SQL Server 2008 RAM Usage

[mattmontalto]

I cannot figure out how to stop SQL server from using all the ram in my system... I have tried to limit the amount the server has access using the server properties memory category, but no matter what I set the limits to it uses all the ram in the server...

I realize this is a common question and I have looked for answers all over and have found so much contradictory information that I don't know what I should believe or try

I have 12 gigs of ram in the system and sql is using 11.7 - I would rather degrade database performance that have the server crash... thank you

 

[fredericofonseca]

as you may have read already max memory is not the only memory SQL Server uses. it can easily use another 2-4 GB outside the max memory setting.
So for 12GB of ram I advise not setting more than 9-10GB for max memory on sql server. and even 10 may be too high.

And the above its only if you don't have other software running on that server - if you do you may need to reduce it further.

if the server is not a VM I would strongly adivse you to add more memory to it.

As for performance - if not done already look into having at least 2 tempdb files set with same size and growth, more depending on the number of cores on your server. Eventually also set some trace flags (

https://www.brentozar.com/archive/2014/06/trace-flags-1117-1118-tempdb-configuration/)

Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

FAQ219-2884
FAQ181-2886

 

[mattmontalto]

thank you... I am not really familiar with tempdb and will have to look into that....I have the server set to max use of 8GB and do not have anything else running on it. Thank you for your time and help... I really appreciate it...