Very high CPU usage

[honeynmilk]

Hello,

I am having a constant problem with CPU whenever I post new images on site. Exactly when my visitors start to view them all at once.
I'm having over 500 visitors online in the gallery and I post only high resolution images. So when a new album is created and everyone want to check it out my CPU is like: Server load 63.13 (8 CPUs)
I've started to remove everything that might make the site load and use mysql, I don't have any slideshows, just 5 thumbnails in a row

I am wondering if the full preview script is not causing this. Maybe there is a way to change the script from loading image in a pop up to simple _blank html direction/direct link?

I am using the last 1.4 version since 1.5 scares me a little with changes (I wouldn't be able to make a nice theme by myself I guess) but maybe upgrading would make a difference?
Maybe someone got any ideas what might be causing such a huge server load (besides obvious traffic) and how to decrease it?

[phill104]

Sorry, but support has ceased for the 1.4.x line since last year. We just do not have the manpower to support too many versions.