• I would start by tuning the queries.

    If that doesn't work to remove the deadlocks, then and only then add a maxdop hint to those queries.

    Server level, without knowing anything about your server, the best I can suggest is leave the maxdop at 0 and increase the cost threshold a bit. I like 25 as a starting point, but that is just a number pulled out of thin air.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

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