Scaler for old DOS PC

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ldeveraux
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Scaler for old DOS PC

Post by ldeveraux »

I've recently been restoring my PCs from the mid 90s that use DOS, WIN 311, and Windows 98. They all have era appropriate GPUs, the DOS ones output I think 320x200. I have them going into my 1080p monitor through a generic VGA to HDMI converter that I found years ago work well with most inputs. While it's great for the Windows 98 PC (I think 1024×768), the display struggles with the lower resolutions.

My question is whether there was a gaming scaler that would work perfectly for this situation? In my pile of goodies I have a Framemeister, original OSSC, GBS-C and likely other scalers I can't remember. I was thinking of using the GBS-C as it's DE9 in/out, though ultimately It should convert to HDMI for the monitor.
PC Engine Fan X!
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Re: Scaler for old DOS PC

Post by PC Engine Fan X! »

I know the older Retrotink 2X can upscale the 320 x 240 resolution to 640p but am not sure if it can accept the 320 x 200 resolution -- you're more than welcome to try it out and see if it works or not.

If all else fails, it'd be necessary to use an "old-school" multi-sync VGA/SVGA CRT monitor that can accept the 320 x 200 resolution at the very minimum -- they were still being sold back in 1995-1996 era and could buy the largest 21" sized CRT screen at that current point in time (but at the expense of making sure you had ample afforded "real estate" space-wise to accommodate it as they were huge, of course). The smaller multi-sync CRT monitors came in the 14", 15" and 17" sizes as well (in addition to the previously mentioned 21" sized ones).

Here's a cheap-ass one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/307042681326?_ ... R9ywpvzmZw

Both the Retrotink Scart 2X and Retrotink 5X Pro have the Scart input but would need a VGA to Scart adapter namely this one: https://castlemaniagames.com/products/r ... eq=uniform

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Last edited by PC Engine Fan X! on Mon Jul 06, 2026 2:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Fudoh
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Re: Scaler for old DOS PC

Post by Fudoh »

None of your PCs actually output 320x200. They all have a minimum output of 31khz, which means 320x200 is output as 640x400@70Hz instead.

Cheapest and easiest solution is an Extron DSC 301, which will happily accept VGA in all common output resolutions and upscale brilliantly to Full HD or 1200p.
ldeveraux
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Re: Scaler for old DOS PC

Post by ldeveraux »

Fudoh wrote: Mon Jul 06, 2026 2:18 pm None of your PCs actually output 320x200. They all have a minimum output of 31khz, which means 320x200 is output as 640x400@70Hz instead.

Cheapest and easiest solution is an Extron DSC 301, which will happily accept VGA in all common output resolutions and upscale brilliantly to Full HD or 1200p.
Ooh, I completely forgot I also have a DSC 301 HD, is it better for what I need than the GBS-C? Looks like I'll give this a try at least.
PC Engine Fan X!
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Re: Scaler for old DOS PC

Post by PC Engine Fan X! »

Here's one but the shipping from the UK is mucho expensive: https://www.ebay.com/itm/406948806639?_ ... R_z_64XnZw

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Fudoh
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Re: Scaler for old DOS PC

Post by Fudoh »

Ooh, I completely forgot I also have a DSC 301 HD, is it better for what I need than the GBS-C?
absolutely. The GBC is really meant for 15khz sources (like 240p/480i consoles). The Extron was built for classic PC video sources.
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