Filesystem performance tuning options for ext3

Is ext3 a requirement? You have the XFS filesystem as an option, which may work better for your workload. What is the underlying storage setup? What are your measured results compared to the storage system's capabilities (e.g. have you identified the bottleneck?)? Try the other I/O scheduler elevator settings. I prefer noop for certain direct-attached storage arrays and deadline for others. Test and measure for your particular application.