...Is there still a need for large amounts of RAM?...
Yes.
Even if you know very little about computing architecture or electronics, have a look at a contemporary ATX motherboard.
- Look at the placement of the DIMM slots in relation to the CPU socket
- Look at the placement of the SATA III or the m.2 SATA or SATAe socket in relation to the CPU socket.
- Look at the DIMM socket, how many connector pins does it have.
- Look at the SATA III, m.2, SATAe socket, how many pins does it have.
This is just basic plumbing, but it should give you some idea of the difference and what will need to change in order for the two types of RAM to become one.
Yes, SSD's are moving closer and closer to the CPU but the "drive" as a medium for "store & retrieve" will go the way of tape. Things like NV-DIMM is more than likely going to become the norm in 4-7 years.
If you had a motherboard with a CPU socket with 8 DIMM sockets, and a CPU with a memory controller capable of addressing the entire space. Populate it with 32GB or 64GB NV-DIMMs and 95% of the population has their computing needs covered.
