I need a straightforward approach to measure database performance when switching between two SQL Server instances. I know the best practice involves setting up detailed monitoring tools, tracking real user activity, and analyzing query execution patterns over time. However, our team doesn’t have the resources or expertise to implement such comprehensive testing right now. We’re looking for a simpler alternative that can give us a reasonable comparison without being completely inaccurate or misleading. The solution should focus specifically on SQL Server capabilities rather than generic system benchmarks. Ideally, we could run tests using our existing database structure and data. What lightweight testing methods would you recommend for getting a basic performance comparison?
Run timing tests with your actual workload to compare SQL Server performance between instances. Create a script that runs your most common queries multiple times and use SET STATISTICS TIME ON to measure execution time. Test during off-peak hours and run each query at least 10 times for consistent results. This approach uses your existing data and schema - no complex setup needed - and you’ll get clear performance comparisons.
have you tried sqlcmd with batch scripts? you can automate your heaviest queries and capture timing data without much hassle. what queries are you running - oltp or analytics? that’ll help figure out the best approach.