How to speed up c++ linking time

Question

Is there any way, to optimalize linking time in MS Visual studio C++ (2005) ? We\'re using Xoreax Incredibuild for compilation speed up, but nothing for link.

Currently

Answer 1

If you can live without the optimization, turn off link-time code generation (remove the /GL switch or in properties c/c++ -> Optimization -> Whole Program Optimization. For the linker remove /ltcg or use the Link Time Code Generation Setting). This will make the compiler slower though, as code generation now happens during compile time.

I've seen projects that take hours to build with /GL+/LTCG, mere seconds without (this one for example: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vcgeneral/thread/750ed2b0-0d51-48a3-bd9a-e8f4b544ded8)