I hope they work on optimizing the standard client soon, because it's going to get unmanageable very fast given the rate of transactions.
This isn't going to happen soon. Mike Hearn is at least acknowledging the problem:
Re: storing scripts in the index. Yes, eliminating the blkN.dat files and putting all data into the key/value store may be a way to further reduce seeks in future.
Gavin is flat out against using any well known database techniques:
blah blah blah blah
Gentle reminder to the other bitcoin developers: it is generally best not to feed trolls. Use the ignore button.
So yeah, use either:
1) software RAM-drives
2) hardware RAM-drives
3) write-behind battery-backed RAID controllers
4) proper SAN filers
EDIT:
5) or even an improper SAN filer: just a separate box running iSCSI target over GigE attachment.
to store those vital files in your servers.