Configure the max worker threads Server Configuration Option
This topic describes how to configure the max worker threads server configuration option in SQL Server 2012 by using SQL Server Management Studio or Transact-SQL. The max worker threads option configures the number of worker threads that are available to SQL Server processes. SQL Server uses the native thread services of the operating systems so that one or more threads support each network that SQL Server supports simultaneously, another thread handles database checkpoints, and a pool of threads handles all users. The default value for max worker threads is 0. This enables SQL Server to automatically configure the number of worker threads at startup. The default setting is best for most systems. However, depending on your system configuration, setting max worker threads to a specific value sometimes improves performance.
In This Topic
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Before you begin:
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To configure the max worker threads option, using:
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Follow Up: After you configure the max worker threads option
Limitations and Restrictions
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When the actual number of query requests is less than the amount set in max worker threads, one thread handles each query request. However, if the actual number of query request exceeds the amount set in max worker threads, SQL Server pools the worker threads so that the next available worker thread can handle the request.
Recommendations
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This option is an advanced option and should be changed only by an experienced database administrator or certified SQL Server technician.
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Thread pooling helps optimize performance when large numbers of clients are connected to the server. Usually, a separate operating system thread is created for each query request. However, with hundreds of connections to the server, using one thread per query request can consume large amounts of system resources. The max worker threads option enables SQL Server to create a pool of worker threads to service a larger number of query requests, which improves performance.
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The following table shows the automatically configured number of max worker threads for various combinations of CPUs and versions of SQL Server.
Number of CPUs
32-bit computer
64-bit computer
<= 4 processors
256
512
8 processors
288
576
16 processors
352
704
32 processors
480
960
64 processors
736
1472
128 processors
4224
4480
256 processors
8320
8576
Note
For recommendations on using more than 64 CPUs, refer to Best Practices for Running SQL Server on Computers That Have More Than 64 CPUs.
Caution
We recommend 1024 as the maximum number of worker threads for an instance of SQL Server that is running on a 32-bit computer.
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When all worker threads are active with long running queries, SQL Server might appear unresponsive until a worker thread completes and becomes available. Although this is not a defect, it can sometimes be undesirable. If a process appears to be unresponsive and no new queries can be processed, then connect to SQL Server using the dedicated administrator connection (DAC), and kill the process. To prevent this, increase the number of max worker threads.
Security
Permissions
Execute permissions on sp_configure with no parameters or with only the first parameter are granted to all users by default. To execute sp_configure with both parameters to change a configuration option or to run the RECONFIGURE statement, a user must be granted the ALTER SETTINGS server-level permission. The ALTER SETTINGS permission is implicitly held by the sysadmin and serveradmin fixed server roles.
To configure the max worker threads option
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In Object Explorer, right-click a server and select Properties.
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Click the Processors node.
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In the Max worker threads box, type or select a value from 128 through 32767.
Use the max worker threads option to configure the number of worker threads available to SQL Server processes. The default setting for max worker threads is best for most systems. However, depending on your system configuration, setting max worker threads to a smaller value sometimes improves performance.
To configure the max worker threads option
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Connect to the Database Engine.
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From the Standard bar, click New Query.
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Copy and paste the following example into the query window and click Execute. This example shows how to use sp_configure to configure the max worker threads option to 900.
USE AdventureWorks2012 ; GO EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1; GO RECONFIGURE ; GO EXEC sp_configure 'max worker threads', 900 ; GO RECONFIGURE; GO
For more information, see Server Configuration Options.
