If you want to play at 4K resolution with modern mouse input and stable framerates, you should use a . These engines use the original game files (the .pk3 files) but replace the executable with something modern that never looks for a CD.
Quake 3 Arena Without the Disc: A Quick Guide If you’re looking to fire up Quake 3 Arena Quake 3 Arena No Cd Patch
For many consumers at the time, downloading a No-CD patch wasn't seen as an act of piracy, but rather as an essential utility for convenience. It allowed legitimate owners to keep their expensive retail discs safely in their jewel cases while enjoying the game they paid for. However, using these third-party patches carried risks, including exposure to malware and potential incompatibility with official game updates or anti-cheat software like PunkBuster. The Official Capitulation: Point Release 1.32 The story of the Quake III Arena If you want to play at 4K resolution