which hardware for db/app

[Bob Ababurko]

Hello-

I have a chance of migrating hardware for our web/app/db configuration. 
    Currently, I am running web and php on two loadbalanced Sun 
Ultra2(2x300Mhz, 512MB RAM) running FreeBSD 5.3 with a SUN Ultra60 with 
the same procs and RAM as the web,(2x300Mhz, 512MB RAM).  I am having 
issues with the db running slowly at this time and do not really know 
where to start to determine the cause or fix since I do not know much 
about mysql.  I did have some issues with the db and ran isamchk to fix 
errors on a few of the tables but since then it ha been running slow. 
Can someone possibly show me to a resource that may be abe to help me 
determine the issues that I am having as well as some possible tweeks 
for mysql 3.23.58 server, which is what is running.  On the web/php 
side, we have apache 1.3.31 and php4-4.3.8_2.

I also have hardware that I am gooing to posibly migrate these servers 
to:  I have a dual AMD 2800+(2200Mhz) and an AMD 2200+(1500Mhz).  I am 
wondering what I should use for what here.  I am not sure if O should 
use the dual amd for the apache/php or the mysql.  If anyone has any 
ideas on what would be the optimal setup with the given hardware then 
please let me hear it.  I would appreciate the input.

thanks,
Bob