Speed I have found is more dependant upon the sql query you are using and once you have the data the method you use to display it. If you have highly optimized

Speed I have found is more dependant upon the sql query you are using and once you have the data the method you use to display it. If you have highly optimized queries and you are using Array's or GetString (not sure what they call those in .net) then you will be in good shape. For $42 from Amazon you can get the SQL Server 2005 developer version, which is the "enterprise" version, but just for development to get you started http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-SQL-Server-Developer-2005/dp/B000BHQ5JW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1203198012&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-SQL-Server-Developer-2005/dp... Personally, I am sticking with MSSQL 2000 because I know and already own it. You can get that on eBay for about $800. I hate that I tend to get out of date on Microsoft stuff, I tend to stick with what I have and not experiment once something is working the way I want it. I did buy the MSSQL 2005 developer because the price is right, one day I will try it out.