Intel® Optane™ SSD DC P4801X Series on x299 HEDT?

[bBrain]

Is it possible to run a Optane SSD DC P4801X series to displace or extend memory on x299 HEDT platform? Looking to extend memory to get a database working set in memory. 

Can I use the U.2 or m.2 versions on x299? Using 10900X or 10920X cpus?

[BrusC_Intel]

Hello, @bBrain.

Thank you for contacting the Intel Community Support.

I received your ticket regarding the Intel® Optane™ SSD DC P4801X Series, I will be glad to assist you.

Compatibility of the drive will depend on the motherboard, it is recommended for you to contact the OEM or motherboard manufacturer in order to confirm if this this model will be compatible as this will depend on how you intend to implement/install them in the system.

Please let me know the following:

1. I'm currently assuming this is related to Intel® Memory Drive Technology, is this correct?

2. How many P4801X are you going to implement and do you have a distributor or point of contact?

3. Do you have a special type of account like ITP, IPS or other?

I hope to hear from you soon.

Bruce C.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[bBrain]

These are on amazon.com 

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-SSDPEL1K100GA01-Optane-P4801X-100GB/dp/B07MN6K549/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=Intel%C2%AE+Optane%E2%84%A2+SSD+DC+P4800X&qid=1596963982&sr=8-9

The U.2 version as well
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Optane-P4801X-100GB-SSDPE21K100GA01/dp/B07KPRGLC1/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=Intel%C2%AE+Optane%E2%84%A2+SSD+DC+P4800X&qid=1596963982&sr=8-17

Well on x299 with a 10920x I have 44 pcie lanes, I have a card that can use up to 4 drives, it's a 16x card, each m.2 would have 4x pcie3. So the bandwidth and lanes are there on my motherboard. 
Asus ROG Rampage VI Extreme Encore x299
(https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/ROG-Rampage-VI-Extreme-Encore/)

CPU is a 10920X

What I'm wondering is do these drives work on normal motherboards that have the PCIe lanes for them. Even a simple pcie m.2 adapter so the device has direct cpu lanes (not going through dmi) 

Can it be used in the memory mode to extend memory of the system. I understand perhaps "workstations" isn't supported / released / being tested? But will normal motherboards/Intel HEDT cpus like 10920X work or do you need some kind of special motherboard to use the P4801X as extended memory?

My point is, is a software thing, because the intel website seems to provide the software to make them work. Does this need the server type bios' etc. Or will normal x299 motherboards running the latest Intel HEDT cpus work? 


According to the Specifications
https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/memory-and-storage/intel-mdt-setup-guide.pdf

I want to do the Memory Expansion as I'm trying to get a database "in memory" 

The PDF says supported processors ... seem to include the older 99XX HEDT cpus, I'm assuming the 109XX hedt cpus are supported. 

but my question is, motherboard. Do you need a server motherboard that specifically supports this, or will any newer general X299 motherboard work?

Thanks!

[BrusC_Intel]

Hello, @bBrain.

Thank you very much for all the details.

Please allow me to review the information and I will contact you back as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Bruce C.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[BrusC_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hello, @bBrain.

Thank you very much for waiting.

After verifying your information and the available documentation, I would like to share the following: 

1. You can use any P4801X model for IMDT based on the product brief: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/docs/memory-storage/solid-state-drives/optane-ssd-dc-p4800x-mdt-brief.html
2. Regarding the use of the PCIe card you mentioned to house the P4801X, it is important you confirm with the card manufacturer (OEM) if it is validated to work with IMDT since the use of this type of cards is not validated; we always recommend connecting the SSDs directly to the motherboard. Checking with the motherboard manufacturer may also be required in this case since the PCIe card in question may support IMDT, but only on specific motherboards or hardware configurations.
3. Similar to the above, you must check with the motherboard manufacturer if it works with IMDT. According to the release notes of of latest IMDT version (link below), the processor you intend to use is not listed as part of the supported processors, and right now we cannot confirm if it will be added to the list in the future, so it is assumed as not supported. You must check and confirm with the motherboard OEM in case they can provide you with different information or additional details regarding IMDT compatibility or support.

IMDT release notes: https://files01.memorydrv.com/downloads/9.5.195.98/imdt-9.5.195.98.rel_notes.pdf

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Best regards,

Bruce C.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[BrusC_Intel]

Hello, @bBrain.

This message is just to provide a quick follow up on your ticket.

Having shared the information from my previous message about the need of verifying the compatibility with the different manufacturers, I will proceed to close the thread right now.

If you have any additional questions or require any type of assistance from Intel in the future, you can always contact us back by opening a new thread.

Best regards,

Bruce C.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel