Do I Need 64 Bit SQL Server

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When moving to SQL 2005 from 2000, some customers are asking what real benefit 64 bit brings. The short answer is :

- 64 bit is the future - rumours are abound that future releases of SQL Server might not even have a 32 bit sku (except developer editions, etc).

- Virtually No OEM is making servers which are not 64 bit capable.

- 64 bit gives performance and headroom benefits, especially with RAM.

- 32 bit is soooo nineties, it just doesn't look nice in your server room.

 

Here is a great blog diving into some of the technical benefits:

https://blogs.msdn.com/mssqlisv/archive/2007/04/30/will-64-bit-increase-the-performance-of-my-sql-server-application.aspx

I always recommend 64 bit, unless a SQL Server is a "jack of all trades" box with lots of other applications or components installed that might not play nice.