Optane™ Memory Ready For Prime Time?

Bumpkin · 25 Nov 2018

I just ordered a HP computer. One of the features is Optane memory.

After I placed the order I got to thinking I have never run across this tech before. Started looking over these forums and found very little info.

One of the things I looked for was if Macrium Reflect was going to successful restoring an image. The Macrium support forum did not have any info.

Now I'm getting worried about getting any help with support with the OS and hardware.

Looking for any advice if you think it's a bit early to jump on the tech.

spunk · 25 Nov 2018

Imagine an Optane memory add-on as a supercharger for a conventional gasoline engine: it’s not a required component to make the engine work, and it doesn’t replace any existing parts, it just makes the whole thing run faster
https://www.howtogeek.com/317294/what-is-intel-optane-memory/

Bumpkin · 25 Nov 2018

Hey spunk! Thanks for the HTG article.

If the Optane is not as fast as an SSD or I can't restore an Reflect image I'll yank it out and just install a SSD!

bro67 · 25 Nov 2018

Bumpkin said:

Hey spunk! Thanks for the HTG article.

If the Optane is not as fast as an SSD or I can't restore an Reflect image I'll yank it out and just install a SSD!

RAM has zero to do with hard drive storage. Optane RAM allows the computer to be able to move stuff faster. Plenty of info out there on Intel's Optane RAM. Is Intel Optane Memory Cheap DDR3 RAM? Go to Youtube and look up Linus Tech Tips Optane RAM. Linus has plenty of videos about Optane and other items.

You may want to build your own computer, instead of a off the shelf build from HP. You will not only save money, but you can choose the components that you want. LTT has some build videos and is the best resource when it comes to best components to use if wanting a gaming computer.

bro67 · 25 Nov 2018

See this as to why Optane RAM is not really recommended. 10 Reasons Why Intelâ€™s Bleeding-Edge Optane Drive Is a Rip-Off

bobkn · 26 Nov 2018

I have no Optane devices at the moment. As far as I can tell, there are two types.

One type is a small drive (16 or 32 GB) that is used as an accelerator (cache) for an HD. (I don't know how helpful it'd be for an SSD.) This requires an Intel 7th or 8th generation Intel CPU. The links provided in the former posts all refer to that type. I presume that's what you're getting in the HP.

The second is larger, and functions as a regular NVME SSD. I believe that it only requires a PC that supports NVME. They seem to be new enough to be limited in formats. Newegg only lists one M.2 drive, and its release date is tomorrow (26 November, 2018). https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-466-_-Product

The big advantage to the Optane SSDs is that their write speeds are almost equal to their read speeds, unlike regular flash drives. The disadvantage is price; they're a lot more expensive per GB than good flash SSDs. Pricing is similar to what an NVME SSD cost 3 or so years ago.