Explain Intel Optane please

Hazel123 · Feb 3, 2022

Ok so I'll probably just get the Samsung nvme 1tb to replace the existing optane 500gb. But now I'm wondering if I could install the Optane 500gb in the HP Spectre X360 (when the charger port is fixed) - which currently on has a 250gb ssd. Do you think it would work if I also install the intel rst driver and program?

Berton · Feb 3, 2022

No hardware has been changed on my new Win11 so it's the RAID setting in the BIOS that needs changing then most likely reinstall Win11. Had to do that when removing a second HDD on Win10 which had been set up as RAID/AHCI setting in the BIOS but it was an old computer. That removal broke the boot process. Checking the specs for the NVMe drive itself that I've looked at don't mention Optane, still looking as time permits.

John · Feb 3, 2022

Hazel123 said:
I agree Wynona. This laptop happened to come with it, but if I'm looking for extra storage would I want to pay an extra £60 over the cost of a samsung evo 970 plus, to keep Optane. It would be nice to test the difference in real world use. Which isn't possible without buying the Samsung!

That is interesting - so when you say you need a special driver for making a back up with Macrium, do you mean a system image backup? Surely a system image could be made without needing a driver? I made one of this laptop when first setting it up - but just used the built in Windows 7 imaging program initially and it just made an image without issue. I might try doing one in EaseUS as well and see what happens.

It actually backsup and restores ok. It's the boot that causes a problem. Sorry my error.

Winuser · Feb 3, 2022

Hazel123 said:
I agree Wynona. This laptop happened to come with it, but if I'm looking for extra storage would I want to pay an extra £60 over the cost of a samsung evo 970 plus, to keep Optane. It would be nice to test the difference in real world use. Which isn't possible without buying the Samsung!

That is interesting - so when you say you need a special driver for making a back up with Macrium, do you mean a system image backup? Surely a system image could be made without needing a driver? I made one of this laptop when first setting it up - but just used the built in Windows 7 imaging program initially and it just made an image without issue. I might try doing one in EaseUS as well and see what happens.

I think they were trying to backup the Optane drive like it was a regular SSD.

Winuser · Feb 3, 2022

Berton said:
No hardware has been changed on my new Win11 so it's the RAID setting in the BIOS that needs changing then most likely reinstall Win11. Had to do that when removing a second HDD on Win10 which had been set up as RAID/AHCI setting in the BIOS but it was an old computer. That removal broke the boot process. Checking the specs for the NVMe drive itself that I've looked at don't mention Optane, still looking as time permits.

Does your laptop have the Optane memory installed?

Berton · Feb 3, 2022

Winuser said:
Does your laptop have the Optane memory installed?

I've not yet confirmed one way or the other. The Intel program suggests it may but not enabled. Specs I've read about the Hynix BC711 NVMe drive itself haven't been conclusive, still looking.

Winuser · Feb 3, 2022

Hazel123 said:
Ok so I'll probably just get the Samsung nvme 1tb to replace the existing optane 500gb. But now I'm wondering if I could install the Optane 500gb in the HP Spectre X360 (when the charger port is fixed) - which currently on has a 250gb ssd. Do you think it would work if I also install the intel rst driver and program?

You have a 500 gb Optane mempry card or a 500 GB NVME card? If the motherboard allows it you can replace the Optane memory with a NVMe drive. I did it on my old desktop.

Winuser · Feb 3, 2022

Berton said:
I've not yet confirmed one way or the other. The Intel program suggests it may but not enabled. Specs I've read about the Hynix BC711 NVMe drive itself haven't been conclusive, still looking.

View attachment 20646

If the laptop does have the Optane memory it might be turned off in the BIOS.

Berton · Feb 3, 2022

Winuser said:
If the laptop does have the Optane memory it might be turned off in the BIOS.

Could be but since the factory install set the BIOS as RAID I'll need to get by but first need to reinstall from USB after changing the BIOS setting.

Winuser · Feb 3, 2022

Berton said:
I've not yet confirmed one way or the other. The Intel program suggests it may but not enabled. Specs I've read about the Hynix BC711 NVMe drive itself haven't been conclusive, still looking.

View attachment 20646

Is this is the laptop you have? This one doesn't list optane memory. It does have a NVMe drive and a 5400 HDD. Dell Vostro 3400 14" Laptop Computer - Black; Intel Core i5 11th Gen 1135G7 2.4GHz Processor; 8GB DDR4-2666 RAM; 256GB - Micro Center

Berton · Feb 3, 2022

No, mine is the Dell Vostro 14 3000 but advertised as the 3400, no included SSD or HDD.

Hazel123 · Feb 3, 2022

Winuser said:
You have a 500 gb Optane mempry card or a 500 GB NVME card? If the motherboard allows it you can replace the Optane memory with a NVMe drive. I did it on my old desktop.

It has 500gb with 30gb optane at present. I need a 1tb drive. I was deliberating whether to just replace with a 1tb nvme or get the same optane drive in 1tb (which costs £60 more).

Hazel123 · Feb 3, 2022

Berton said:
I've not yet confirmed one way or the other. The Intel program suggests it may but not enabled. Specs I've read about the Hynix BC711 NVMe drive itself haven't been conclusive, still looking.

View attachment 20646

Did it come with the intel program installed? ie manufacturer set up? That doesn't look like an optane drive - it says nvme. Device Manager in my laptop, under disk drives, says Intel Optane+477GBSSD.

Berton · Feb 3, 2022

Hazel123 said:
Did it come with the intel program installed? ie manufacturer set up? That doesn't look like an optane drive - it says nvme. Device Manager in my laptop, under disk drives, says Intel Optane+477GBSSD.

Fresh from Dell on Oct. 15 with Win10 Pro, finished setup then was offered Win11, installed without issue.

Hazel123 · Feb 3, 2022

However, in the service manual for the Dell Vostro 3400 it says it does have optane (and tells you how to enable it). Did you say yours originally came with no hard drive though?

Dell Latitude 3400 Service Manual | Dell UK

Hazel123 · Feb 3, 2022

On that link it says "
NOTE Intel Optane memory is supported on computers that meet the following requirements:

7th Generation or higher Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor
Windows 10 64-bit version or higher
Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver version 15.9.1.1018 or higher

"

Assume you have the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver with that version and can open the app? If you bought it from new it should be set up and ready to go. But maybe your model doesn't have it. My HP model is listed as not having it, but a version of the same model from Currys does have it. Which I assume mine is. It was also a different colour to the standard HP model. Very confusing how they have different models with different sellers! John Lewis has some HP models that even HP don't stock.

Winuser · Feb 3, 2022

Berton said:
Fresh from Dell on Oct. 15 with Win10 Pro, finished setup then was offered Win11, installed without issue.

I've been thinking about your laptop. If I understand correctly the laptop was setup for RAID. If so, wouldn't there have to be two or more drives?

Berton · Feb 3, 2022

Winuser said:
I've been thinking about your laptop. If I understand correctly the laptop was setup for RAID. If so, wouldn't there have to be two or more drives?

That's the issue I'm working now, the BIOS is set for RAID and if I set it on AHCI/UEFI Windows won't boot. It's 'nice' it is happening on my computer and not a clients and as in the past when changes happen it's a learning experience. Last time I had it happen was Win10 picked up the AHCI/RAID setting in the BIOS and with a 250GB and a 320GB drive installed worked good until I decided to remove the 320GB, broke the boot and necessitated a reinstall.

Winuser · Feb 3, 2022

Berton said:
That's the issue I'm working now, the BIOS is set for RAID and if I set it on AHCI/UEFI Windows won't boot. It's 'nice' it is happening on my computer and not a clients and as in the past when changes happen it's a learning experience. Last time I had it happen was Win10 picked up the AHCI/RAID setting in the BIOS and with a 250GB and a 320GB drive installed worked good until I decided to remove the 320GB, broke the boot and necessitated a reinstall.

I never used RAID. For my computer use I didn't see where it would have been an advantage.

Winuser · Feb 3, 2022

Berton said:
That's the issue I'm working now, the BIOS is set for RAID and if I set it on AHCI/UEFI Windows won't boot. It's 'nice' it is happening on my computer and not a clients and as in the past when changes happen it's a learning experience. Last time I had it happen was Win10 picked up the AHCI/RAID setting in the BIOS and with a 250GB and a 320GB drive installed worked good until I decided to remove the 320GB, broke the boot and necessitated a reinstall.

Just a thought! Have you checked in Disk Management to see if the laptop has another drive that doesn't have an assigned drive letter?