Recently the semi-conductor chip manufacturing giant Intel launched its new Optane powered memory caching called Optane memory. With a unique storage media, innovative thinking, and some upgrades, its operations differ from RAM.
Despite not being a technology suitable for traditional memory devices, it has been able to garner quite a reputation. Many are considering to purchase Optane memory. However, some experts are saying it is still too soon.
Their justification is that random computer access memory has stood the test of time. The same cannot be said about Optane memory. It is still relatively new, and there are many unknowns. They are holding off their verdict for now.
However, once we lay out the facts plainly in front of the consumers, it will help them reach a decision and gain insight. We will point out the pros and cons of both of the memory devices through our comparative analysis.
Thus, stand back as we give you a complete and comprehensive guide of Optane memory vs. RAM.
What is RAM?
The full form of ram is random access memory. It is a hardware device in which information can be stored and later retrieved on a computer. It is also known as main memory or primary memory. It is volatile memory; therefore, it needs the power to be accessed.
Ram first saw use in 1947. It functioned via a cathode ray tube. The data was stored as electrical spots in the face. Later in the same year, a new type of magnetic-core memory was invented.
A computer scientist named Fredrick Vieche is given credit for creating such memory. The magnetic core utilized a string of wires and metal rings to store and subsequently process memory.
At that time, only one bit of data can be accessed at any given time. However, the RAM we know today came into widespread use in the ’60s. Robbert Dennard is the pioneer of this technology. In this device, transistors were used to store memory.
What is Optane memory?
Optane memory combines the fast-processing power of a solid-state drive and larger storage space at a much lower price to create a new kind of chip-set.
The development of Optane memory began in late 2012. Its original name is 3D Xpoint. This project was a joint venture of Intel and Micron. Its brand name is Optane for Intel and QuantX for Micron. The announcement came in late July of 2015. It was available in the market for customers in the spring of 2017.
This is actually a non-volatile memory. Its storage is based on a different bulk resistance. Its prices are less than dynamic random-access memory. But on the other hand, more than flash memory.
Since 2019, 3D Xpoint is widely used to make some of the most robust solid-state drives in the market. As of 2020, Intel states that no other hybrid memory works as faster and, at the same time, as cost-effective as the Optane memory.
Types of RAM
There are many types of RAM available in the market. Some that are widely used as follows: DIMM, RIMM, SIMM, SOO-RIMM, and S0-DIMM. There are DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 as well. This refers to the data transfer rate.
Currently, the largest stick of RAM has a memory of 128 GB. However, it’s not for general consumers use.
Types of Optane memory
There are four types of Intel Optane memory. The first one being Optane solid-state drive. It works just like any regular SSD but only much faster.
The second type is called MDOT 16-32 GB. This is much faster than a traditional hard drive.
And the third one is Optane DC persistent memory. This is generally used in data centers. These come in the variant of 128 gigs to 512 gigs as well. So, you can pack a lot of data on this memory. You can use it as memory or storage. This is not ideal for consumers today, but probably in the future, this might come in handy.
And the last one is what Intel calls Optane memory h10 SSD. It not as fast as the others. There are basically two sides to this memory. One half of the drive consists of the 1st type we mentioned earlier, the 16 GB or 32 GB variant. In the other half, you are getting qlc high density.
This one is not available in the market yet. It only goes inside laptops.
The main differences between RAM and Optane memory
Before we go on to the technical side of things, let’s bust the myth that somehow Optane memory is a new type of RAM. No, it is not. Both use different types of technology. There is an issue about the volatility, which we will explain in great detail later in the article.
Intel Optane memory has a high read speed compared to RAM. Even within the limit of 30 microseconds, it can perform multiple operations with 30% write and 70% load.
Intel Optane memory is a non-volatile memory. Therefore, it does not need power all the time. It can perform even when electricity is off. It can store data and information in the memory even when the power is out.
On the other hand, RAM is able to store data and additional information if not connected to the power supply. In fact, if power is turned off, then the data that was being processed will be erased.
RAM looks like a small stick. It has smalls pins to its side as well. It’s like a flat chip. But Optane memory has a form factor of M.2 Solid State DRIVE.
Optane memory provides you with a 16 GB cache feature. In turn, you can gain quick access to your cache files as you have 16 GB of cache memory to utilize. This is not the case in RAM. No extra perks are dedicated to caching files.
Optane memory is able to perform faster than RAM when accessing the in-memory device. The reason for this is its non-volatile nature.
Optane memory is cheaper and cost-effective than traditional RAM’s.
A single RAM is able to store only 1-8 GB of data and process it. Optane memory can hold 16-32 GB even when the power is turned off.
The working processes
Both use a different method to store and process data. Even though the end goal of them is the same, they have different processes.
Optane memory
Optane memory is a creative memory which works essentially as a link between RAM and storage. It is able to generate faster speed than RAM when accessing memory, storage, and processor. The much-hyped cache feature allows the computer to turn a simple hard disk into a hybrid disk.
16 or 32 GB cache files can be stored. First, the data comes from hard disk storage. After reading the data, it is copied over to the cache. Whenever a chunk of data is read, its most recent reading time is also updated. As time goes by, the cache is filled up, and the old information that is not used for an extended period is removed.
The larger the capacity of the Optane drive is, the more cache files it can take in. For reading and writing, data stored on the cache will be used, not the data on your hard disk.
RAM
Ram works in a more traditional way. Unlike the Optane memory, much emphasis is not put-on cache files here. Firstly, it requires electricity to charge. It is designed to store and retrieve data only from a specific location. The data that is stored consists of electrical signals.
For the whole operation to take place, the capacitors need to be charged. When shutting down, the computer capacitors will discharge. The process will end right there and then. Therefore, we can also call it a short time memory.
When the system boots, BIOS is loaded into RAM’s from the hard disc drive. RAM also conducts a reading task as the system is loading. Fast RAM speed will cause the booting time to be shortened.
Will Optane memory replace RAM?
Optane memory does not have the ability to replace the traditional RAM. It was not created for that purpose. Its primary role is to complement the existing system. When RAM has run out of space, Optane memory will create a swap file. It will then work as a virtual RAM.
It improves performance on slower hard drives.
Is RAM faster than Optane memory?
Yes, RAM is still faster than Optane memory. It is because of the simple principle that non-volatile memory will always be slower than the volatile ones. A traditional DDR 3 RAM can process 17 GB of data per second, and an Optane memory can only access only 2.6 GB.
Bottom Line
Above, we have tried to paint a clear picture of these two components. After all reading through our in-depth analysis, we hope you could gain the necessary insight and knowledge.