I noticed that if you disable Javascript in Safari (on the Security panel in the Preferences), it will load pages much faster. There is quite big difference even with my 512kbps cable connection. Of course, when pages contain some Javascript applications or links, they won`t work. Also, if you have saved some Javascript as a bookmark (mail URL or window rezise, for example), those won`t work. So for these kinds of pages, you need to enable Javascript again.
[robg adds: After this weekend's work on the G5 review, I'm all benchmarked out, so I haven't tested this one much -- I tried a couple of pages with it set both ways, and may have noticed a small speed increase, but I'm not sure ... so I thought I'd throw it out for general conversation.]
Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=2003101007161698