problem:

Doom not running in correct resolution

Solution:

Find the “DoomConfig.cfg” file found usually in:  C:\Program Files (x86)\DOOM 3\base.

Open the file and edit the following entires:

  • r_mode
  • r_customHeight
  • r_customWidth
  • r_aspectratio

And modify them as follows:

  • r_mode -1 – means putting into custom mode
  • r_customHeight 1080 – means custom resolution height
  • r_customWidth 1920 – means custom resolution width
  • r_aspectratio 1 – this changes the aspect ratio 0 is for a 4:3 display, 1 a 16:9 display (widescreen) and 2 a 16:10 display

They should look like this in the config file:

Doom config file

The aspect ratio is found near the bottom of the file. Then you can enjoy graphics like this:

Lovely jubbly!

For further reading on tweaking DOOM 3 I recommend:

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/doom3/

Please note: If you change anything in the graphics options in game, then the custom settings will be lost and you will have to re-edit the cfg file.

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3 Responses to How to get DOOM 3 to run in custom resolution (1920 x 1080)

  1. Chris Parsons says:

    Hi, I’m trying to edit the config file in my program files using notepad, but when I try to save the file, I get an “access denied” window, and there’s nothing more I can do. Can you help me? I need to get this game in the proper resolution, it’s getting proper annoying.

    I’m running Windows 7 64bit, and as far as I know I am the administrator, why is access being denied?

    Thanks.

    • admin says:

      Hi Chris, I also use Windows 7 64 bit, you could try turning off the UAC in control panel. Go to: control panel/user accounts/change user account control settings (UAC) and set to Never notify. Also make sure you don’t edit the file while doom is running.

      Let me know how you get on.

      -ThePcMechanic.

    • seanx says:

      If you want to edit the DoomConfig.cfg file, without changing UAC settings, then you can also copy the DoomConfig.cfg file to another directory (outside of program files), edit the file and copy it back to the Doom 3 base directory, overwriting the original file.

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