Unresponsive system when copying large files drive-to-drive (x86_64)

Question

I'm running Arch x86_64 on a quad core Xeon processor/P35 motherboard w/ 4 gigs of RAM.  I also have two SATAII, 7200 RPM HDDs.  For the most part, Arch is a VERY responsive platform.  I am noticing some really odd unresponsiveness that only happens when I copy large files from one hdd to another hdd.
Symptoms:
-Mouse cursor skips (doesn't move smoothly)
-Windows such as firefox or shell don't move smoothly across the screen if I move them
-Keyboard lag - as I type this post ) my fingers are going faster than the text is appearing
Once the copy is finished, everything is normal again.  I swear I read someone else reporting this behavior, I just can't find it. Two questions:
1) Is normal for the x86_64 kernel?
2) If not, what can I tweak to remedy it?
EDIT: Ack!  Found the post I remembered reading:
http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=70525
Last edited by graysky (2009-07-04 10:51:35)

Answer 1

if the file is bigger than 4gig(uncompressed) then u need swap partition, as the first thing it does is copy the file to memory and if it overflows it is bad. then your server is 1/3 options, either server/middle/desktop. if it is server, it doesn't care what framerate u get on X. then there is the timer. I'm running mine at 300 but arch's default should be 1000. the higher it is the more it "checks" what needs to be done with files, events, etc. then there is the file system type and block size factor. if ur block size is really low like me(1024k) then ur hd has to write more times(on and off) just to write out the huge file. so for huge files, format with huge block size(4096k?) so that the hd does less work.
Last edited by darthaxul (2009-07-04 19:49:07)