Advantages of upgrading 32 bit Windows Server and SQL Server to 64 bit?












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Suppose that I have a Windows Server box that operates several server applications along with an SQL Server, with a RAM usage of about 2 GB at peak times.



What would be the advantages of upgrading the Windows Server OS and SQL Server to the corresponding 64 bit versions, with the server applications remaining as 32 bit? The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM, but since 4 GB is not being fully utilized would that render the upgrade moot?



Versions: Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition



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    1















    Suppose that I have a Windows Server box that operates several server applications along with an SQL Server, with a RAM usage of about 2 GB at peak times.



    What would be the advantages of upgrading the Windows Server OS and SQL Server to the corresponding 64 bit versions, with the server applications remaining as 32 bit? The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM, but since 4 GB is not being fully utilized would that render the upgrade moot?



    Versions: Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition



    Thanks










    share|improve this question







    New contributor




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      1








      Suppose that I have a Windows Server box that operates several server applications along with an SQL Server, with a RAM usage of about 2 GB at peak times.



      What would be the advantages of upgrading the Windows Server OS and SQL Server to the corresponding 64 bit versions, with the server applications remaining as 32 bit? The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM, but since 4 GB is not being fully utilized would that render the upgrade moot?



      Versions: Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition



      Thanks










      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Someone is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      Suppose that I have a Windows Server box that operates several server applications along with an SQL Server, with a RAM usage of about 2 GB at peak times.



      What would be the advantages of upgrading the Windows Server OS and SQL Server to the corresponding 64 bit versions, with the server applications remaining as 32 bit? The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM, but since 4 GB is not being fully utilized would that render the upgrade moot?



      Versions: Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition



      Thanks







      sql-server 64-bit 32bit-64bit 32-bit






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          Strongly related: Good reasons to keep 32-bit Microsoft Windows desktop OSes



          You are using a 64 Bit OS. Server 2008 R2 was the first to only support 64 Bit CPUs.



          "Newer" versions of Windows aren't even designed for 32 Bit. You maybe won't take advantage of anything, but there should neither be any disadvantages. That being said: Upgrade anyway, as Server 2008 R2 SP1 (which I hope you are using) will be EOL from 2020-01-14.



          As for SQL Server 32 Bit/64 Bit: Your understanding is correct, if you won't ever need > ~3,75 GB of RAM (or >2 GB per process), you can use the 32 Bit version without problems. But for newer versions there won't be any 32 Bit version to install, as Microsoft switched to 64 Bit only.






          share|improve this answer

































            1














            Fundamentally: Yes. Assuming you never make updates that are then 4 bit only - not sure there even IS a 32 bit SQL Server more recent than 2008.



            Issues with your question: "The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM," - make that 3gb ;) not 4. 1gb is always reserved.






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              2 Answers
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              2 Answers
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              Strongly related: Good reasons to keep 32-bit Microsoft Windows desktop OSes



              You are using a 64 Bit OS. Server 2008 R2 was the first to only support 64 Bit CPUs.



              "Newer" versions of Windows aren't even designed for 32 Bit. You maybe won't take advantage of anything, but there should neither be any disadvantages. That being said: Upgrade anyway, as Server 2008 R2 SP1 (which I hope you are using) will be EOL from 2020-01-14.



              As for SQL Server 32 Bit/64 Bit: Your understanding is correct, if you won't ever need > ~3,75 GB of RAM (or >2 GB per process), you can use the 32 Bit version without problems. But for newer versions there won't be any 32 Bit version to install, as Microsoft switched to 64 Bit only.






              share|improve this answer






























                2














                Strongly related: Good reasons to keep 32-bit Microsoft Windows desktop OSes



                You are using a 64 Bit OS. Server 2008 R2 was the first to only support 64 Bit CPUs.



                "Newer" versions of Windows aren't even designed for 32 Bit. You maybe won't take advantage of anything, but there should neither be any disadvantages. That being said: Upgrade anyway, as Server 2008 R2 SP1 (which I hope you are using) will be EOL from 2020-01-14.



                As for SQL Server 32 Bit/64 Bit: Your understanding is correct, if you won't ever need > ~3,75 GB of RAM (or >2 GB per process), you can use the 32 Bit version without problems. But for newer versions there won't be any 32 Bit version to install, as Microsoft switched to 64 Bit only.






                share|improve this answer




























                  2












                  2








                  2







                  Strongly related: Good reasons to keep 32-bit Microsoft Windows desktop OSes



                  You are using a 64 Bit OS. Server 2008 R2 was the first to only support 64 Bit CPUs.



                  "Newer" versions of Windows aren't even designed for 32 Bit. You maybe won't take advantage of anything, but there should neither be any disadvantages. That being said: Upgrade anyway, as Server 2008 R2 SP1 (which I hope you are using) will be EOL from 2020-01-14.



                  As for SQL Server 32 Bit/64 Bit: Your understanding is correct, if you won't ever need > ~3,75 GB of RAM (or >2 GB per process), you can use the 32 Bit version without problems. But for newer versions there won't be any 32 Bit version to install, as Microsoft switched to 64 Bit only.






                  share|improve this answer















                  Strongly related: Good reasons to keep 32-bit Microsoft Windows desktop OSes



                  You are using a 64 Bit OS. Server 2008 R2 was the first to only support 64 Bit CPUs.



                  "Newer" versions of Windows aren't even designed for 32 Bit. You maybe won't take advantage of anything, but there should neither be any disadvantages. That being said: Upgrade anyway, as Server 2008 R2 SP1 (which I hope you are using) will be EOL from 2020-01-14.



                  As for SQL Server 32 Bit/64 Bit: Your understanding is correct, if you won't ever need > ~3,75 GB of RAM (or >2 GB per process), you can use the 32 Bit version without problems. But for newer versions there won't be any 32 Bit version to install, as Microsoft switched to 64 Bit only.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 25 mins ago

























                  answered 30 mins ago









                  LennieyLenniey

                  2,60421022




                  2,60421022

























                      1














                      Fundamentally: Yes. Assuming you never make updates that are then 4 bit only - not sure there even IS a 32 bit SQL Server more recent than 2008.



                      Issues with your question: "The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM," - make that 3gb ;) not 4. 1gb is always reserved.






                      share|improve this answer




























                        1














                        Fundamentally: Yes. Assuming you never make updates that are then 4 bit only - not sure there even IS a 32 bit SQL Server more recent than 2008.



                        Issues with your question: "The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM," - make that 3gb ;) not 4. 1gb is always reserved.






                        share|improve this answer


























                          1












                          1








                          1







                          Fundamentally: Yes. Assuming you never make updates that are then 4 bit only - not sure there even IS a 32 bit SQL Server more recent than 2008.



                          Issues with your question: "The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM," - make that 3gb ;) not 4. 1gb is always reserved.






                          share|improve this answer













                          Fundamentally: Yes. Assuming you never make updates that are then 4 bit only - not sure there even IS a 32 bit SQL Server more recent than 2008.



                          Issues with your question: "The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM," - make that 3gb ;) not 4. 1gb is always reserved.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 29 mins ago









                          TomTomTomTom

                          45.7k541119




                          45.7k541119






















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