Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Requirements

Framework
SQL Server Setup installs the following software components required by the product:

.NET Framework 3.5 SP11

SQL Server Native Client

SQL Server Setup support files


Software
SQL Server Setup requires Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 or a later version

Virtualization
SQL Server 2008 is supported in virtual machine environments running on the Hyper-V role in Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise and Data Center editions.

Internet Software
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or a later version is required for all installations of SQL Server 2008.

Hard Disk
Disk space requirements will vary with the SQL Server 2008 components you install. .

Drive
A CD or DVD drive, as appropriate, is required for installation from disc.

Display
VGA or higher resolution: at least 1,024x768 pixel resolution.

Other Devices
Pointing device: A Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device is required.

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) IA64:
Processor
Processor type:

Itanium processor or faster

Processor speed:

Recommended: 1.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows Server 2008 64-bit Itanium1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Data Center1,2

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Enterprise1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum: 512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (64-bit) x64

Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise,

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum:512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum

SQL Server 2008 Standard (64-bit) x64

Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP Professional x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center, Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Small Business Server 20082

Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions2

Windows Server 2008 without Hyper-V for Windows Essential Server Solutions2

Memory
RAM:

Minimum:512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (32-bit)

Processor
Processor type:

Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.0 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 Small Business Server SP2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Server 2008 Standard (with and without Hyper-V)

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum: 512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum

SQL Server 2008 Standard (32-bit)

Processor
Processor type:

Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.0 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP x64 Professional1

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate x641

Windows Vista Enterprise x641

Windows Vista Business x641

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Small Business Server 20082

Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions2

Windows Server 2008 without Hyper-V for Windows Essential Server Solutions2

Memory
RAM:

Minimum: 512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum

SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) IA64

Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: Itanium processor or faster

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Itanium Enterprise1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit Itanium Edition1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum: 512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum

SQL Server 2008 Developer (64-bit) x64

Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP x64 Professional

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum:512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum

SQL Server 2008 Workgroup (64-bit) x64

Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP x64 Professional

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum:512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: 4 GB

SQL Server 2008 Web (64-bit) x64
Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP x64 Professional

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 x64 Web

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard, Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center, Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum:512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum for the Database Engine, 4 GB for Reporting Services

SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools(64-bit) x64

Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows Server 2003 x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum:512 MB

Recommended: 1 GB

Maximum: 1 GB for the Database Engine.

SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services (64-bit) x64

Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows Server 2003 x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum:512 MB

Recommended: 1 GB

Maximum: 1 GB for the Database Engine, 4 GB for Reporting Services

SQL Server Developer (32-bit)

Processor
Processor type:

Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.0 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP Home Edition SP2

Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP Tablet SP2

Windows XP Professional x64 SP21

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows XP Home Edition Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Starter Edition

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit x641

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit x641

Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit x641

Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit x641

Windows Vista Business 64-bit x641

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Memory
RAM:

Minimum: 512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum

SQL Server Workgroup (32-bit)

Processor
Processor type:

Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.0 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP Professional 64-bit x641

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Ultimate1

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista 64-bit x64 Business1

Windows Server 2008 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum: 512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum for the Database Engine, 4 GB for Reporting Services

SQL Server Web (32-bit)

Processor
Processor type:

Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.0 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP Professional SP2

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP Professional XP x641

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows XP Professional Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate x641

Windows Vista Enterprise x641

Windows Vista Business x641

Windows Server 2008 Web

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum: 512 MB

Recommended: 2.048 GB or more

Maximum: Operating system maximum for the Database Engine, 4 GB for Reporting Services

SQL Server Express (32-bit), SQL Server Express with Tools, and SQL Server Express with Advanced Services (32-bit)

Processor
Processor type:

Pentium III-compatible processor or faster

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.0 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows XP SP2 Home

Windows XP SP2 Professional

Windows XP SP2 Tablet

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2002

Windows XP SP2 Media Center 2004

Windows XP Media Center 2005

Windows Server 2003 Reduced Media

Windows XP Home Edition Reduced Media

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server R2 Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Standard

Windows Server 2003 2003 SP2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Web Edition

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Standard

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Small Business Server Premium

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit x643

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit x643

Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit x643

Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit x643

Windows Vista Business 64-bit x643

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server

Windows Server 2008 Standard Server without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 Data Center without Hyper-V

Windows Server 2008 Web Edition

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web Edition1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Windows XP Embedded SP2 feature pack 20072

Windows Embedded for Point of Service SP22

Memory
RAM:

Minimum: 256 MB for SQL Server Express

Minimum: 512 MB for SQL Server Express with Tools, and SQL Server Express with Advanced Services

Recommended: 1.024 GB

Maximum: 1 GB for the Database Engine that installs with SQL Server Express, SQL Server Express with Tools, and SQL Server Express with Advanced Services, 4 GB for Reporting Services that installs with SQL Server Express with Advanced Services

SQL Server 2008 Express x64 (64-bit)

Processor
Processor type:

Minimum: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Processor speed:

Minimum: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster


Operating System
Windows Server 2003 x64

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Standard1

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit x64 Enterprise1

Windows Vista Ultimate x64

Windows Vista Home Premium x64

Windows Vista Home Basic x64

Windows Vista Enterprise x64

Windows Vista Business x64

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Web1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Standard without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Data Center without Hyper-V1

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 64-bit x64 Enterprise without Hyper-V1

Memory
RAM:

Minimum:256 MB

Recommended: 1.024 GB

Maximum: 1 GB for the Database Engine

Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506.aspx