Pairing intel memory with new DRAM / DRAM-less SATA 2.5” SSD

[AG56]

I have a 6 year old ASUS laptop that came pre installed with 16 gb optane memory , 8 gb ram , 1 TB HDD and windows 10 . Now , the HDD has become painfully slow and even with optane acceleration , it is tiresome to work on the laptop .  The boot time is still in seconds but loading applications takes much time compared to before.

Can’t find a m.2 NVMe slot of Gen 3*4 . So I am thinking of buying a SATA III 2.5” SSD . I have heard DRAM SSD are preferred over DRAM -less SSD .  Since optane memory and DRAM SSD use some sort of caching process , will buying DRAM SSD compete with my laptops OPTANE MEMORY (I prefer to keep the optane memory as it is )and be less efficient or both have nothing to do with each other ?

Since I am a novice about this stuff , which one will be better to boost my laptop’s performance with less cost (since laptop is old and DRAM SSDs are costlier) and smooth upgrade (new ssd will be the boot drive)?

[LeonWaksman]

If you have an Optane M Series Memory module installed in your laptop, you may install instead of Optane, a NVMe SSD (rather than SATA SSD) in the same slot.  Before removing Optane memory, do not forget to disable Optane Acceleration (engagement with the HDD). 

In addition, the SATA Mode in BIOS is set now to "Intel RST Premium with Intel Optane System". After disabling the Optane Acceleration, change the SATA Mode to "AHCI".   In order to change SATA Mode without destroying Windows boot, Windows must be set to SAFE Boot Mode:

    While in Windows, press Windows key + r. Run msconfig .  Chose Boot tab and enable Safe boot. Reboot your system.

    During system boot enter Bios again. Now you can change the SATA mode to "AHCI". Save the setting and boot into windows in SAFE  mode. Disregard the warning you will see.

   While in Windows, press Windows key + r. Run msconfig. Chose Boot tab and uncheck Safe boot. 

Now, your system is ready to accept the new NVMe SSD (Optane disabled and SATA Mode set to AHCI).

Finally you can clone your HDD to the new SSD. In the end, after wiping the HDD, you may set the DOCUMENTS, PICTURES, VIDEO location to the HDD, living Windows and Programs on the fast SSD.

Leon

[AG56]

I got my system checked into the service centre because it would repeatedly run into “ ASUS BIOS Utility - EZ mode” (sometimes on booting , other times system being woken up from being idle) . They suspected HDD issue (fresh installation of windows 10 was done , took 3+ hours)  and suggested to upgrade to SATA III SSD 

Now coming to OPTANE MEMORY , I don’t know whether it is M series or H Series . The limited knowledge I have of it is M Series is for system acceleration , and H series is more on the lines of a standard SSD . I suspect mine to be M series . How do I confirm ? . I looked up the details of the model on the ASUS website , did not find it .

Regarding running NVME on “ AHCI” and not “NVMe” protocol would be not utilising the full efficiency and paying extra (as compared to SATA). 

Given the full context of the age of the device , price and general hassle of disabling optane and upgrading to NVMe (plus the HDD needs to go) , I am not sure if it would worth it . 

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @AG56 

It is for you to decide if it is worth to replace the Optane Memory with a NVMe SSD, instead of SATA drive. This is my advice and in my opinion this is the right solution to drastically improve the performance.

Any way there is a easy way to verify if you have an Optane M Memory installed:

1. Run the installed in your laptop application: Intel Optane and Memory Management.

2. Click on "Manage" on L.H. side.

4. In the "Status" panel (on R.H. side), click on PCIe, a box should open

5. Read the model number. For 16GB module it will be MEMPEK1W016GA 

Leon

[AG56]

Intel optane memory : MEMPEK1J01 (from device manager)

“Intel Optane and Memory Management” not found in system . This seems to be a case where the service centre technician has not enabled the optane memory  (after fresh installation of windows 10) 

is there any way I can enable it now ? I tried downloading intel optane memory setup . Installation failed with a message “unsupported system drive last partition” . Do I need to download a partition software and partition the optane memory module or the HDD ?

I was thinking of first enabling optane and checking performance . If doesn’t improve , NVMe ssd gen 3*2 SSD in place of optane memory .

[LeonWaksman]

OK, I see, you decided to stay with Optane. I'll try to give you help how to proceed:

1. Please download and read the Intel Optane Memory M Series Installation and User Guide.  

    Be aware that the drive to be accelerated should have GPT format/partition (rather than MBR). Make sure to leave an "Unallocated" space with minimum 5 MB in the end of HDD.

2. Download the The Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) Driver (18.7.6.1010.3).  The SetupRST.exe is the new installer that will install the Intel RST driver and start the process of installing the Intel® Optane™ Memory and Storage Management application from the Microsoft Store

3. Follow the installation procedure from the User Guide, to enable Optane Acceleration. If you have important data on your drive, I suggest to perform full system backup, before starting the above procedure.

Leon

[AG56]

This will require some looking into .

Alternatively if I opt for m.2 SATA ssd to replace optane , and not m.2 NVMe ssd , would m.2 NVMe ssd be faster (since both will be using AHCI protocol) . Also as far I could get info , my m.2 slot can accommodate NVMe gen 3*2 ssd (with m & b keys).

Thank you for your continuous guidance .

[LeonWaksman]

1. The M.2 NVMe SSD Gen 3 is 6 times faster at least from M.2 SATA SSD (3400 MB/sec vs 560 MB/sec).

2. If you have in your laptop Optane Series M Memory, it means that you have M.2 slot with NVMe interface. You shall ask for further advice ASUS support.

Leon

[Fikri_Intel]

Hi AG56,

Thank you for contacting Intel.

We appreciate you reaching out to us regarding the reported issue. To assist you more effectively and provide an accurate solution, we kindly request the following details:

1- What is Optane Model installed in your laptop?

2- Does the Optane having any issue?

Along with that, if you wanted to replace the your 1TB HDD, we kindly request you to check with you laptop manufacturer or place of purchase for NVME/SSD compatibility with your system. They will be best equipped to provide support and address any concerns related to the product.

Regards,

FIkri O.

[AG56]

1) Don’t know . Looked up the details of the model number on the ASUS website . All I found was “ Optane memory 16gb “ . How do I know more ?

2)No , the optane runs fine . Boot time is in seconds .

[Simon-Intel]

Hi AG56,

Thank you for your response.

On account on customer firmware and drivers, I kindly request you to contact OEM/Asus for further support as they would be best equipped to help you with this issue. 

Regards,

Simon

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Fikri_Intel]

Hi AG56,

Good day to you.

Upon checking, the Intel Optane M series has reached End of Interactive Support (EOIS) and discontinued. This is to inform you that the support for the said products has been switched to self-service support.

The available self-service support options include:

# Technical support content available online

# Discontinued products could be under warranty. Submit warranty service through the Warranty Center (supporttickets.intel.com).

# Support and services for the Intel® Partner Alliance partners through the Intel® Partner Alliance support site (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/secure/partner-alliance/overview.html)

# Help from other users in the Intel Support Community (https://community.intel.com/)

We no longer respond to telephone, chat, community support forum, or email inquiries for self-service products.

We will proceed to close this thread however you can continue to communicate with community members for further assistance.

Regards,

Fikri