Consider which plugin's you have, both Flash and Java? I hate flash as it is system intensive. I do use an extension call FlashBlock which allows me start Flash animations on demand.
Also you mentioned the nVidia card, you didn't say if your using the proprietary driver. I find much better 2D performance when it is installed. http://flashblock.mozdev.org/ -- Simon Males <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html