Transmog yourself into an Avenger!
6 blue posts to read before Diablo 3's launch
Cross-realm zones coming soon
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsWhat'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.
Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
bethontheharbor Jan 11th 2012 9:33PM
I've been playing on the PTR with the 64 bit client with x64 windows 7.
Honestly it runs so much smoother than the 32 bit client. I have had zero waits for mobs to appear while flying through elwynn, and no stuttering anywhere.
It was like playing on an ultra smooth console game.
Sterb Jan 12th 2012 8:02AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo
wow Jan 18th 2012 12:00PM
The limits are Address issues. Think of a wall of post office boxes. 32 bit systems can only have 4,000,000,000 or 4 Billon boxes. 64 bit can have 10x18 boxes, or a very big number.
But there is a Window 32 limit in that Windows OS uses 1,500,000,000 of those address as reserved space, they may not have mail (data) in the box, it is just the box is unavailable for use because of future expansion needs of Windows. So, a 4GB 32bit Windows OS will not use more than 3 GB of physical memory, yes, if you have 4 GB there will be 1 GB of vacant, fallow memory (that might be used by a video card but that is another story.)
So, 32bit only has 3GB available to it, the Windows OS will eat 1.5 GB of 3GB system, which leaves less than 1.5 GB available in physical memory address space for WoW. Yes, WoW's memory image looks larger but memory contents are swapped to disc as needed by the OS.
Most new systems are 64 bit chips and CPUs. So, if you have a 4GB 64bit system windows will still eat 1.5GB of the address spaces, but you will have the ability to fill and use all 4GB of physical memory. The 64bit system allow remapping addresses needed to non-physical memory space.
Also a 64 bit CPU can use a larger, faster instruction set that can move twice the data per cpu cycle, that means you get a bigger shovel to dig your hole with along with the ability to dig a much deeper hole.
bluespacecow Jan 14th 2012 12:31AM
The limit for the 32 bit wow client isn't 2 GB
It's closer to 3.5 GB since the wow client now has the large address aware flag on.
wow Jan 18th 2012 12:02PM
yes, but the Limit in Windows 32 bit is still 2GB addressing for programs.
bluespacecow Jan 14th 2012 12:32AM
I hope you guys forgive me for posting links to outside sites but :
Thread made by a fellow MVP on the topic , sort of a FAQ of sorts :
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/2593046791?page=1
Performance tests he's done :
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/3881711856
Independant testing done by www.wow-serbia.com
http://www.wow-serbia.com/vesti/world-of-warcraft/wow-64-bit-client-test-201201093232/