What's the difference between a 32- and 64-bit client?
by Mathew McCurley 
Jan 11th 2012 at 1:00PM
In order to use a 64-bit client of WoW, you need to have a 64-bit operating system on your computer. The main difference between 32- and 64-bit operating systems (usually Windows) is that one deals with information in a more efficient way. Information in a 32-bit operating system is dealt with in pieces of information that are 32 bits wide, while 64-bit operating systems deal with information that is 64 bits wide -- double the alternative. With this larger bit structure comes better efficiency and the ability to use or "see" more RAM in your computer. 32-bit systems can only use 4 gigabytes of RAM and your 32-bit WoW client can only use 2 gigabytes, whereas the amount a 64-bit system can use is almost unlimited.
While we don't fully know exactly what improvements to the game will come with the 64-bit client, we can assume that more efficient processing power and the ability to stack more RAM for WoW to use might give some players a big frame rate boost and better performance. Lifehacker has an old article about how to tell if you have a 32- or 64-bit operation system.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
smartazjb0y Jan 11th 2012 1:11PM
I've been reading that if you only have 4 gigs of Ram it's not worth it to use the 64-bit client? I have a laptop that came with Windows 7 64-bit and has 4 gigs of RAM, so it would be better just to use the 32-bit client still?
iKenndac Jan 11th 2012 1:15PM
These days, if your system can run a 64-bit OS, you should run a 64-bit OS. There are very very few exceptions to this rule, but they're mainly for backwards-compatibility. 64-bit operating systems can run 32-bit applications just fine.
Mugutu Jan 11th 2012 1:18PM
If you multitask while playing WoW, you may be better off with the 32-bit version. WoW in a 64-bit environment will actively try to use more than 2GB of RAM, meaning your other processes won't have as much available to use. For example, on my Mac I currently have 4GB of RAM, and when WoW is running it uses its 2GB. There's another GB as wired memory, meaning it can't leave RAM, which leaves 1GB for all my other processes. Normally this isn't a problem as I only have iTunes actively running in the background, but if I start trying to run Ventrilo, Safari, Mail, etc it can get strained. If I were running 64-bit WoW that 1GB would shrink quite a bit, probably to near zero.
Luckily for myself I just ordered another 4GB of RAM so I'll be switching to 64-bit the moment it's released (even if there's no Mac version, as I have an Ubuntu partition).
MysticalOS Jan 11th 2012 1:33PM
there is a common misconception about the 32-bit wow being stuck at 2 gigs though. That was true up until 3.3.5 but no further, i'm sure some remember always crashing from out of memory errors in 3.x at end of expansion when you got a good enough computer to crank it up to ultra then hit some highly detailed zones or fights
wow 4.0.1 and higher enabled the memory flag for wow to use 3.5 gigs of ram however. I've seen my 32 bit wow use as much as 2.41gigs on just High settings with very minimal mods (lua memory only 8megs), this isn't even ultra.
You also have to realize that 32 bit apps on a 64 bit OS have to load additional resources for compatability. You lose minor performance going through those compatability apis instead of a true native 64 bit app on the 64 bit system. That is where we see the gain really. The extra memory we are gaining with 64 bit client at the moment isn't all that relevent, sine i've yet to see a wow to date reach 3.5 gigs anyways. That will no doubt change in MoP though which is probably what incited this change. Any system running only 4 gigs of physical ram needs to update though cause they have been too low even for 32 bit wow since 4.x. Considering wow can easily use 2.5gigs by itself, and OS uses a sizable chunk add in things like itunes or twitter or aim in background, and you've been hitting Virtual memory for quite some time now. I strongly recommend anyone on 4 gigs of ram to go at least 8. 8 is almost a standard minimum these days for a gamer, people in professional production, even more.
shawn Jan 11th 2012 1:34PM
It is good news for (mostly) everyone, but I think it will definitely help out those who run WoW through wine, or similar, on Linux.
ladymcse Jan 11th 2012 1:40PM
The largest difference, is that in a 32-bit operating system using a 32-bit client, the operating system is maxed at 4gb of memory, while your client (WoW) is maxed at 2gb of memory allowable. (Windows does this to ensure that Windows, always has enough to run and your client cant hog all available memory.)
In a 64bit Operating system running a 64-bit Client, if you have more than 4gb of memory, your operating system registers it all. Your client, is also NOT restricted to 2GB, meaning a 16GB memory computer, can use all 16GB.
That's a huge difference, and for memory intensive games like WoW, a huge benefit.
mitch_b_666 Jan 11th 2012 6:02PM
Just gonna post this here for people to see.
http://www.wow-serbia.com/vesti/world-of-warcraft/wow-64-bit-client-test-201201093232/
There's an english translation after the Serbian text, and it might give you an idea as to some of the numbers we're talking about here.
ericshiroma Jan 11th 2012 1:12PM
Similar article for mac: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3696
Eternauta Jan 11th 2012 1:18PM
I have exactly 4 GB's of RAM, and a 64-bit OS.
Should I use the 32 bit or the 64 bit client?
Aaron Jan 11th 2012 1:20PM
That question isn't possible to answer without actually testing the two clients, but blizzard will probably recommend the 64 bit. My guess is any improvement will be slight.
Aaron Jan 11th 2012 1:25PM
Clarification: any improvement will be slight since you only have 4gb of ram.
Eternauta Jan 11th 2012 3:01PM
Thanks Aaron.
I was going to add 4 gigs more of RAM, anyways =)
DonSerrot Jan 11th 2012 1:24PM
When I upgraded to a new laptop I went for a 64-bit system expecting it to be better with WoW outright, I even upgraded the RAM from the included 4 GB to 8 GB and was somewhat dissapointed when WoW didn't do much better. Now I know why. I can not wait for this to go live!
ladymcse Jan 11th 2012 2:20PM
Actually, this may have more to do with your video card, than with the memory, but certainly a 64 bit client with improve things for you.
I bought a new laptop as well, 8gigs of ram as opposed to 4, but i had a mid-high grade mobile adapter put in it. FPS increase from average 30 FPS to 132FPS in Org. It was all in the video for me. just fyi.
Wraithanne Jan 11th 2012 1:39PM
If you're on a Mac running Snow Leopard or Lion(10.6 or 10.7), you're on a 64-bit OS already. The new app should benefit you as well.
hartra344 Jan 11th 2012 2:03PM
I think they said it wouldn't be ready for Mac OS yet.
lifebinder Jan 11th 2012 1:51PM
Isn't the 64-bit executable only for Windows at this time?
bluespacecow Jan 14th 2012 12:26AM
There is a 64 bit mac client now :
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/3881922612
bluespacecow Jan 14th 2012 12:27AM
There is a 64 bit mac client available for testing as well :
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/3881922612
bluespacecow Jan 14th 2012 12:29AM
Oh noes double post!