max_connections set to 500, Max_used_connections never go over 151

I have this set in the mysql config file, rebooted, seems to be correct. SHOW VARIABLES LIKE "max_connections"; +-----------------+-------+ | Variable_name | Value | +-----------------+-------+ | max_connections | 500 | +-----------------+-------+ I have a load test against my server. This never get's above 151, server just gets real slow until the testing is done. mysql> SHOW STATUS LIKE 'max_used_connections'; +----------------------+-------+ | Variable_name | Value | +----------------------+-------+ | Max_used_connections | 151 | +----------------------+-------+ I have already put in every config option that supposedly will fix this. Will Max_used_connections ever go above 151? ubuntu 16 mysql Ver 14.14 Distrib 5.7.33, for Linux (x86_64) using EditLine wrapper been dinking around with this all day, thanks for any advice.