FIX: Parallel Query on Four CPUs Using NLS Is Slower Than Two CPUs (282175)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 7.0

This article was previously published under Q282175
BUG #: 58078 (SQLBUG_70)

SYMPTOMS

Parallel query performance on a computer with four CPUs is poorer than on a computer with two CPUs if you are using the National Language Support (NLS) sort order with the double-byte character set (DBCS).

You may encounter this problem if all of the following conditions are true:
  • You are using the NLS sort order with DBCS.
  • The query processor chooses the Parallelism physical operator.
  • The table has a column of character data type that is used by the Parallelism physical operator.

RESOLUTION

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do one of the following:
  • Use the binary sort order.

    -or-
  • Restrict the number of threads in parallel plan execution, by using the "max degree of parallelism" option or MAXDOP query hint.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server 7.0. This problem has been corrected in U.S. Service Pack 3 for Microsoft SQL Server 7.0. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

274799 INF: How to Obtain Service Pack 3 for Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 and Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) 1.0

For more information, contact your primary support provider.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:3/14/2006
Keywords:kbbug kbfix KB282175