I have been using tmpfs for /tmp for many years (since 2005 IIRC). Note that I do have large amounts of swap space (typically 64GB). One simple benefit is tha

I have been using tmpfs for /tmp for many years (since 2005 IIRC). Note that I do have large amounts of swap space (typically 64GB). One simple benefit is that files there do not get caught in backups - they are temporary detritus so I don't want backup space wasted by them. The major benefit is that fsync is really slow on Linux. Typically it turns into a sync, and a lot of programs like to ensure you don't lose data by being fsync happy. For temporary stuff that is even more painful - you don't care about data loss - that is why it is in tmp in the first place. TLDR: I prefer filesystem operations on transient/temporary files and data to run at the speed of RAM, and not end up in backups or waiting for syncs.