What are the advantages to having super-fast memory?

harborsparrow

There is the entire "memory hierarchy" to think of. If you are lucky, most of the program you are currently trying to run will fit into the highest level of cache memory (L1), but if it won't, some of the code will have to be shuffled back and forth with the next highest level of cache memory (L2), and if it won't fit there either, then it will actually go into RAM.

Since avoiding cache misses saves much more than having faster RAM, having larger and better cache memory can well be as important, if not more, than installing fast RAM.

Memory system design is a very complicated topic; entire series of advanced college-level computer architecture courses may be devoted to it.

A good rule of thumb, though, might be: get as much and fast memory as you can, and get it, first, at the highest levels of the memory hierarchy. In general, a fast and plentiful memory hierarchy is a better bet for spending money on than, say, a faster processor in terms of achieving overall better throughput.

It's impossible, however, to generalize about these matters. Gaming systems has very specific needs relating to graphics, network access, etc.

Good luck!