I'm trying to get a simple FULLTEXT match to be faster when using order by on another column on a table with over 100 million rows.The basis is one table with a fulltext on two columns and I want to search the database but order it by either the primary (least/most recent) or popularity. Is it possible to make a FULLTEXT with an order by on another indexed column fast? SQL Fiddle below with schema and explains of all queries:

http://sqlfiddle.com/#!9/ed646c/1

What's very fast so far is denormalization of search columns in a separate table and a join but I would rather not have another table if not necessary. SQL Fiddle below (denormalized query at the end):

http://sqlfiddle.com/#!9/0d6cde/1

I'm trying to get a simple FULLTEXT match to be faster when using order by on another column on a table with over 100 million rows. The basis is one table with a fulltext on two columns and I want to search the database but order it by either the primary (least/most recent) or popularity. Is it possible to make a FULLTEXT with an order by on another indexed column fast? SQL Fiddle below with schema and explains of all queries:

See SQL Fiddle #1

What's very fast so far is denormalization of search columns in a separate table and a join but I would rather not have another table if not necessary. SQL Fiddle below (denormalized query at the end):

See SQL Fiddle #2