/3GB and AWE

  • Hi All,

    SQL 2005,Ent,SP4 on WIndows 2003,SP2 has only 4GB RAM .

    I've enabled AWE and min and Max memory for SQL server. /PAE already exists as its Windows 2003 OS.

    Should adding /3GB will help?

    Thinking of adding 4GB more RAM .Then SQL server will have 8GB RAM in total but how adding /3GB will help?

    Please help

    Thanks in adavance

  • this is 32 bit yes?.

    no point enabling AWE until you have more than 4GB. AWe only enables memory usage above the 4GB line .

    The /3Gb switch enables SQL to use an extra 1GB below the 4GB line, so maximising usage of that part of memory. The other 1GB will go to the OS and any other apps on the server.

    Only use the /3GB switch when total memory is 16GB or less. After that the OS needs more than 1GB to perform its operations.

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  • Sqlsavy (9/27/2011)


    on WIndows 2003,SP2 has only 4GB RAM .

    Enterprise or Standard?

    32 bit or 64 bit?

    Sqlsavy (9/27/2011)


    I've enabled AWE

    Did you enable the Lock Pages in Memory local security policy for the SQL Server service account

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Yes, 32-bit Enterprise edition.

  • until you add that extra 4GB of RAM to the server you can enable the 3GB switch ...

    once the extra 4GB RAM is in the server you can enable AWE and set the min and max memory options

    with enabling lock pages in memory

    MCITP: Database Administrator 2005
    MCTS SQL Server 2008
    MCP SQL 2012/2014
    MCSA SQL Server 2012/2014
    MCSE Data Management and Analytics

  • That means once it becomes 8GB RAM I should remove 3GB switch isn't?

  • Sqlsavy (9/28/2011)


    That means once it becomes 8GB RAM I should remove 3GB switch isn't?

    no - see my earlier post

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