FPS Fix - ddraw.dll

[Hawk Rawk]

So, i've tried various things to try to fix the FPS after reading some FPS Fix threads here on steam:

• Tried installing some wrappers, mainly dgVoodoo 2: fiddled a bit, still didn't work. Actually, I tried some other wrappers, but the dgVoodoo 2 was the only one i managed to get to work (i didn't try very much);
  
• Lower resolution: it worked a bit, but that is a more general solution and not a specific one that solves de underlying problem.
  
• Compatibility modes and the like: fps stayed the same or got worse;
  
• Fiddling with the GPU software: since my GPU card is an AMD one, i couln't use the NVIDIA specific fixes, but i still could fiddle with some other options. The graphics changed a bit, but the fps problem was still there.

After reading the FPS Fix threads more in depth, i started suspecting that it was actually some problem with how the 3D emulation was handled. So, while using the wrappers, i changed some D3D9 dlls and... nothing changed. The only thing that actually had some effect was changing the ddraw.dll. Most of the times it crashed or didn't work, but still it actually had some real effect.

So, in my desperation, i've searched for some ddraw dlls, and came across this one: https://github.com/narzoul/DDrawCompat/

Of all the things i've tried, it was the only thing that worked. Just place in the same folder as the executable file. My FPS more than doubled in the galaxy map, but funnly enough the FPS in the menu stayed the same or got a bit worse (no real effect in the game). Surprisingly, the lag while acessing the colonies, systems and other lists (including ship designer) got shorter.

Hope it helps some unlucky people.

[mek42]

Would OP please write this as a guide so it doesn't get lost to the ravages of time.

[nikqz]

use version 0.3.2, at the moment on version 0.4.0 fps drops are still high

[Alpharius]

Just downloaded DDrawCompat-v0.4.0

Do I put the ddraw.dll into the root folder of SE5?

I have one of those versions (steam) that's missing dll's...i think

[MysticVoid7x9]

yeah drop it into the root folder of SE 5

[fred]

For me it now also runs now awesome. Had to check the file integrity, used version 3.2 by dropping it into the folder where sev is in, and it runs on 1024x768 (fullscreen) really really smooth (on a 1920 x 1080 display). On windows 10. 60fps always.
You have (I had) to start the setup twice or more, but hten, it starts with the right resolution and makes fun like never before!

[ashbery76]

Wow this actually worked.

[boolybooly]

This also resized the interface and made it far more legible for me at 1080p, so here is my endorsement.

[DutchBoy]

For those struggling to get SE5 running on Windows 11. This helped me solve this error:
Exception in module se5.exe at 00073CC8.
TTXDirectX.StartAll - Create 3D DeviceU
Unrecognized Error

https://www.reddit.com/r/spaceempires/comments/s6q6w2/how_to_run_space_empires_5_steam_version_on/

https://github.com/narzoul/DDrawCompat
I used v0.5.4

My hardware: Ryzen 7600, RX7600 8GB (driver: 24.10.1 (latest ones caused me grief with crashing)). 32G RAM.

Copied the above DDraw.dll to the install folder of the steam version of SE5 (in my case: E:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEmpiresV\SE5\)

Also copied steam.dll from E:\Games\Steam to E:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEmpiresV\SE5\

Then right-click on the se5.exe, properties
Run this program in compatibility mode: Windows XP SP3
Run this program as an administrator

Not sure if all the above is required, but it got the game running for me. Thought I would share and hope someone else can get the oldie but goodie going again.