AE Final Render is much quicker than workflow

Sounds like a drive speed issue or system resources. It is definitely not a normal problem.

AE uses what it's already rendered while you're working, so unless you make a drastic change prior to sending your Comp to the Render Queue the export time is often just the time it takes to draw the frame at the settings you've specified for the Render Settings (which ma already be done) and then create and write the frame as specified in the Output module.

I'm sure that you've noticed the green and sometimes dark blue lines that appear along the Time Ruler in the Comp Timeline tab.  That's an indication of information that's completely rendered or partially rendered.

Is it suddenly slow for Comp settings that you frequently work at?  Or is it suddenly slow after adding something that causes a sharp increase in render time (like Radial Blur at a high amount)?  If your machine is suddenly slower while doing things you usually do that usually render fast, then take a look at what else is going on in the background while you're working in AE.  But if you added something to your design that slows render time, consider disabling it (like hiding Effects) while you make edits or working at a lower Comp Resolution

As long as you have enough RAM for AE to render the Layers, more RAM won't speed things up.  Faster processors are usually needed at that point.

-Warren