Keep PostgreSQL from sometimes choosing a bad query plan

Question

I have a strange problem with PostgreSQL performance for a query, using PostgreSQL 8.4.9. This query is selecting a set of points within a 3D volume, using a LEFT OUT

Answer 1

I am not positive it is the source of your problem but it looks like there were some changes made in the postgres query planner between versions 8.4.8 and 8.4.9. You could try using an older version and see if it makes a difference.

http://postgresql.1045698.n5.nabble.com/BUG-6275-Horrible-performance-regression-td4944891.html

Don't forget to reanalyze your tables if you change the version.