SQL Server Max Memory

I have a server running Windows 2003 Enterprise (x86) and SQL Server 2005 Enterprise SP.

The sqlserver process currently consumes aorund 1.6GB of memory although there is around 12GB in the sever (the OS only see's 4GB due to 32 bit limitation). To use all this memory will I need to upgrade to a 64bit OS and 64bit SQL Server enterprise?

I have aslo read about using AWE but would like do it do it without that if possible.

asked Mar 07 '10 at 03:00 PM in Default

JohnT1000
39 ● 2 ● 2 ● 2

Can you explain why you wouldn't want to enable AWE?

Mar 08 '10 at 12:51 PM SQL Kiwi

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2 answers:

Here's some good info: http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2008/03/sql-server-2005-setup-checklist-part-1-before-the-install/

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/glennberry/archive/2009/10/29/suggested-max-memory-settings-for-sql-server-2005_2F00_2008.aspx

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/sql_performance/archive/2010/2/6/microsoft-sql-server-2008-with-windows-memory-and-deciding-to-use-3gb-or-awe.aspx

answered Mar 07 '10 at 06:30 PM

Jason Crider
453 ● 9 ● 10 ● 12

+1 That is a nice list of resources.

Mar 08 '10 at 03:17 PM CirqueDeSQLeil

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To let SQL Server use the majority of that 12GB, you'll need to either use 64-bit or AWE.

But it seems odd that it's stopping at 1.6GB, when 32-bit systems support much more than that. Could it be that your databases are sufficiently small so that 1.6GB is all you need?

answered Mar 07 '10 at 10:26 PM