64-bit World of Warcraft game client now available for testing
by Chase Hasbrouck 
Jan 9th 2012 at 2:00PM
Now, before you get too excited, realize that this isn't a panacea. If you're running a 32-bit OS, you won't be able to use this at all, and a 64-bit system with limited memory (say, 4GB of RAM or less) may actually see decreased performance due to the increased memory usage of 64-bit programs. Systems with more memory, however, will be able to cache more program data in RAM. This should help speed up things that require large reads from the hard drive, such as changing zones, and may increase stability for those who run lots of addons.
A 64-bit client is now available for use with the 4.3.2 PTR. You can download it at the link below, unzip it into your PTR directory, and then run the executable to test it.
• The 64-bit client is being distributed separately from the PTR as it is not yet supported for use with World of Warcraft.
• This can only be used with the 4.3.2 PTR, it is not to be used with the live version of the game.
• A Mac version is not available yet, though we are working on one and plan for it to be available in the near future.
• The game's built in voice chat does not currently work in the 64-bit client.
• The 64-bit client is being distributed separately from the PTR as it is not yet supported for use with World of Warcraft.
• This can only be used with the 4.3.2 PTR, it is not to be used with the live version of the game.
• A Mac version is not available yet, though we are working on one and plan for it to be available in the near future.
• The game's built in voice chat does not currently work in the 64-bit client.
Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Joseph Smith Jan 9th 2012 2:07PM
"• The game's built in voice chat does not currently work in the 64-bit client"
You mean it does in the 32 bit client?
RS Jan 9th 2012 2:35PM
Touché!
Ez Jan 9th 2012 5:03PM
That is why everyone uses Vent! Wow!
Tri Jan 10th 2012 8:53AM
Haha the piece of *censored* that is the ingame chat has NEVER worked xD
Chris Gonzalez Jan 9th 2012 2:09PM
The game's built in voice chat doesn't currently work anyway.
But I digress; this is awesome. Finally, a huge game supporting 64 bit. Most programs/games don't even bother, and tweaking WoW like this so that it can effectively use the extra RAM from 64 bit systems makes me happy.
Shela Monster Jan 9th 2012 2:08PM
I'm hoping with this addition, and perhaps with a few tweaks to the WTF configs, we'll be able to set the amount of RAM a bit higher than just whatever is default for the 64-bit to run on.
I'm guessing that with 24Gb of RAM, I can just run everything from memory!
:D
DonSerrot Jan 9th 2012 2:43PM
24? Dayum, I'm on 8GB RAM myself. I can't wait for this to go live though!
Bumblebee Jan 9th 2012 2:08PM
"The game's built in voice chat does not currently work in the 64-bit client."
I'm sure people are devastated.
lazymangaka Jan 9th 2012 2:11PM
With 64-bit OSs and heaps of RAM becoming the norm, hopefully this will help bring WoW more in line with the performance we expect from modern programs.
Miranas Jan 9th 2012 2:39PM
Oh I am glad for the 64 bit build to be sure, but this will not result in revolutionary performance gains. It does future proof wows platform for its foreseeable future though. Easier performance gains can be had by installing to a solid state drive and making sure your addons are reasonable and compatible.
Tokkar Jan 9th 2012 2:13PM
Not related to the 64-bit client, but maybe someone can help me anyway.
Whenever I launch WoW, my graphics driver crashes. I'll make it as far as the login screen, maybe even be fortunate enough to get in game and check mail, but then >BOOM< - it even does this when I'm using the map viewer for my comic.
I've tried reinstalling the driver, I even tried a roll-back, I've scanned for viruses and malware and cleaned up the registry, but it still does this.
I believe it's the graphics card itself finally crapping out on me - can anyone confirm? Or is this something that a full reformat and reinstall might fix? I don't have any money to spend on a new card, and I'm worried that it might just give out altogether and I won't be able to make the comic anymore.
Suggestions?
Thanks in advance, and sorry about the non-related topic.
Buran Jan 9th 2012 2:24PM
If you have an NVidia card, install the most recent reference driver from nvidia.com instead of the manufacturer-specific driver that may have shipped with the board. Doing this solves many problems with NVidia cards.
I've had trouble with ATI hardware and software in the past, so I haven't run an ATI card in years, but I do know you can get the drivers from http://www.atitech.ca or http://www.ati.com (I think the former is just a forward now).
Drakkenfyre Jan 9th 2012 2:34PM
Crack open your case, take a can of compressed air, and blow out the fan and heatsink while it's off.
If it's not a faulty driver related problem as described above, or the card itself dying, it could be overheating.
Tirrimas Jan 9th 2012 3:33PM
There's probably a goblin in there somewhere. I'd go with Drakkenfyre's suggestion, then check the airflow around the outside of the case.
I also second the suggestion to go to the manufacturer's website for drivers. For some reason, Windows Update would screw up my nVidia card every time. I have an ATI one now, and haven't seen any issues with it. *knocks wood*
Tokkar Jan 9th 2012 9:52PM
Thanks, gang!
I looked into the matter - cleaned the vents thoroughly, removed and re-seated the card, uninstalled the drivers AND chipset completely and installed the set from the manufacturer...and it still crashed; however, I put a desk fan set on high blowing directly on the card and it was fine, so yeah, there's some weird serious heat going on there. Stupid Dell piece of shiiiiiiiiii.....
Well, at least I can play now. I just have to freeze my feet while I'm doing it! :-) Although I WILL say that an aux fan is most likely doable, and a hell of a lot cheaper than a new card...and definitely better-priced than a whole new computer! Sigh...wtb good-paying job.
Scott Jan 9th 2012 2:17PM
I wonder how the 64 bit client will affect people like me who have it installed on an SSD. My load times are already fast, would a 64 bit change make it even faster?
Buran Jan 9th 2012 2:22PM
The difference that will be most noticeable is that a 64-bit application has 4GB of memory to work with, up from 2 on a 32-bit application. You will see fewer crashes due to OUT OF MEMORY errors that occur due to the application not releasing memory when it should and hitting the 2GB limit.
A 32-bit OS can't see more than 4GB of RAM; a 64-bit version of Windows has a much higher memory ceiling depending on what OS you have. (Windows 7's ceilings are measured in the hundreds or thousands of gigabytes).
With applications ever more hungry for resources (disk space, processor power, graphics rendering power, and memory, 32-bit apps and operating systems are increasingly going away. Within five years, I think seeing an application ship only as a 32-bit app will be considered strange, and installers will install 64-bit applications if they detect a compatible system.
wybenga42 Jan 9th 2012 2:29PM
Does the 64-bit client allow the game to access more than 1 CPU core?
Drakkenfyre Jan 9th 2012 2:38PM
The 32-bit already does. However it does not take full advantage of all cores, and never will. It would require an engine rewrite to do that.
StarCraft 2 only fully utilizes 2 cores. Hoping WoW will ever fully utilize 3 or 4 is never going to happen.
Aceman67 Jan 9th 2012 2:46PM
WoW already utilizes multiple cores.