GMOD Hardware Optimization - Does 64-bit make a difference?

[specify_]

Garry's Mod is one of Valve's popular games in Steam, and is mostly known for its poor optimization for today's systems which mostly compromise of 8 threads or more. By default, Garry's Mod runs on 32-bit, but there is a 64-bit version of Garry's Mod you probably haven't heard of. Simply put, it's a much more optimized version of Garry's Mod, and it's suppose to utilize more computer resources to the game. But does it make a difference?

Here, I have a benchmark that compares the difference in framerate (32-bit vs 64-bit) in gm_construct. For all of these tests, I will be using a Ryzen 7 2700X with an overclocked GTX 1050 Ti. Garry's Mod is not really GPU-bound, so atrong graphics card like an RTX 2060 is unnecessary. In addition, many of the players in the Garry's Mod community have low-end systems. The Ryzen 7 2700X has a similar IPC performance of an i5-9400F, so these benchmarks should represent a lot of budget PCs out there. In these benchmarks, I will be using vocabulary not many people will know such as 1% Lows and 0.1% Lows. If you want to learn about them, here is a video that explains what 1% & 0.1% Lows are. Credits to Bitwit for making the video.

 

 

Here, we see around a 26.4% performance increase in average FPS with 64-bit Garry's Mod. In addition, the 1% and 0.1% lows are much more higher in 64-bit than in 32-bit. This was done on gm_construct at high graphical settings. However, this is not the only benchmark so far.

Out of curiosity, I decided to compare the famous -threads with 64-bit to see if there were any vast improvements in terms of performance. Average framerate didn't happen to change at all; only at around 4.24% (2-10 frames difference). Surprisingly, the 0.1% lows were consistent, but the -threads 8 had the worst 1% low out of all the three with around 10-20 fps difference.

Multicore was enabled with the console command gmod_mcore_test 1, cl_threaded_bone_setup 2, and mat_queue_mode -1. It still seems Garry's Mod is not that resource hungry when it comes to cores. If you have a quad-core (8 threads) or duo-core (4 threads) processor, you won't have to invest more on a better CPU if you can't get good framerate. If you can't run Garry's Mod on high graphical settings, you will need to get a better GPU instead such as a GTX 750 Ti if you're only going to play Garry's Mod and other Valve games. In addition, a better GPU will guarantee you better framerate in triple A-titled games such as Rise of the Tomb Raider and Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

 

 

 

 

Since this is a 64-bit & 32-bit comparison test on zombie survival, I went on the server to compare the framerate. Apparently, 64-bit is somewhat buggy and unstable which left itself with much more worst 0.1% and 1% lows than the 32-bit version. However, both the 64-bit and 32-bit are playing above 60 fps which is fine for most users. However, 144hz users like me would prefer the 64-bit version over the 32-bit version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here again, the 64-bit version gains a huge performance impact in framerate (40-50 FPS difference; 63.15% difference). The 1% low is better than the 32-bit which most users won't mind, but the 0.1% low is slightly worst.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is another map in zombie survival, and it's pretty old and classic. In here, we see there's very little difference in average framerate, but 1% lows are much more better in the 64-bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In short, 64-bit build is unstable, but has greater fps than the 32-bit build.

 

How to get 64-bit Garry's Mod

It's pretty self explanatory:

1. Open Steam and go to Garry's Mod in the Steam Library

 

 

2. Right click Garry's Mod and go to Properties

 

 

3. Go to Betas and select x86-64 - Testing 64-bit builds

 

 

4. Done! Enjoy 64-bit!

[Kevinyock]

A very nice and digestible explanation about 64 bit gmod. Well done. There isn't really much I could probably add to this beside that If you have more threads(say you decide to get the threadripper or the new zen 2+ cores), it makes compiling maps a whole lot quicker.

[Old Bill]

@specify_ Thanks for the explanation, it is more than good but then I have a question. You have tested this on your side (client-side), let us say you have chosen the 64-bit option for the game  then joined the server will it make the same impact?

Edited July 30, 2019 by Old Bill

[specify_]

1 hour ago, Old Bill said:

@specify_ Thanks for the explanation, it is more than good but then I have a question. You have tested this on your side (client-side), let us say you have chosen the 64-bit option for the game  then joined the server will it make the same impact?

It should make an impact if you join the server. For the zs maps, I joined the HG server to see any performance impacts. The zs maps alexg_motel, intercity_mall, and hamlet town were all on the server with around 60-85 players. gm_construct, however, was tested on singleplayer.

[Snowyamur]

Well-written guide. Deserving of a pin, but I can't do it myself.

[scrungus]

Very useful info, gave me a noticeable performance increase. Silly note: If you opt into the beta, you may not be able to launch gmod by right-clicking the Steam icon from your taskbar. You may now have to launch it from your library directly.

[MrRustles]

This is a nice post, I switched to the 64 bit A  couple days ago and it feels a bit better, this needs more awareness.