PHP running on CGI?

I understand PHP is running on CGI at Dreamhost. It runs my Drupal site rather slowly and there are timeout issues apparently. I'm also using up too much resources.

Is there no way of running PHP other than CGI? I was recommended to switch... Can you enlighten me?

In the panel under domains, web, edit the domain, there is a checkbox to turn on/off "Run PHP as CGI? (highly recommended)" as well as "PHP Version 5? (*ONLY WORKS WITH PHP-CGI*)."

Good luck,

BobS