As Evan already mentioned on his blog, Raymond Chen has a great series on /3GB switch on his blog. What is really cool is that Raymond takes on some myths about the /3GB switch and the fact that he makes great analogies to explain them is just a bonus. Seems like Raymond's /3GB switch series is done now… A must read for any serious /3GB switcher - or if you ever wondered what /3GB does! =)
He discussed the following:
The oft-misunderstood /3GB switch
Kernel address space consequences of the /3GB switch
Myth: Without /3GB the total amount of memory that can be allocated across all programs is 2GB
Myth: Without /3GB a single program can't allocate more than 2GB of virtual memory
Myth: You need /3GB if you have more than 2GB of physical memory
Myth: The /3GB switch expands the user-mode address space of all programs
Why does Exchange recommend /3GB if you have more than 1GB of physical memory?
Myth: The /3GB switch lets me map one giant 3GB block of memory
Why is the virtual address space 4GB anyway?
Myth: PAE increases the virtual address space beyond 4GB
Myth: In order to use AWE, you must enable PAE
- Nino Bilic