Hello!
This is a step by step guide on how to properly upgrade your client graphics and also how to make it run smoother and better.
If you are here for the Nvidia GPU configuration tweaks, head to the bottom of the topic.
This guide is NOT for the OLD client.
Required files download link:
1. Full pack
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UwK...ew?usp=sharing
2. Reshade
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DPt...ew?usp=sharing
I am starting with showing you what is this guide about.
Environment graphics before upgrade:
https://i.imgur.com/oB5FfN7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vNilR97.png
https://i.imgur.com/pxvZlw2.png
https://i.imgur.com/6YqUCEX.png
https://i.imgur.com/SBRhTAv.jpg
Environment graphics after upgrade:
https://i.imgur.com/2Un6Uey.png
https://i.imgur.com/gGuBjlW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/koxi76O.png
https://i.imgur.com/PerPtgM.png
https://i.imgur.com/LSO0jW6.png
https://i.imgur.com/7L3i9ty.png
https://i.imgur.com/9VdRTNF.jpg
Models before upgrade:
https://i.imgur.com/JC1sejJ.png
https://i.imgur.com/ztb8tq2.png
https://i.imgur.com/23iMNeo.png
https://i.imgur.com/UN23MMh.png
https://i.imgur.com/vD3kK92.png
https://i.imgur.com/9ffPWRN.png
https://i.imgur.com/DnAbgGc.png
https://i.imgur.com/qoGLzYm.png
https://i.imgur.com/EiMGNGS.png
https://i.imgur.com/oiBpql8.png
Models after upgrade:
https://i.imgur.com/72HJ8Ba.png
https://i.imgur.com/71RE6Ik.png
https://i.imgur.com/vd171TW.png
https://i.imgur.com/UkxxHf1.png
https://i.imgur.com/Tq1hRi8.png
https://i.imgur.com/FtBKLGW.png
https://i.imgur.com/mZ3gALr.png
https://i.imgur.com/oiBpql8.png
https://i.imgur.com/lSdVtMO.png
https://i.imgur.com/5P3me7I.png
Now that you made up your mind, let's get to the guide.
1st step.
We need to install the new graphics. How do we do that? Very simple, in the archive that you downloaded there is a folder patches and inside it a folder Data containing the patches.
You only need to copy those patches and paste them in your WOW client Data folder. Nothing else.
After that your Data folder should look like this:
2nd step.
Now that we are done with the proper models, textures upgrade, we need to tweak the game a bit.
Inside the archive there is an archive called Large Address Aware.
What does this program do? It lets your WoW client use more than 2GB of RAM.
Unzip that archive, open the folder and the right click on the executable and 'Run as Administrator'.
We need to point the program at our WoW.exe. Click on the 3 dots ... and navigate to your Wow Client and select the WoW.exe.
Now check the box and click on Save.
3rd step.
This is a matter of preference.
We need to tweak the colors and effects a little bit by using a program called Reshade. It's a very simple process, we are adding new shaders to the game.
Let me show you what Reshade does.
Example 1:
Before Reshade:
https://i.imgur.com/xZv4fOU.png
After Reshade:
https://i.imgur.com/ytxY9LO.png
Example 2:
Before Reshade:
https://i.imgur.com/SbaZ81s.png
After Reshade:
https://i.imgur.com/9hl4yfq.png
Example 3:
Before Reshade:
https://i.imgur.com/cqzSZt7.png
After Reshade:
https://i.imgur.com/2vWWYS0.png
Example 4:
Before Reshade:
https://i.imgur.com/5dCUR2w.png
After Reshade:
https://i.imgur.com/cpylLxU.png
Inside the archive there is a folder 'Reshade', run Reshade Setup 4.8.2.
We need to navigate again to the WoW client WOW.exe. Click on 'Click here to select a game..', then on Browse and navigate to WOW.exe
When Reshade asks you which rendering API does World of Warcraft use, tick the first one 'Direct3D 9'.
Now it's asking us what Shaders we want to install. If they are not already ticked, tick the Standard and SweetFX shaders.
After that it's asking us what Sweet FX shaders to install, leave it as it is(all of them) and click on ok and you are done.
2 more steps to go and we are done with Reshade. We need to copy the 'Enhanced.ini' file from Reshade folder, inside WoW client folder.
Start your game. Press the Home button and Reshade window will pop up with a tutorial. SKip it.
On the top of the window, there are 2 navigation arrows. Click on the left or right one till you reach the Enhanced configuration.
Now Enjoy!
I have a bonus step for the ones that have a Nvidia GPU.
The first part of it is mandatory, while the other one is up to you.
The first thing we need to do is to enable the Full color range.
Open your Nvidia control panel, go to Video -> Adjust video color settings.
At the second option 'How do you make color adjustments ?' tick With the Nvidia, go to Advanced and at Dynamic range select Full.
The second step consist in some tweaking to how your GPU handles games. I find that this configuration, for almost all GPUS tend to be the best balance between quality and performance.
In your Nvidia control panel go to 3D Settings -> Manage 3D settings and at Global settings match your settings with the one I am providing in the screenshots.
At 'Max frame rate' choose your monitor Hz. If you have a 60hz monitor, choose 60fps, 144hz to 144 FPS and so on.
That's it mon!
Feel free to shoot your questions if you have any and let me know if you enjoy it or not, good day!