It is cache not cash and the temporary internet files retains copies of files/pages that you have visited to help load quicker if you return to the same page. The history just keeps a history of the links you have visited.
However, depending on your connection method (broadband) you may see little or no help in a browser cache. Some web sites or should I say site designers negate the worth of the cache, by having no cache and or a low refresh after x duration set so it is of little use for sites that do that.
Nowadays with the majority of people on broadband (not me) the cache is is much less worth.