Nick,
Your idea assumes that the "lag" problem is due to overloading a single machine, which plays double roles: database backeand and web server. So, if we divide the work amoung 2 or more machines, you expect faster throughput. Right?
(I'm just repeating the obvious to make sure that what's obvious to me, is what you really meant!)
I guess if we all pitch in $50 each we can buy another machine. Where should I send my money?
Ed Poor