Shane ... 
Would it help to eliminate the virtual memory and close the page file completely?  
I am having the same problems mentioned here but to the extreme, with a Dell 8250 running Vista.  In the past month or so I have increased the RAM from something around 612mb to 2GB.  I have increased the on board video memory from almost nothing to 512mb.  I have run every single test or repair available where ever I could find it.  Everything says my system is in ultra-excellent shape.  Yet, I still have to wait forever for a page to load, to be able to use the mouse on a new page, to be able to to do almost anything.  The truth is, I am about to virtually pull my virtual hair out.  
I will try your suggestions but I think I need an Extreme Makeover for this thing.  Can I just reload Vista again right on top of the present one?  It was an upgrade to begin with.  Would that help?
John