>The issue is whether or not the current server is pegged on cpu utilization or disk access. If the current server is not pegged then the splitting may cause almost no change in performance. However, splitting will provide for scaling to a higher load without losing performance.

Yes, it's mostly about the disk access. Of course, once the bandwith upgraded, new powerful server in place, if the need is still in place to offer more power, then we have to think of separating the data into a dedicated server and creating Web application servers for as much as needed. But, then again, we'll loose speed access so in this case, we could consider moving the data into a client/server approach.