SQL Server 2012 and 2008: Geometry Performance

Question

Hello-
Has anyone experienced increased I/O performance with SQL Server 2012 vs. 2008 when using Sql Geometry?  We have found that by modifying the default spatail index from: Medium for all four levels with 16 cells per object, to Medium for levels 1-3, Low for Level 4 with 64 cells per object significantly increased draw speeds since 10.1 for large complex layers such as Parcels and have been using this index ever since.

Does anyone know if the SQL Server 2012 daatabase engine handles Sql Geometry more efficiently?  Our sde currently resindes on a Windows Server 2008R2 with 16 cores (no hyperthreading!) and 64-gb of RAM with a RAID 10 configuration.
Thanks
David

ThomasColson · Answer

SQL 2012 introduced autogrid (with 8 levels), but legacy SDE spatial tables will still use the 4-level index unless you specifically recreate the index. I've found that starting with 1024 cells with autogrid is worth at least a 10% increase in draw times for large tables.