• Which of the fields is the identity field? What are the datatypes for the remaining fields in your Key?

    When comparing these queries, it is difficult to answer your question without knowing the datatypes we are dealing with. Having a key combined of three different fields is going to play into your query results. Since you said the three fields comprise a clustered key - that indicates to me that your clustered index is based on those fields - this will make a difference in your queries. Since the key is used in the Select top 1 * query and the entire key is not being used when performing a select min(id).

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events