Configuration advisory / 05

TempDB Configuration Advisor

Generate a conservative starting checklist for TempDB. This is not an automatic tuning recommendation; observed PAGELATCH contention and workload behavior should drive changes.

Server context

Logical processors visible to SQL ServerAccount for affinity and licensing

Current TempDB data filesExcludes log files

Current size per data file (GB)If files differ, review individually

Current autogrowth per file (MB)Fixed MB preferred over percentage growth

SQL Server release

Observed TempDB allocation contention

Configuration review

Common initial data-file count—

The often-cited starting point of up to 8 equally sized TempDB data files is not a universal optimum. For more than 8 logical processors, adding files in groups of four may help only when allocation contention persists. Distinguish PAGELATCH waits from PAGEIOLATCH waits and assess version-specific behavior. Do not make production changes without testing and change control.