Recently, the prices of memory and solid-state drives (SSDs) have surged, driving up the overall cost of assembling a computer. Amid this trend, some users have suggested Optane Memory as a cost-effective solution, asserting that it can significantly enhance the speed of a mechanical hard drive, bringing it close to that of an SSD. They highlight that the 16GB version is available for an incredibly low price of just 15 yuan.

Optane Memory, officially named Intel Optane Memory, is a caching device developed by Intel. It leverages the 3DXpoint storage medium to boost the performance of mechanical hard drives. This technology is compatible with the NVMe storage protocol and incorporates 3D XPoint memory media, along with Intel’s memory and storage controllers. The result is improved performance and responsiveness for mechanical hard drives.

The main purpose of Optane Memory is to accelerate both HDDs and SSDs (although it does not support NVMe SSDs). It enhances boot times, speeds up software loading, and improves file and game loading times. However, Optane Memory comes with stringent platform requirements. It necessitates a modern motherboard, such as those from Intel’s 200-series or 300-series, equipped with an M.2 slot. The CPU must be a 7th or 8th generation Core i-series processor. Additionally, the hard drive must support UEFI mode and have a GPT disk format, while the operating system must be Windows 10.

Moreover, Optane Memory cannot function independently; it must be paired with a mechanical hard drive. When compared to solid-state drives, the acceleration provided by Optane Memory is somewhat limited and cannot fully match the speed of SSDs. Despite its affordability, Optane Memory may not be the ideal choice for all users due to its platform compatibility constraints and acceleration limitations.

For the majority of users, opting for a solid-state drive or a dual-drive setup combining an SSD with a mechanical hard drive might be a more practical solution. Furthermore, Intel has officially announced the discontinuation of Optane persistent memory, suggesting that its future applications in personal computers may diminish even further.