MySQL/PHP Tracking Script - Crashing Our Server

[Nate]

Hello there,

I'm developing a tracking script which runs about 3-4 queries per page load. It first does 1-2 SELECT queries and then finally 2 INSERT or UPDATE queries, so a total of 4 queries for each page load. When testing this script with a large web site (roughly 200 page loads per minute) MySQL would eventually use up all memory and the server would crash. We have a quad processor 2.6ghz x 4 and 8 Gigs of ram so i'm guessing our server isn't the problem. Could it be i'm running too many queries?? If so, how do scripts like ad rotators (which i assume must run at least a few queries per page load) or other tracking scripts do it?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Nate

[Nate]

Also forgot to mention, I have tried using persistent connections but when i did that the CPU usage jumped way up... I didn't use pconnect for very long so I don't know if it would have eventually settled down. For this kind of situation would using persistant connections be the way to go?