SQL Server Memory - High

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SQL Server Memory - High

NJDave

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Points: 1903
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December 18, 2012 at 7:27 am

#267628

Hello
I am running a physical server dedicated to SQL Server 2008 SP2 on
windows 2008 Enterprise Edition 64bit SP2 with 48GB RAM and my memory usage is staying at 47.2 GB.
Running EXEC sp_configure shows
namemax server memory (MB)
minimum16
maximum2147483647
config_value44000
run_value44000
If I am reading this correctly, the max setting is already at the recomended setting of 44000 for 48 GB of physical RAM.
Is my memory usage normal? Do I have a problem - what should I look into?
If I need to get cooperation from the windows admin, where do I ask him to start looking?
In Resource Monitor, sqlservr.exe is using 46,710,000 KB of memory so I'm sure the problem is SQL.
Any clarification is appreciated.
Thanks
Dave

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Ant-Green SSC Guru Points: 113507 More actions · Answer 1

SQL will use memory from outside of the buffer pool, things like CLR for example use additional memory, so even though it is capped, it can go over by usually 2GB depending on the RAM needed.

I would recommend reading Chapter 4 of the Accidental DBA guide (link in my signature) which goes into memory management.

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 2

NJDave (12/18/2012)
Is my memory usage normal? Do I have a problem - what should I look into?

Yes it is. No, you do not.

At most you may want to drop max server memory down a little. 44GB on a server with 48GB is a little high.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

NJDave SSCommitted Points: 1903 More actions · Answer 3

Thank you for the help - reading Chapter 4 now.

Thanks

Dave

ScottPletcher SSC Guru Points: 101098 More actions · Answer 4

44 out of 48 is definitely too high. Keep in mind that the OS needs some RAM to manage the RAM itself.

Assuming no other software using significant RAM is running on that box to any significant degree, I'd suggest capping at no more than 40GB.

SQL DBA,SQL Server MVP(07, 08, 09) "It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I'm wearing Milk-Bone underwear." "Norm", on "Cheers". Also from "Cheers", from "Carla": "You need to know 3 things about Tortelli men: Tortelli men draw women like flies; Tortelli men treat women like flies; Tortelli men's brains are in their flies".

NJDave SSCommitted Points: 1903 More actions · Answer 5

Thank you - I will cut it down to 40gb.

44 is what it was set at and I see that setting advised here...

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/glennberry/2009/10/29/suggested-max-memory-settings-for-sql-server-2005_2F00_2008/

Thanks

Dave

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 6

I prefer a conservative approach to memory. Set max server memory lower (the 40 out of 48) and if monitoring shows available memory, increase it slightly. Repeat until happy.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Mani Dev Right there with Babe Points: 737 More actions · Answer 7

Suppose Says you Have XGB of memory

I prefer 6GB for OS and the Remaining (X-6)GB for SQL by default on any server.

This will not work for Ram less than 10GB.

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 8

That's too much for low memory servers and too little for high memory servers.

Chapter 4: http://www.simple-talk.com/books/sql-books/troubleshooting-sql-server-a-guide-for-the-accidental-dba/

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass