Microsoft has released two new Cumulative Updates for SQL Server 2005. The first one is SQL Server 2005 SP3 CU14, which is Build 9.00.4317. The second one is SQL Server 2005 SP4 CU2, which is Build 9.00.5259. There are only two fixes for SP3 and nine fixes for SP4. These may be the last cumulative updates for SQL Server 2005. If not, there may be one more set in April just before SQL Server 2005 falls out of Mainstream Support on April 12, 2011.

I hate to keep beating the drum about this, but SQL Server 2005 is about done. If you are still using SQL Server 2005 (by choice or not), it is likely that you are running it on Windows Server 2003, on three to four year old hardware. Do yourself a favor, and start pushing for a wholesale upgrade. New, 2011 vintage hardware is so much better than 2007 vintage hardware, and it is very affordable. New, lightning fast hardware, running a fresh copy of SQL Server 2008 R2 on top of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will have a huge impact on your workload.

It is unlikely that your boss will come to you and ask if you would like to upgrade your hardware and environment. You have to ask, and make your case.