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