Re: 32 and 64-bit versions of PostgreSQL for Windows

On Apr 4, 2013 2:28 AM, "Michael Swierczek" <mike(dot)swierczek(at)gmail(dot)com>
wrote:
>
> On Wed, Apr 3, 2013 at 2:53 PM, JORGE MALDONADO <jorgemal1960(at)gmail(dot)com>
wrote:
> > We will be using a PostgreSQL database in a 64-bit Windows Server 2008
OS.
> > Should I install a 64-bit version of PostgreSQL too? Is there a place
where
> > I can read about advantages/disadvanates about 32 and 64 bit versions of
> > PostgreSQL for Windows?
> >
> > Respectfully,
> > Jorge Maldonado
>
> We've been running 32-bit versions of PostgreSQL for Windows on
> Windows Server 2008 64-bit since 2009 without problems. You don't
> need to install the 64-bit version of PostgreSQL on Server 2008, the
> 32-bit version does not require it and as far as I know does not get
> any benefit by having it installed - they use separate registry
> settings, separate binaries, etc...
>
> -Mike
>

Well, it all depends on the data access pattern...

32-bit processes have a limitation of 2 GiB addressable work memory. 64-bit
processes have a limitation of several exabytes of memory (one exabyte,
IIRC, is 1 million GB)

So, if your database has a high load, the much Much MUCH higher memory
ceiling should provide you additional 'breathing space' -- provided your
server has enough RAM installed of course.

Rgds,
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