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Install Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 or Server 2003 Enterprise x86?
Hello - We will be installing a new server in our office for a new line of business application we have purchased. We will be installing MS SQL Server 2005 Standard for this application to use as well. This will be a pretty resource demanding application. The server we have purchased is a Dell PowerEdge 2950 with Dual Quad-Core E5405 Xeon's (2.0GHz, 2x6MB Cache) and has 8GB of RAM and SAD RAID-5.
Since Windows Server 2003 Standard x86 (32-bit) does not support more than 4GB of RAM, we have to go with an O/S that does. This is merely a question of budget. I have an unused copy of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition x86 and an unused copy of Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition x64. Given the demanding hardware requirements of the application, and the fact it runs on MS SQL Server 2005, which version of Windows do you think we would achieve the best performance with? I think that Enterprise x86 has to use PAE to address the memory beyond 4GB, but from what I understand an x64 version does not. I am not sure if that makes a difference or not. I also have read that Enterprise does better with multiple processors and has other features that I don't need like clustering and hot-add RAM. The application is not yet certified for Windows Server 2008 so the choices are 2003 Standard x64 or 2003 Enterprise x86. Thoughts anyone? Thanks in advance!
Since Windows Server 2003 Standard x86 (32-bit) does not support more than 4GB of RAM, we have to go with an O/S that does. This is merely a question of budget. I have an unused copy of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition x86 and an unused copy of Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition x64. Given the demanding hardware requirements of the application, and the fact it runs on MS SQL Server 2005, which version of Windows do you think we would achieve the best performance with? I think that Enterprise x86 has to use PAE to address the memory beyond 4GB, but from what I understand an x64 version does not. I am not sure if that makes a difference or not. I also have read that Enterprise does better with multiple processors and has other features that I don't need like clustering and hot-add RAM. The application is not yet certified for Windows Server 2008 so the choices are 2003 Standard x64 or 2003 Enterprise x86. Thoughts anyone? Thanks in advance!
Tigermatt is correct. Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 will work perfect and will save you some money over buying Enterprise edition.
ASKER
Cool - thanks for the input - I wasn't concerned about buying enterprise as i have a copy of enterprise x86 and standard x64 - i just wanted to make use of either. thoughts from anyone else?
I assume that's an indication for me to keep quiet d:-)
-tm
ASKER
no please continue if you have more info :)
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ASKER
we're all good on x64 drivers!
thanks for your help!
thanks for your help!
ASKER
thank you for reaffirming my thoughts :)
If i already have windows 2003 server standard edition.. can i install interprise or the 64bit as an upgrade or i have to install fresh?
ASKER
you have to install fresh - you can upgrade from one architecture to another
so you can't just insert the cd and upgrade the OS... that suck really bad for me then. thanks
ASKER
nope you would have to format and reinstall from scratch or install to an alternate path
Yes, it is a format and reinstall. You CANNOT go cross-architecture (i.e. 32-bit to 64-bit) on an upgrade.
So if i already have 'windows 2003 server standard 32bit server' OS - i can just upgrade 'windows 2003 server 32bit enterprise' without formating and do a fresh installs
Yep - Standard x86 can be upgraded to Enterprise x86 - see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/whyupgrade/supportedpaths.mspx.
In future, please ask your own question as it keeps the knowledgebase tidy, and stops you hijacking someone else's question (questions are not 'bumped' link a typical forum).
I would go for Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition x64 Edition. By installing the 64-bit edition, you will get native support for up to 32GB of RAM, and running 64-bit software may make your database more stable too. If the server will simply be running a database, and you won't be doing clustering, you aren't losing anything by installing Standard Edition rather than Enterprise.
-tigermatt