High SQL Server CPU Is a Signal, Not a Root Cause

This article discusses how high CPU usage in SQL Server is often misinterpreted as a need for more hardware, when it is actually a signal to investigate underlying issues. It emphasizes that the same CPU percentage can result from different problems such as inefficient queries, plan regressions, uneven workload distribution, or virtual machine contention. The article advises starting with a timeline of changes before the CPU spike, rather than immediately scaling up hardware. It provides guidance on diagnosing the true cause, including examining execution plans, workload patterns, and system configuration, to avoid masking inefficiencies with additional capacity. Targeted at database administrators and IT professionals focused on performance optimization.