Windows on an Intel Mac: WoW, what a difference
by Jennie Lees 
Apr 7th 2006 at 12:00PM
We've already seen WoW on an Intel Mac thanks to our resident Mac-user, but he's managed to go one better. Previously we saw the OS X Universal Binary version running at 50-60fps; running WoW under Windows on the same hardware, maximising all the graphics settings, there's actually a gain in framerate to the tune of 6fps.
Those of us with PCs creaking along on the default settings are justified in being envious. While keeping up with the vast succession of new PC games requires regular upgrades and a killer gaming rig, if your free time is taken over by WoW then you obviate the need to upgrade -- but miss out on the fantastic framerates such upgrades can afford.
Filed under: Odds and ends
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kang Apr 7th 2006 1:26PM
I wonder what UI mod he's using to get all those extra bars. Is it just parts of Bar Options I haven't messed with?
Lummox Apr 7th 2006 2:10PM
Part of the performance gain in all likelihood comes from WoW for Windows utilizing DirectX, whereas WoW for Mac using OpenGL. OpenGL on the Mac is good, but far less optimized than DirectX has been over the years. Still, it's good to not if I ever really really really wanted to play a Windows-only game on my MBP, I could do so via Boot Camp and not see any degradation in performance. Now, convincing me to install Windows is a different story...
@Kang: Yes, with the default Blizzard UI, you can add two additional bars on top of your main action bar, as well as two bars on the right. It's in your Interface Options.
Simon Apr 8th 2006 2:46AM
Lummox, as I understand he's not running the Mac client. He's running the Win client on Mac hardware. So, it's still using DirectX and he's getting a 6fps *gain* compared to the Mac client. So, sorry, but the Mac client is not running better, it's the Mac hardware that does the trick ...
Jennie, *where* does he get the 50-60 fps you talk about? In desolated areas with noone around or in the AH on a busy weekend? In the scene shown in that screenshot up there, I'ld get 50-60 fps on my rig just the same.
Kasumi-Astra Apr 8th 2006 8:57AM
The hardware is the same. He's running WoW on the same hardware, therefore the hardware cannot be giving any advantage. The advantage is given by DirectX, which is a much more capable technology than OpenGL because it only has to run on one platform. DirectX is supported by developers a lot more as well.
Apparently it is possible to run WoW under OpenGL on Windows. This will probably mean a much fairer test and a much cloeser competition between the two.
I dual booted my Macintosh last night and installed Half Life 2. The short answer is that Windows allows a much bigger boost in rendering power, but OS X is a far more convenient OS with faster loading, switching between applications, support for hardware and software and requires far less maintenance.
So, for me, native Macintosh games still have the edge, but I will definately be going out to buy some PC only games now.