How choose between 32-bit and 64-bit?

Question

I see sql express limits says it can only use up to 1 gb memory, and I assume that apply to both 32-bit and 64-bit. So what other things can make sql express 64-bit better than 32-bit? And I have impression that 32-bit can have smaller overhead than 64-bit.

Answer 1

I see sql express limits says it can only use up to 1 gb memory, and I assume that apply to both 32-bit and 64-bit. So what other things can make sql express 64-bit better than 32-bit? And I have impression that 32-bit can have smaller overhead than 64-bit.

you got it.

if you look only at the database engine there's effectively no benefit to use 64-bit but if you look at the other components (eg. Reporting Services).

As it can only use 1GB RAM there is no difference in 32-bit or 64-bit handing of data but if the 32-bit SQL Server Express is installed on a 64-bit OS it will run on the WOW64 layer which gives some small performance overhead and therefore it is recommand to use 64-bit version if you're OS is 64-bit.

As 64-bit does have more registers and some additional cpu instructions than the 32-bit mode the application can be better optimised and run faster even if the code itself is larger due to 64-bit.

if you're using the normal SQL Server editions than it is definitively recommand to install the 64-bit version such that all available memory can be used and not limited to 2GB VAS (virtual address space).

Answer 2

If you plan to create a linked server against an Access mdb/accdb database file or to export to an Excel or Text file and that your installation of Office is 32 bit, then you need to install the 32 bit version but if your version of Office is 64 bit then it's the 64 bit version that you'll have to install.

BTW, nothing forbid you to install both versions of SQL-Server Express.