debian:/proc# hdparm -M254 /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
 setting acoustic management to 254
 acoustic      = 254 (128=quiet ... 254=fast)
debian:/proc# hdparm -tT /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
 Timing cached reads:   6082 MB in  2.00 seconds = 3041.75 MB/sec
 Timing buffered disk reads:  184 MB in  3.02 seconds =  60.87 MB/sec
debian:/proc#
debian:/proc#
debian:/proc# hdparm -tT /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
 Timing cached reads:   5668 MB in  2.00 seconds = 2835.39 MB/sec
 Timing buffered disk reads:  190 MB in  3.03 seconds =  62.76 MB/sec
debian:/proc#

Should I see my computer using up swap or is that normal that it isn't taking any of it?

It seems the sda is set to the max already ... comparing from previous results. This leads me to believe its the chipset modules in the kernel. Your kernel might be outdated for the hardware. I helped a guy on here a few weeks back that was using a outdated kernel, and was having kernel panic issue's.

Try going with a optimized kernel and patched for Desktop usage. I'd recommended what I am using now, for my box. Here is a site with instructions to building a kernel on your Debian box... http://zen-kernel.org/tutorials/distribution-specific-installation/debian-ubuntu-installation. The thing is ... There are some extra config options you can tweak in Zen-kernel that really make the X come alive.

If your not experiencing the same issue's when running windows, then it gives the assumption that its the chipset. Running a newer kernel is a great way to test this. You can always keep the old kernel as a failsafe and adjust the grub entries accordingly.

You might want to consider testing a "rolling release" distro that keeps your packages current. Maybe give Arch or Funtoo a try. You certainly have the hardware for it. I uninstalled Ubuntu on my secondary machine, its a "Dell" Its about a year old. I put Arch on it, and its now twice as responsive and uses less resources.. Quite impressed really.

If all else fails, and you got the $$$, get a SLC like one of these ... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227484 . Man those are quick

With 4 gigs of memory, why even have a swap... I dont, and I compile alot of code.

Thanks manwithaplan. I'll give the optimized kernel a shot and if that fails I'll install Arch or Funtoo as a triple boot.

NP, My stronger point is hardware. I've only been with Linux for about a year. So, I've had to learn all the hardware tricks in linux for my hardware. I'm always trying to squeeze the most performance out my setup. I have a WD 160 w/ 8mb cache used for backup, this drive has half the cache that your primary drive uses; and its benching about 15% better in read and write. So the conclusion is that you need to look at really tweaking out your kernel's i/o scheduler (CFQ,BFQ,FIFO) & using ext4. So jumping right into a new distro, and expecting immediate improvement might be discouraging. You have the right idea of dual-booting and testing. I first would compile the Zen kernel. If you need help with your .config, I can help there. I've spent hours of my free time just messing with kernels. LOL ... Like I said, I've been a hardware person.

If the kernel upgrade doesn't work, and you try Arch with no improvement, and if your on a tight budget for hardware. Then take a look at the WD Caviar Black edition drives. I dont have a raid setup, and this was closest drive I could find with great results and warranty.

Out of curiosity, what are your system specs (CPU/Motherboard) if you don't mind me asking?

I ended up purchasing a motherboard without the AMD SB710 chipset and it is running much better.

Wow you bought a new mobo... Ya I was going to say that your chipset wasn't best ... I use an Intel chipset, with a ICH10 sata controller.
Its definitely medium end for a desktop, but its been about a year since I built it. And really wasn't expensive. I wanna add a raid card and another drive, maybe add a quad core.

BTW what board did you get...? Have you given Arch a try..? I'm telling ya, its definitely quick.