SQL Server 2005 32bit vs 64bit...

[bmgmzp]

We're upgrading to SQL Server 2005 and when the Network Administrator asked us if we wanted 64bit editions of windows and SQL Server 2005 versus the 32bit versions, and there was no price difference we said sure.

However, I stumbled across an article that makes me wonder if that was a smart idea. Should I be worried? or does the 64bit edition of SQL Server just utilize the 64bit architecure for better performance while everything else (databases, stored procedures, views, etc) stay the same?

 

[ptheriault]

The difference is in the SQLOS. There are no 64Bit database objects or anything like that you will need to worry about. I have two 64 bit prod boxes that have 32 bit dev boxes. I am always moving objects and databases back and forth.

Here is a good link for more info.

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/rpearl/abitabout64bit.asp

- Paul
- If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

 

[bmgmzp]

Ok.... here is the answer I got on another site... agree or disagree?

You probably do no want to use 64-bit. It may in many cases slow things down. If you have a high number of long data type operations, then 64-bit is the platform for you. But if integer is pretty much where you live, then it will take twice as many operations on a 64-bit platform than it would on a 32-bit platform. Additionally, you are going to fight one version and driver issue after another. Once you finally get it working the frustrations should go down, but I do not recommend 64-bit OSs or environments unless you know that you have a need for the long register calculations.

 

[ptheriault]

I disagree with that article... How old is it? Like I said I have a dev box that is 32 bit and a prod box that is 64 bit. The 32 bit box is newer, so bus speeds and disks I/O are better. I can run the same query on both servers and I usually see about 10 to 15% performance gain on the 64 bit server. I know it's not comparing identical servers and there are other variables in play here.
Also,
I have not had any problems with drivers or software versions.

- Paul
- If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

 

[ptheriault]

Check out this comparison of versions.

http://searchsqlserver.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid87_gci1233009,00.html

I will mention that I did have one SQL bug that was related to SQL server 2005 64Bit only. But it was corrected in SP2.

- Paul
- If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.