How Does Optane Memory Works?

Introduction To Optane Memory

When you are going to market to purchase a computer you would have thought about the configuration and feature. How much RAM, Cache memory, Hard disk are the minimum requirement to en

hance your computer speed. But except these terminologies have listened to any other name in-memory technology? Yeah, there are so many technologies are coming from different Chip manufacturer companies as we know the Intel is the best processor manufacturer company to provide the best latest technology to the consumer of the world.

If you want to increase the speed of your PC then mostly you will go for RAM memory increase which is volatile in nature means after sudden power off you will lose all the data stored in your memory and also if your cache memory is not more which helps in responsive and act as a bridge in between the Processor internal register and RAM memory than how much RAM you will use it will not affect that much how you are expecting. Because still now also most of the computers are having mechanical rotating type HDD which uses the magnetic disk for data storage. To improve this with better performance and responsiveness of your computer Intel comes up with a technology known as Optane memory.

What is Intel Optane Memory?

The Intel’s Optane memory is an advanced Non Volatile RAM (NV-RAM) cache memory designed using 3D Xpoint Technology to cache or accelerate the responsiveness of data access in between the main memory and CPU register which offers a 5x to 8x performance lift in mixed Read/Write workloads, and an order of magnitude faster and more consistent response time of CPU. This Intel Optane Memory Works in a responsive way to provide the highest optimization memory access.

The 3D XPoint is a new memory storage technology that uses a three-dimensional structure to allow much faster performance and lower latency than traditional NAND flash on SSD. It can both be system memory and long-term storage also.

Basically, the Optane Memory is a form of disk caching. The aim is to provide users with the fast data access of SSDs combined with the high capacity of HDDs. Technically, the Optane Memory can be used with an SSD as well, but for purposes of this article for better understanding, I’ll just say HDD for the slower mass storage. Commonly used data gets replicated onto the fast M.2 Optane Memory storage while less important data is pulled from the hard drive. It’s a great idea in theory, but I can say the Optane Memory isn’t always a perfect solution nowadays. Because this Intel Optane Memory Works like the advanced SSD drive as each Computer system is having nowadays instead of traditional HDD drive.

Why Intel designed Optane Memory?

Most of the Processor chip companies competing in the market like as Intel, AMD, Ryzen, etc. Among them, Intel is the biggest chip manufacturer for a daily used computer. He always tried to be the best in the market. If he will not reduce the cost as per others he can’t stable in the market. So he also provides Processor with the same cost as to how much RAM, ROM, and Cache memory required. now intel provides 6 MB of cache memory in the 9th generation of Processor.

But if you want to run more applications or high-end applications or games which is not possible to store all the recently used algorithm data in 6 MB of capacity. Which needs more like in GB of data. But the cache memory is on-chip SOC which was not possible easily to extend for your personal use. I will suggest please go through my cache memory tutorial if you don’t know about the cache memory.

Even if the Cache is sufficient but the DDR RAM memory which you need to increase. But the cost of DRAM memory is more as compared to normal memory. For a common man, it is not possible to purchase this. Then intel comes up with the idea as to the use of external cache memory with 3D designed Optane memory. So if anyone wants to increase the cache accelerate they can use external optane memory which can be interfaced with PCIe slot. it is available now in 3 ranges as 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB recently designed. 

How Does Intel Optane Memory Works?

The optane Memory connects to the Processor using PCIe slot like advances SSD drive shown in this block diagram. It uses a  “least recently used” (LRU) approach to determine what data gets stored in the fast cache. It will act as a cache drive between your CPU cache, DRAM, and normal hard drives (HDD), with a capacity of 16 GB, 32 GB, or 58 GB. 

As per your CPU speed, the cache will mostly provide equivalent speed but the other external memory drives as RAM or HDD is not that much speed so to accelerate them the Optane memory will be working as a bridge in between the cache memory and other RAM and HDD.  but the question would have to arise how? Yes, when the CPU gets powered on the most frequently needed program part of OS will get stored in Optane memory which helps in booting time reduction. 2nd is after boot-up the most frequently used data or applications will be stored in high-speed optane memory.

You as a user don’t think which data will get stored in this memory, that intelligence is already implemented in optane memory which can understand and stored in it. When the user tried to access this data it will provide quickly which increases the responsiveness of data access. you can say the Optane memory always keeps the data result which completed and available in cache memory so that immediate the user can access it and vice versa.

Specification Of Optane Memory

Intel Optane memory is a high-performance, non-volatile memory solution that provides fast access to frequently used data. It is based on Intel’s 3D XPoint technology, which offers much higher performance and endurance than traditional NAND-based memory solutions.

Here are some key specifications of Intel Optane memory:

1. Capacity: Intel Optane memory is available in capacities ranging from 16 GB to 128 GB.
2. Interface: Intel Optane memory uses the NVMe interface, which provides fast and efficient data transfer speeds.
3. Performance: Intel Optane memory offers exceptional read and write speeds, with sequential read speeds up to 2.5 GB/s and sequential write speeds up to 2 GB/s.
4. Latency: Intel Optane memory offers extremely low latency, with read latency as low as 10 μs and write latency as low as 15 μs.
5. Endurance: Intel Optane memory has a high endurance rating, with the ability to endure up to 30 drive writes per day for 5 years.
6. Form Factor: Intel Optane memory is available in the M.2 form factor, which is a compact and flexible design suitable for use in a wide range of computing systems.
7. Operating System Compatibility: Intel Optane memory is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including Windows 10 and various Linux distributions.

Overall, Intel Optane memory provides a high-performance memory solution that offers fast access to frequently used data, making it ideal for use in high-end computing systems and applications that demand high performance and low latency.