Why is Maximum RAM Memory Limited to 4 GB with a 32-bit Address Bus?

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A 32-bit address bus can access a maximum of 4 GB of RAM, which is equivalent to 2^32 bytes. In contrast, a 64-bit address bus can theoretically address up to 2^64 bytes of memory, significantly increasing potential RAM capacity. Many modern CPUs support Physical Address Extension (PAE), which expands the addressable memory from 4 GB to 64 GB by extending the address bus to 36 bits while maintaining compatibility with 32-bit applications. Each bit in the address bus corresponds to a sector of physical memory, typically a byte.
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Why, with a 32-bit adress bus , we can only have a maximum of 4 GB RAM memory?
 
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4GB = 2^32 bytes.

64-bit can address 2^64 bytes.
 
Thank you!
 
but remember that most CPU's in todays market support Physical Address extension along with many Operating systems. All it does is extend the address bus from 32 bits to 36 bits but is still compatible with 32 bit applications and stuff. But if needed this can extend the amount of RAM from 4GB to 64GB. Thats quite the difference.
 
rty640 said:
4GB = 2^32 bytes.

64-bit can address 2^64 bytes.

Yeah, I believe that every bit represents a sector (usually a byte) in physical memory.
 
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