DXVK v2.5.3 released with more improvements for Windows games on Linux

Developer Philip Rebohle has released DXVK version 2.5.3 bringing more improvements for this tool that translates Direct3D 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 to Vulkan. DXVK is included as part of Valve's Proton.

This release includes a tweak for people using it on Windows too. As noted in the changelog:

In order to address feedback regarding issues with variable refresh rate displays, performance and HDR, exclusive full-screen mode was reintroduced as an option. It remains disabled by default, but users can enable it by setting dxvk.allowFse = True in the configuration file.

As usual, this option has no effect on non-Windows platforms.

Why would someone use it on Windows? Especially for older games, it can end up giving a nice performance increase on modern hardware. Don't you just love open source? Everyone can benefit!

Apart from that here's all the general fixes and improvements:

• Fixed a regression that would cause severe rendering issues in many D3D8 and D3D9 games that use fixed-function rendering. (PR #4533)
• Fixed invalid shader code generation for certain rare texture operations in D3D11. This fixes a potential crash in TopSpin 2k25. (PR #4576)
• Fixed a potential issue with handling NaN tessellation factors in D3D11 hull shaders.
• Fixed an issue with D3D9 shader validation that would cause valid shader code to be rejected in some situations. (#4576, PR #4590)
• Improved the debugging experience when DXVK_DEBUG=markers is set. (PR #4589, PR #4591)
• Arcana Heart 3 Love Max!!!!!: Enabled 60 FPS limit to work around a game issue on Steam Deck OLED. (PR #4566)
• Bright Memory: Worked around an issue where the game would prioritize integrated graphics over dedicated Intel GPUs. (PR #4605)
• Far Cry 5: Worked around an issue that would cause terrain to be invisible on Intel GPUs. (PR #4604)
• Next: Fixed a shader-related issue that would cause flickering objects on some drivers. (PR #4603)
• Max Payne 3: Enabled strict float emulation to work around broken rendering in D3D9 mode. (PR #4611)
• The Hurricane of the Varstray -Collateral hazard-: Enabled 60 FPS limit to work around game issues when running in windowed mode. (#4568, PR #4573)

Pictured - Far Cry 5

Want to know how to update DXVK? Check out our official guide which we'll be keeping up to date.