root hints and forwarder

[wfbtr]

I have DNS set up on a 2K Server. I have two of my ips's dns server ip's in the forwarder list, but also have a list of a-m root-servers.net in the root hints tab, some of which timeout with a ping.
Anyway, I notice a slowing of the Internet after a consultant messed with the dns settings. I've seen where root hints should just be deleted if I have isp forwarders, but I want to make sure about this.
Also, I have two nic's on this server that shares the Internet connection. I believe I'm supposed to have the preferred dns listed as itself (my dns server) and the alternate as the isp connection. Right now it only has itself listed as preferred. And I assume that config is for the nic that attaches to the Internet, not the intranet.

can anyone clarify? I'm hoping this is the cause of my slowed Internet access.
Thanks in advance.

 

[wfbtr]

That seemed to do the trick. I deleted the root hints and added the isp's dns servers to the nic that I use as a gateway. Now the websites come up much faster, though I still think it should be a hair faster.