Um, PAE?

I noticed this a while back, but didn't really take any action till now when I googled it. Apparently PAE is only avaliable for INTEL processors, and is also only enabled when enabled in the boot.ini, which mine isn't.

Look at this picture. (may take a tad to load)


I have all new components, except CPU which is, say, 6 months old. Purchased off the 'Egg in June.

Is this something I should worry about?

PAE was introduced by Intel but it's not Intel Specific. PAE allows for processors to address more than 4GB of memory.

It's not anything to worry about.

Just wondering, why is it showing up under My Computer when I never enabled it?

Oh and, it is only "supported" by Intel Processors (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...us/memory/base/physical_address_extension.asp)

PAE is not exclusive to Intel processors. Just because it is supported by other processors does not mean that it is not available to be used by other processors as well.

http://www.duxcw.com/yabbse/index.php?board=7;action=printpage;threadid=8491
SiSoftware Sandra

Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
Speed : 1.00GHz
Model Number : 3200 (estimated)
Performance Rating : PR1502 (estimated)
Type : Standard
Package : FC µPGA754
Multiplier : 5/1x
Minimum/Maximum Multiplier : 11/1x / 11/1x
Generation : G8
Name : MC Athlon 64 (K8 ClawHammer) 90nm ?GHz+ ?V
Revision/Stepping : C / 0 (10A)
Stepping Mask : DH7-CG
Core Voltage Rating : 1.100V
Min/Max Core Voltage : 1.100V / 1.550V
Maximum Physical / Virtual Addressing : 40-bit / 48-bit
Native Page Size : 4kB
Part Number : To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Asset Tag : To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Serial Number : To Be Filled By O.E.M.

Co-Processor (FPU)
Type : Built-in
Revision/Stepping : C / 0 (10A)

Processor Cache(s)
Internal Data Cache : 64kB Synchronous Write-Back (2-way, 64 byte line size)
Internal Instruction Cache : 64kB Synchronous Write-Back (2-way, 64 byte line size)
L2 On-board Cache : 512kB ECC Synchronous Write-Back (16-way, 64 byte line size)
L2 Cache Multiplier : 1/1x (1001MHz)

Upgradeability
Socket/Slot : Socket 754
Upgrade Interface : Socket 754
Supported Speed(s) : 2.40GHz+

Processor Power Management
Processor Throttling Enabled : Yes
Throttle Range : 45% - 100%

Environment Monitor 1
Model : Winbond W83697HF ISA
Version : 6.00
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Sensors
CPU Temperature : 32.0°C / 89.6°F
Auto Fan Speed Control : No
CPU Fan Speed : 3214rpm
CPU Voltage : 1.12V

Features
FPU - Co-Processor Built-in : Yes
VME - Virtual Mode Extensions : Yes
DE - Debugging Extension : Yes
PSE - Page Size Extension : Yes
TSC - Time Stamp Counter : Yes
MSR - Model Specific Registers : Yes
PAE - Physical Address Extension : Yes ***
MCE - Machine Check Exception : Yes
CX8 - Compare & Exchange Instruction : Yes
APIC - Local APIC Built-in : Yes
SEP - Fast System Call : Yes
MTRR - Memory Type Range Registers : Yes
PGE - Page Global Enable : Yes
MCA - Machine Check Architecture : Yes
PAT - Page Attribute Table : Yes
PSE36 - 36-bit Page Size Extension : Yes
PSN - Unique Serial Number : No
CLF - Cache Line Flush Support : Yes
DS - Debug Trace & EMON Store : No
ACPI - Software Clock Control : No
(W)MMX Technology : Yes
FXSR - Fast Float Save & Restore : Yes
SSE Technology : Yes
SSE2 Technology : Yes
SS - Self Snoop : No
HTT - Hyper-Threading Technology : No
TM - Thermal Monitor : No
PBE - Pending Break Enable : No
IA64 Technology : No
SSE3 Technology : No
MON - Monitor/MWait : No
DSCPL - CPL qualified Debug Store : No
EST - Enhanced SpeedStep Technology : No
TM2 - Thermal Monitor 2 : No
CID - Context ID : No
xTPR - Send Task Priority Messages : No
DAZ - Denormals Are Zero : Yes

Ah, ok. Thanks for the info. I'm just a tad worried Windows might destroy itself.

Windows will eventually destroy itself, just a matter of time. PAE is not the reason though.

It's strange that PAE allows for memory use over 4GB with a 32bit processor/system, yet no single app can use more than 3GB anyways because Windows 32bit apps cannot access more than that, and Windows 32bit doesn't actually give you 4GB if you had that much installed. So it's the same as giving you a higher speed limit on the freeway but putting a governor on your car that is half of the new speed limit.

Or you could think of it this way, its like adding 4 lanes to a 4 lane highway, thus allowing for more total cars.