What does the number of bits in Physical Address Extensions of memory specifications of processors mean?

[VKuro]

Hello! I would like to know what does the number of bits in Physical Address Extensions mean? For example, Intel Xeon W-2155. This processor supports RAM with PAE 46-bit. What does it mean?

[idata]

Hello, Vladislav0504,

Intel® Xeon® W processors are our new processor family for Workstations.Intel Xeon® processors are prepared to support operating systems of x86 (32bits) and X64 (64bits). The feature included on this processor PAE 46-bit improves the performance and capabilities of the processor when the operating system or the application is running at 32bit.I am sending you a detailed description of Physical Address Extension provided by Microsoft*. It gives a clear description of PAE 46-bit. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366796(v=vs.85).aspxAdditionally, I am sending you the product brief of Intel® Xeon® W Processors. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/xeon/xeon-scalable-w-workstation-brief.htmlRegards,Miguel CIntel Customer Support

[VKuro]

Thank you very much! Is there a difference between 46-bit, 40-bit and 32-bit? And don't you need PAE for 64-bit Windows?

[idata]

Hi, Vladislav0504,

Nowadays processors are capable to support 32 and 64bits formats. The Physical Address Extension (PAE 46-bit) was released for operating systems or programs still running at 32bits. X64 processors natively read physical address space larger than 4 gigabytes.PAE 46 and 40 are similar technologies, developed for the same purpose.Regards,Miguel CIntel Customer Support

[idata]

Hi, Vladislav0504,

I am following up the case, please let me know if you need further support. Regards,Miguel CIntel Customer Support

[VKuro]

Thank you very much! A help in this matter is no longer required.

[idata]

Hi, Vladislav0504,It was my pleasure. Thank you for your response.

Regards,Miguel CIntel Customer Support