OPTIMIZING - The fastest way to open and show a file

Hi, I m creating a cache system, and i have a problem: PHP takes a lot of time opening the file. (Im using 2.6.9-1.667smp and XFS) * For files less or equal 6 Kb, takes arround 0.02-0.03 miliseconds - its ok * For files arround 35 Kb takes arround 0.2-0.4 miliseconds - too much. What can I do to make faster opening files? ************************************************************** Source code: if(file_exists($filename)){

        $modified_date=filemtime($filename);
        if(time()<($modified_date+1 * 24 * 60 * 60)){
            $handle = fopen($filename, "r");
            $contents = fread($handle, filesize($filename));
            fclose($handle);
            echo $contents;
        }
     }

************************************************************** Thinks that I have tried: * fopen is *much* faster than include * filemtime is faster than filectime * Pear Cache its too much slower (0.5-0.7 milsecond per file) Thanks in advance Tk421