In this case, cache files don't add any benefit beyond the current browsing session. (You wouldn't want to delete your cache during the browsing session because then simply clicking the Back button would require a full reload from the Internet.)

Deleting the cache will improve overall system performance by freeing up additional hard disk space and by removing the multitude of cache files from your system's internal file tracking system (i.e. the desktop databases). But more importantly, browser performance and stability are improved because there is no chance for corrupted cache files and the browser will not waste time searching through a large cache.

What's all this about corrupted cache files?

A corrupted cache file is simply one that contains invalid data or one that is not properly referenced in the browser's table of cached data.

Unfortunately, corrupted cache files are as much the norm as the exception. The most common cause of corrupted cache files is a system crash. For example, when your browser is busily loading text and graphics to layout a page and suddenly your mouse is frozen, you can bet that the remnant of this will be corrupted cache files!

If, after restarting your computer, you immediately launch your web browser without clearing the cache, you will likely be greeted shortly by another freeze caused by a corrupted cache file.