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SQL Server Memory Utilization - Best way to determine how much memory SQL Server is Actually using versus what is allocated

  • March 19, 2018 at 7:11 am

    #336732

    I wanted opinions on the best way to determining how much memory a sql server instance is actually using versus what is allocated. We all know that SQL Server grabs all the memory that is allocated via Max Memory Settings or if Max Memory Settings is set to the default it will grab all of the memory, but, what I want to identify is what it's actually using. I have seen some threads on DMV's that can provide this information, but, I wanted a general consensus.

    Thanks, in Advance.

  • March 19, 2018 at 8:04 am

    #1983756

    You can use performance monitor tool and capture Free Memory for SQL Server which you can compare against the allocated to get a value of memory being used by SQL Server.
    Open Perfmon and add the counter SQLServer: Memory Manager -- Free Memory (KB).
    If it is prior to SQL 2012 then the counter would be "Buffer Pages" where 1 page equals 8KB. 

     I use this to measure SQL memory Usage and compare them with our baseline values.

    Hari Mindi
    http://www.dba-datascience.com

  • March 20, 2018 at 11:23 pm

    This was removed by the editor as SPAM

  • March 21, 2018 at 8:54 am

    #1984138

    ericwenger1 - Monday, March 19, 2018 7:11 AM

     We all know that SQL Server grabs all the memory that is allocated via Max Memory Settings or if Max Memory Settings is set to the default it will grab all of the memory

    No. It grabs memory as needed, up to max server memory. If it never needs that much, it won't allocate that much.
    Once its allocated, it won't be released unless the OS asks.

    You can use the DMVs to determine what memory is allocated to what pools within SQL's memory space, but if it's allocated then it is being used.

    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

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