Description:
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I'm developing a publishing tool with php, but am having trouble after i switched server.

Old configuration:
P3 800mhz
512mb ram

New configuration
p4 2.8 x 2
512mb ram
s-ata disks, raid

both systems run:
php-4.3.3
apache-2.0.47
mysql-4.0.13 (not relevant)

also upgraded to php-4.3.6 on p4 without any change.

On the new system, the php code seems to be pausing at random places (have been inserting error_log calls at certain points in code) for example it suddenly spent 4 seconds between 2 error_log that only had a echo() command in between.

I made a simple loop that echo("."), and it's smooth on the p3, but it's choppy and pauses every now and then on the 2xP4. i also made a similar program in c++ and it runs smooth (to prove it's not network)

i've executed the .php with php -q, proving it's not apache.

Reproduce code:
---------------
for ($cnt = 0; $cnt < 30000; $cnt++) {
         for ($ca = 0;$ca < 100; $ca++) {
                $a = $a * 3;
                $a = $a + 1;
                $a = $a / 3;
         }
         echo(".");
}