Possibility and implication of enabling PAE

Hi, I am planning to buy DELL XPS M1330 with the following configuration and thinking of enabling PAE to fully utilize 4 GB of RAM.

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9300 - 2.5GHz, 6MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB
Chipset: Intel® 965GM Chipset
OS: Windows Vista(TM) Business – with AERO experience
RAM: 4GB ( 2 X 2048MB ) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
Graphic Card: NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 8400M GS with 128MB GDDR3

But before I buy I thought to take some expert opinion on whether I can enable PAE with the given configuration and if there are any disadvantages of doing that.

Thanks,
G.S.Giri

 

PAE does not work. It has absolutely zero effect on the system.

 

Unless you run very specific applications that you know can benefit from doing it. It will kill most normal applications. The fact you are even posting here shows a lack of the expertise to understand what this implementation does. The reality is no matter what anyone says there is 4GB limitation on a 32bit OS and all can never be used buy the RAM! So you will never be able to utilize 4GB of RAM. You are talking about a software workaround for a real and true theoretical and physical limitation. IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN! The easy solution is buy a 64bit version of Windows! Do you even need 4GB of RAM to play solitaire and use Word? So the answer is no! Do not believe the hype! I doubt you need 4GB. But if you install it (RAM) fine some will just not be seen.

 

Expert opinion from the penguin: Get 64bit

 

Weeeeeell... PAE isn't just a software workaround. It is supported in hardware.
However, it does not allow regular 32-bit applications to use more memory.

The applications you're running has to explicitly support PAE, which is rare.
But if they do that, they can use more than 4GB.
The question is, how many applications can you think of that are PAE aware? The only ones I know of are targeted at servers and high-end workstations.
Nothing that most PC users (including me) would ever consider running.

A more sensible approach is to just buy a 64-bit version of Windows. Then you'll be able to utilize all your RAM, and gain much better software support

 

Powerpack's a little angry...

 

I am sorry I went over. And as Jalf pointed out I am inncorrect in some ways. I knew but slipped. Sorry to OP! But my conclusions are correct for maybe the wrong reasons and flipfire said it well.

 

Thanks everyone!

That makes me easy to decide on 3 GB.

 

You should only buy 1 GB from Dell. Replace it aftermarket. RAM Deals.

 

What is PAE, if I may ask?

K-TRON

 

Physical Address Extention - and its basically used to bypass the 4GB limit. But the OS, hardware, and applications have to be PAE aware or it won't work.

And as mentioned, only high end business softwares are PAE aware.

 

Okay, thanks for the clarification.

K-TRON

 

Physical Address Extension, here is link K-T.

Edit: K-T I was on the other page when I posted looks like Greg already answered. Give the link a try and if really up for a headache search the Microsoft knowledge base. I have and it will give you a migraine.