Is the response time of SQL server queries impacted by "outside" processes?

[sachinbhatt]

Can the speed (response time) of a query done in a DBMS such as an SQL Server be impacted by what's going on in the system where the server is running? This article suggests that the response time is likely to increase when a few Windows programs that regularly inspect and clean the system, as well as analyze data received from the network, are operating. Is that correct?

Thanks.

[VladimirRosu · Accepted solution]

Of course. Anything that runs in the machine that hosts your server can impact anything running in that machine, since they use the same resources effectively (CPU, IO, network bandwidth). Anti-viruses especially impact stuff since they use system hooks to inspect things.