Intel is trying to redefine the memory space for CPUs and is hoping that their new Optane line will be revolutionary enough to bring ultra-fast performance to current generation PCs. Here is all that’s needed to know about Intel’s new memory chips and why they matter.
What is Intel Optane Memory?
Intel’s Optane Memory chips are non-volatile memory modules that are capable of writing speeds of 280MBps and read speeds of 1.2GBps. They will be identified by Windows OS systems as separate drives on the system, but won’t necessary act like them, which means users will not be able to boot Windows 10 or even save anything on them.
What this memory functions as, is cache memory that is meant to improve load times significantly. Much like an SSD drive in essence, but more optimized for launching and accessing files than before. Intel Optane is the result of the matrimony of Intel and Micron who had announced a kind of technology called 3D XPoint that promised 1000x the performance of NAND-based SSDs that are supposed to be a fraction of the cost of traditional DRAMs. Optane is just a glance of that potential.
How does it work?
Intel Optane Memory is generally supposed to serve as an assistant to HDDs and SSDs, serving as a catalyst for faster boot times and level mappings in applications. With Optane memory installed, it will be possible for applications to load faster, game levels to be loaded sooner and files to be accessed faster as well, using the super-fast cache management process that is unique to Intel Optane. It currently will be available in two variants – a $44 16GB variant as well as a 32GB $77 variant.
Working in co-operation with the hard disk, Optane is able to boost performance of any PC system by leaps and bounds for increased productivity and efficiency. As the numbers put, users can expect 28 percent storage performance improvement, with Outlook opening 6x times faster, Chrome launching 5x faster and games loading 18x faster.
In short, Optane just boosts how fast the system can access and recover files, thanks to intelligent cache registering.
Does it work on any setup?
No. Unfortunately, Intel wants to ensure that this technology is completely future ready, and that means dumping the slightly older form of tech that is even relevant today. It won’t be compatible with anything less than Kaby Lake processors and will need at least the Intel Z270 motherboard and other 200-series chipsets.
This also means that the memory module will not be compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 OS versions. So, if any of those enthusiasts want to make the best of their set up, they will need the latest hardware in order to achieve the kind of I/O speeds that Optane promises.
Is it worth it?
Right now, not really. The speed increase, although being significant, means that users will need only the latest and greatest hardware to run it. Those who already have shifted to better SSDs in their PCs will probably not need the extra luxury of Optane. Intel is soon going to come out with Optane-ready SSDs in the near future, so enthusiasts will want to wait this one out for now until they can get a taste of Intel’s high-efficiency energy management solution later on.
Buying Optane right now, makes sense for businesses who want to maximise their productivity gains for their various platforms, especially those who deal with transferring high-quality video files, that normally take ages to move. Digital video production houses will probably be the early adopters right now, more than anyone else as rendering, visualising and production all factor into the capabilities of the new memory standard that Intel has made.
The bottom line is, most tech wizards aren’t that impressed with Intel’s new technology; and it could be possible that it might not be as innovative or generation-defining as Intel probably intended for it to be.
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