Advice for system build utilizing Optane...

[Jesse_Bolt]

Getting ready to build with a Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Pro WIFI motherboard. Says it is Intel Optane Memory Ready and has two M.2 slots. I see a lot of reviews, tests and systems builds online with this motherboard and no one appears to utilize the Optane benefits.

Although I am not certain from what I have read about Optane, it appears that I simply install one Intel Optane M.2 2280 32GB PCIe NVMe 3.0 x2 Memory Module/System Accelerator in the M.2 slot closest the the processor. Install another storage drive. Complete the build. Install Windows 10 Home 64bit on the storage drive. Check the Bios for specific settings. Next format the storage drive to GPT and magically Optane gets recognized and will accelerate all GPT storage drives; except it will not accelerate another M.2 storage module.

Possibly re-install Windows 10 Home 64bit after the GPT format?

[AlHill]

"no one appears to utilize the Optane benefits. " Well, I can tell you there is a remarkable benefit. I use optane with a hdd on one of my systems, and the difference is quite remarkable.

However, you need to stop now and read the following documents. Optane is not for the novice. You need to know what you are doing and how to manage the optane environment. And, you need to make certain you have backups of your data, BEFORE you setup optane.

Read these three documents, in this order:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000023994/memory-and-storage/intel-optane-memory.html

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000024018/memory-and-storage/intel-optane-memory.html

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000023853/memory-and-storage/intel-optane-memory.html

Doc

[Jesse_Bolt]

Thank you for the links. Some of it I have read. There is an awful lot of information to navigate through and figure out what applies to my specific build to achieve the optimal performance.

My comment "...no one appears to utilize the Optane benefits" was taken out of context, not meaning you are not using Optane. Feel free to Google "Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Pro WIFI" and look at the reviews, tests and systems builds. They might mention Optane is a feature, but no one is installing an Intel Optane module to activate the Optane benefits. That is why I am here... trying to figure out how to utilize Optane on my specific build; which will be a new & clean install.

[AlHill]

Make sure you read all of it, and think about it, before you start. This includes having the latest bios on your board, and your decision about 16gb vs 32gb optane.

And, you should seek support from the gigabyte forum where users have already used optane before starting your build.

Be prepared for some frustration.

Doc

[Jesse_Bolt]

I went to the Gigabyte forum a couple of days ago to ask what I thought was a simple question.... what graphic cards are recommended for the Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Pro WIFI motherboard? Gigabyte makes graphic cards, specifically AORUS graphic cards. No answer yet.

Before I posted a message on their forum, I checked support for compatible graphic cards. Only found processor and memory compatibility.

I did a forum search with the word "Optane". Sadly, not a lot of people discussing Optane. I'm afraid Optane could be a foreign concept there. Again, that is why I am here. I appreciate your help.

[AlHill]

And, have a good backup of your data!! Backup your data prior to starting. And, once you have optane installed and working, you may want to do what I do. I take regular system backups. On my optane system, I disable optane (using the app), take the backup, and then enable optane. Yes, it is a pain.

Doc

[LeonWaksman · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jesse Bolt​ 

1. I want to add some information to this given already by Al .
2. Using Optane memory to accelerate a HDD gives quite big speed advantage. See this video which demonstrates it very well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chbfFKcZCkE . I would suggest to install Windows on high speed 250 GB SSD (which is in reasonable price already) and use Optane to accelerate large size SATA HDD (since the large size SSDs are still expensive). This HDD may be used for Data storage. In my opinion there is no reason to complicate the system and the backups with Optane memory, if the speed on the Dta drive is not important for you. For example if it is used for pictures, music or documents storage.
3. After installing Windows 10 (the storage drives must be GPT formatted), you should update Bios and drivers https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z390-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-10/support#support-dl-driver.
4. The Optane memory should be installed as described in section 3-2 of User's Manual https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_z390-aorus-pro_wifi_1001_190708_e.pdf

Leon