0.36.1: Download speed drops significantly when decoding

[Appel]

The following situation:
- rar files being downloaded are 400 MB
- maximum memory cache size is set to 600 MB
- when a rar is being decoded, the download speed drops from about 6000 KB/s to 1800-3000 KB/s
- the file that is being downloaded does not go over 50% (i.e. it does not use the full 600 MB cache size)

I never had this with previous versions, but I must say that this is one of the first times I encounter 400 MB rar files.

[cr4zyfr4g]

what are your computer specs (cpu speed/type of hdd)?
are your download/temp and unrar folders on the same hdd?

decoding a 400mb rar file takes quite some time and ressources during which the downloading will slow down if its not enough. The time/ressources that are needed to decode are not linear. That means that a 2 times bigger file needs more then 2 times ressources and time to decode.
You won't notice this very much with small files.

[Appel]

CPU is P8600 @ 2.4 GHz (average laptop)
All folders in the same partition.

The problem does not exist with smaller files, as you point out. As the download of the file takes X seconds, and the decode takes perhaps 0.2 X seconds, it would be better if the resources used by the decode would be less. The decode would perhaps take 0.5 X seconds (half the time of the download of a rar file), which is quick enough to keep up with the download. Perhaps then the download could keep up at full speed, overall speeding up the download.

[Hecks]

Have you tried playing with the decoder priority and other settings in Setup > Misc #2? I'm curious if this has any effect in this particular situaton.