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JohnT1000 avatar image
JohnT1000 asked

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.

sql-server-2005memorywindows-2003
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SQL Kiwi avatar image SQL Kiwi commented ·
Can you explain why you wouldn't want to enable AWE?
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Jason Crider avatar image
Jason Crider answered

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

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CirqueDeSQLeil avatar image CirqueDeSQLeil commented ·
+1 That is a nice list of resources.
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Rob Farley avatar image
Rob Farley answered

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?

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SQL Kiwi avatar image SQL Kiwi commented ·
1.6GB seems about right on 32-bit SQL Server running without AWE, assuming that the /3GB switch is not present in boot.ini 2GB VAS minus 384MB for the multi-page allocation region is about 1.6GB. Paul
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Rob Farley avatar image Rob Farley commented ·
Ah yes... Not using /3GB either. Why do that?
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