[Plugin: W3 Total Cache] *REALLY* High Query Counts? Really Need Help

Yesterday, I went live with a new theme as well as installed W3 Total Cache. The site is http://www.pcmech.com.

The problem is that, since doing that, the server load has been MUCH higher than usual (averaging 2.0 or higher whereas before it was less than 0.5 on average). Also, the query count for DB activity seems to be MUCH MUCH higher. I say “seems” to be because I have my own get_num_queries() call in the footer and the numbers it returns vary wildly.

But, here is what my homepage shows now in the source:

<!-- 22 queries -->
</body>
</html>
<!-- Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: http://www.w3-edge.com/wordpress-plugins/

Minified using disk
Page Caching using disk (enhanced)
Database Caching 447/469 queries in 0.297 seconds using disk
Content Delivery Network via pcmech.pcmediainc.netdna-cdn.com

Served from: www.pcmech.com @ 2010-08-03 21:03:19 -->

It shows 22 queries, then shows a MUCH higher number in the W3 stats.

When I refresh using a logged in browser, I get query counts of 455 sometimes, but not W3 stats (because it isn’t caching logged in users).

I don’t know what to make of this at all.

I’m obviously not a server guy, but I want to make sure things are running smoothly. I cannot find anything in the theme or plug-ins which would generate actual query counts in the hundreds like that. So, I’m left wondering if something is sending me on a wild goose chase here with regard to W3 Total Cache.

BTW, I have the page cache and DB cache enabled. Everything seems to be working well. Site actually appears fairly snappy, but the server load is indeed higher.