New Intel Optane Memory: What you need to know

Intel® has introduced a new type of data storage, the first in over thirty years.

What is Intel Optane Memory?

Intel® Optane™ Memory is a system acceleration solution for new seventh Gen Intel® Core™ processor platforms. Intel and Micron teamed up in 2012 and began developing a new type of memory storage that removes flaws found in NAND flash. They came up with Intel Optane Memory, which is now referred to as 3D Xpoint (pronounced as 'crosspoint')

Intel Optane memory features – 3D Xpoint

What differentiates Intel Optane Memory from others is that it uses an entirely new entry on the memory pyramid: 3D Xpoint. This slots in between DRAM and NAND. This product really is 3D. Wires form a criss-cross lattice above and below a bulk material, with top wires of the first layer acting as the bottom wires of the second layer. Increasing the capacity would involve adding more layers on top.

Is Intel Optane Memory worth it?

The intel 3D Xpoint has endurance ratings that score three times higher than that of NAND at the same capacity. Intel has dubbed its Xpoint technology as Optane. There are currently only three products: the 375GB, Optane DC P4800 PCIE card and two Optane Memory products of 16GB and 32 GB capacities. Optane Memory is being marketed as drive caching devices in order to speed up hard drive usage. However, Optane Memory caching currently only works with the 200 series Intel motherboards along with the 7th gen Core processor.

Increased performance speed

The top quality memory chip provides superior speed performance. Tests were completed and demonstrated faster opening times for programs like Adobe Premiere and Photoshop. After activating the 32GB Optane Memory chip, it took just 11 seconds to open a project in Photoshop, which is down significantly from the regular 37 seconds.

This is possible as Intel Optane Memory uses a new type of memory. Memory consists of anything in a computer that reads and writes data. Memory in a computer is essentially positioned in a pyramid shape; the tip of the pyramid is the memory in the CPU, then the DRAM, and then NAND-based flash storage like SSDs.

Should there be cause for concern?

While Optane Memory caching works well in making an HDD-based PC more responsive, the Optane driver cannot be uninstalled. Optane is able to be disabled afterwards, but switching the storage control back to AHCI causes Windows to not boot. Around every third boot, the Optane drive went through an 'enablement' cycle before getting to Windows. This added an additional two minutes to the boot time.

The amount of power that Optane consumes is concerning and is said to lack any meaningful power saving mode. Optane is rated for 1W at idle status, which is the lowest it gets. This may not be a big enough concern for computer users, but Optane is also available for mobile use. Adding a minimum of 1W on top of the power that is used by a mechanical hard drive, it will not help battery life, despite how fast it might make the storage system.

With the introduction of new technology brings excitement and also a risk for consumers. It is best to thoroughly understand the objective of the product and how it will benefit a user’s experience.

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