Suppose that I have a 32 bit Windows Server box that operates several server applications along with an SQL Server, with a RAM usage of about 2 GB at peak times.
What would be the advantages of upgrading the Windows Server OS and SQL Server to the corresponding 64 bit versions, with the server applications remaining as 32 bit? The 64 bit versions allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM, but since 4 GB is not being fully utilized would that render the upgrade moot?
Versions: Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition
Thanks
Best Answer
Strongly related: Good reasons to keep 32-bit Microsoft Windows desktop OSes
You are using a 64 bit OS. Server 2008 R2 was the first to only support 64 bit CPUs.
"Newer" versions of Windows aren't even designed for 32 bit. You maybe won't take advantage of anything, but there should neither be any disadvantages. That being said: Upgrade anyway, as Server 2008 R2 SP1 (which I hope you are using) will be EOL from 2020-01-14.
As for SQL Server 32 bit/64 bit: Your understanding is correct, if you won't ever need > ~3,75 GB of RAM (or >2 GB per process), you can use the 32 bit version without problems. But for newer versions there won't be any 32 bit version to install, as Microsoft switched to 64 bit only.