SQL Server 2005 on a 64-bit Platform 1

[porkchopexpress]

We are about to replace our SQL 2000 server and have a limited budget to replace the server. I'm thinking about running SQL 2005 on 64Bit windows so we can have plenty of RAM, i haven't had anything to do with 64Bit windows yet are there any issues i should be aware of before going down this route?

Hardware
2 Dual Core Processors
2 Gig minimum RAM - i'd like to use at least 4Gig which is why i'm considering 64Bit.
2 disks as RAID 1 for OS
3 disks as RAID 5 for SQL Server

Thanks for any input.

 

[porkchopexpress]

Bit more info

The current server is a HP ML350 with 2x 2Ghz Zeon processors and 2Gig of RAM, 2003 Server with SQL 2000. This box is just about coping with the current load.

We are not predicting a massive load increase in the near future, the setup currently supports about 100 users.

 

[Jamfool]

Just to clarify you can use more than 2gb of ram on a 32bit box:

http://www.sql-server-performance.com/awe_memory.asp

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/274750

We currently use 64 bit boxes in a few scenarios, and they do perform slightly better. (I believe there is another thread discussing performance increases/decreases).

The only issues we have had are a few driver supports issues with a 64bit operating system, and there is no JET in 64bit. (so no linked servers to excel/access...etc)

 

[porkchopexpress]

The price difference between 4 and 8 Gig isn't the big so i was thinking that i'd go OTT if i went for more than 2Gig but i was concerned about driver issues as you stated. If i get the system from a vendor that supports it then this shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks.

 

[Jamfool]

yeah that should be no problem. We had trouble with 3rd party software. If you using it just as a db server then you will be fine. However if you run any legacy extras then it would be worth double checking support.

 

[porkchopexpress]

I'll double check what's going to be on before raising an order ;-)

Cheers.