diff --git a/sorty_test.go b/sorty_test.go
index 97d36fc..53c9b42 100644
--- a/sorty_test.go
+++ b/sorty_test.go
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	bufFull = 1 << 25
+	// will have many equal & distinct elements in buffers
+	bufFull = 10_000_000
 	bufHalf = bufFull / 2
 )
 
@@ -304,8 +305,8 @@ var stNames = [4]string{"sorty-1", "sorty-2", "sorty-3", "sorty-4"}
 
 func init() {
 	maxMaxGor = uint64(runtime.NumCPU())
-	if maxMaxGor == 0 {
-		maxMaxGor = 1
+	if maxMaxGor < 2 {
+		maxMaxGor = 2
 	} else if maxMaxGor > 4 {
 		maxMaxGor = 4
 	}