300,000 row sql database constantly updating but running slow (need fix)

New mysql/mysqli/? method of constantly updating sql rows Reaccuring action: Delete FROM table where field1 = 1 AND timefield > 3 hours 5000+ times UPDATE table SET info, info, info WHERE xid=? While this continuously happens the front end of the website is like a search engine with many filters for all of the different fields THE PROBLEM: We are currently using older php/mysql code and it requires a heavy dedicated server in order to handle all the query requests + updates + deleting The current process happens to run slow sometimes requiring a sql server reboot. THE SOLUTION We are looking for someone with extensive knowledge when it comes to dealing with large databases that are constantly having the rows updated and queried to help find a way to change the process in which we do things. We need to be able to update the table without it taking so much effort by the server. The goal is to be able to run this properly on a less expensive server that will require less power due to the newer code and sql setup. I believe do to unefficient coding that its much more taxing on the server than it really has to be. Need someones expert opinion on the proper way to be running this. And if a solution is possible, need them to recode the files and sql run correctly.