realtime system database use

Question

Given a .NET environment with Windows CE, can you persist thousands of records per second in a local database (SQL Server 2008 - standard or CE).

What are the performance issues with persisting realtime instrument data in a database versus a log file?

Answer 1

SQL Server 2008 standard is more than capable of those insertion rates PROVIDED you have hardware capable of supporting it.

The question you really need to be asking is do I require the ability to search the captured data quickly?

This SO answer might be of interest: What does database query and insert speed depend on?

The number (and width) of indexes on a table will obviously have an impact on insertion rate.

If you are considering open-source, then MySQL is often cited as being able to handle high volumes.