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HP PCs - Installing and Using Intel Optane

Use the information in the following sections to learn about Intel Optane technology, install an Intel Optane module in your computer, install the required software and drivers, and find answers to your questions about Intel Optane memory technology.

What is Intel Optane?

Intel Optane memory is a system accelerator that can make your computing tasks faster, smoother, and easier. It creates a bridge between the DRAM and the hard drive to accelerate data access speeds by storing the frequently used data in the Optane memory, while other data is stored on the hard drive (HDD). This allows it to increase the speed of data access for storage devices, such as high-capacity hard drives and solid state drives (SSD).

The Intel Optane storage cache system uses 3D XPoint Memory architecture, developed jointly by Intel and Micron. 3D XPoint is a very high performance form of non-volatile memory. With Intel Optane, customers can realize around 14 times faster performance than with a normal hard drive, making for an overall 28% increase in system performance.

Intel Optane technology requires several components, including the following:

Intel Optane Memory module
Intel memory and storage controllers
Intel interconnect IP
Intel software

This system pairs the Intel Optane module with the SSD or HDD storage drive, creating a RAID-like configuration. The most frequently accessed files are stored on the Intel Optane module, while the less frequently used files remain available on the large storage drive.

Optane module - frequently accessed data

Hard drive - all other data

System requirements for Intel Optane

Make sure your system meets the following requirements:

Intel 7th Generation Core i3, i5, or i7 processor.
Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) driver, version 15.5 or later.
Operating system: Windows 10 Creators Update (1703) or later installed on a supported storage device (hard drive, SATA SSD, or SSHD).

note:
Only Windows 10 Creators Update (1703) or later is supported.
A supported backend (slow media system disk) storage device (hard drive, SATA SSD, or SSHD) connected to the Intel AHCI controller off the chipset with Windows 10 64-bit installed, formatted for the GUID partition table (GPT), and at least 5 MB of continuous, unallocated space at the end of the boot volume.

note:
Self-pinning SSHDs only; SSHDs that use the Hybrid Information Feature Set are not supported.
HP BIOS Version 02.06 or newer.

note:
To locate the latest BIOS for your product, go to HP Support.
BIOS configured for Optane.
The Intel Optane memory module populated in an M.2 connector.

Installing the Intel Optane memory module in your computer

The procedure to install the module differs depending on your computer model. If you need help preparing your computer model for this installation, refer to the documentation provided with the computer, or search for your product on HP Support to locate the manual for your model.

Computers with M.2 connectors

Use the following steps to install the module onto the system board.

Locate the supported M.2 connector on your system board. The connector is labeled SSD.
If necessary, install the screw standoff into the hole near the connector.
Insert the module into the M.2 connector.
Press the module down, and then install the screw, turning it clockwise.

Computers without M.2 connectors

Install the module into a PCIe carrier card, and then install the carrier card in the x4 expansion slot.

note:
Do not install the carrier card into the x16 expansion slot.

To install the module into a PCIe carrier card, insert the module into the M.2 connector, insert the screw into the slot in the module, press the module down, and tighten the screw.

note:
Be sure that the slot in the screw is facing the module so that the screw inserts fully onto the module.
Insert the PCIe carrier card into the computer expansion slot, and then install the screw into the carrier card bracket, turning the screw clockwise.
Computer expansion slot

Carrier card bracket

Installing the Intel Optane software

This section describes how to install the Intel Optane memory software and driver on a computer.

You must first use the Setup Utility to enable Optane memory. After enabling Optane in the Setup Utility, enable it in the Intel RST software.

note:
The system board requires a BIOS update to Version 02.06 or later before the Intel Optane memory and software driver package can be installed. To locate the latest BIOS for your product, go to HP Support, and follow the on-screen instructions to find your product and locate downloads.

Use the following steps to Enable Optane memory in the Setup Utility.

Go to the Setup Utility by restarting the computer and repeatedly pressing F10 to enter setup.
Select Advanced, select System Options, and then select Configure Storage Controller for Intel Optane.
Restart the computer.

caution:
Once you install the Intel Optane System Accelerator, reverting back to a BIOS version older than 02.06 will disable your Intel Optane System Accelerator and could prevent your system from booting.

Installing the Intel RST software and driver

This section describes how to install and set up Intel Optane memory with the Intel RST user interface.

note:
Update BIOS to Version 02.06 or later before installing the software and driver.

Use the following steps:

Go to HP Support and select the most recent Intel Rapid Storage Technology software and driver.
Run setupRST.exe and install the defaults.
Restart the computer.
From the Windows desktop, launch the Intel RST user interface, and then click the Intel Optane Memory tab. The Status page opens.
Click Enable.
After the enable process is complete, reboot the computer.

After the system restarts, installation continues in safe mode. When installation is complete, the system again restarts. You can now use the Intel Optane memory application.

Using Intel Optane memory with the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver

To enable Intel Optane memory using the Intel Rapid Storage Technology application, open the Intel Rapid Storage Technology application, and then click the Intel Optane memory tab.

note:
The Intel Optane memory tab displays only in the software for Intel Rapid Storage Technology Version 15.5 or later.

Open the Intel Rapid Storage Technology app, click the Intel Optane Memory tab, and then click Enable.
The Enable Intel Optane memory window displays. Select a compatible fast drive, and then click Yes. The compatible drive option displays only if more than one Intel Optane memory module is installed in the computer.
After the enable process is complete, click Reboot to restart the computer.

note:
The computer must be restarted, not shut down. Shutdown might cause an incorrect display of drive volumes.

Troubleshooting problems with Intel Optane

Check the following documents to see if one of them can help fix your problem with Intel Optane.

FAQs

Use the information in the following sections to answer your questions about Intel Optane.

Does Intel Optane replace my DRAM?

Intel Optane is referred to as memory, but is not a replacement for DRAM. Intel Optane is a specific module that uses the M.2 form factor, specifically M.2 2280 S3-B-M, to increase the speed of data access.

How is Intel Optane different from previous storage cache systems?

Intel Optane employs the new 3D XPoint technology in either 16 or 32 gigabyte versions, and can be up to 1,000 times faster than NAND technologies, which significantly increases the speed of accessing your data.

What is the difference between Intel Optane-ready and Intel Optane-enabled?

Intel Optane-ready systems can support Optane but it has not been implemented yet.
Intel Optane-enabled systems are shipped from the factory with Optane already implemented.

Which HP commercial desktop computers currently support Intel Optane technology?

Intel Optane-ready. The following commercial desktop computers are Intel Optane-ready:

HP EliteDesk 800 G3 DM
HP EliteDesk 800 G3 SFF
HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Tower
HP EliteOne 800 G3 GPU 23.8 in
HP EliteOne 800 G3 23.8 in
HP ProDesk 400 G3 DM
HP ProDesk 400 G4 MT
HP ProDesk 400 G4 SFF
HP ProDesk 480 G4 MT
HP ProDesk 600 G3 DM
HP ProDesk 600 G3 MT
HP ProDesk 600 G3 PCI MT
HP ProDesk 600 G3 SFF

Intel Optane-enabled. The following commercial desktop computers are Intel Optane-enabled:

HP ProOne 400 G3 20.5 in
HP ProOne 600 G3 21.5 in
HP EliteOne 1000 G1

Which HP consumer desktop computers currently support Intel Optane technology?

Intel Optane-enabled. The following consumer desktop computers are Intel Optane-enabled:

HP ENVY Desktop 750-600 PC series
HP ENVY Desktop 790-000 PC series
HP ENVY Curved 34-b100 All-in-One Desktop PC Series
HP Pavilion 24-r000 All-in-One Desktop PC Series
HP Pavilion 27-r000 All-in-One Desktop PC series
HP Pavilion 570-a000 Desktop PC
HP Pavilion 590-a00 Desktop PC
HP Pavilion Power Desktop 690-000 PC Series
HP Pavilion X 24-000 All-in-One Desktop PC Series
HP Slimline 270-a000 Desktop PC
OMEN by HP 870-300 Desktop PC Series
OMEN by HP 880-100 Desktop PC Series

Is Intel Optane enabled on my computer?

To verify whether Intel Optane is enabled on your computer, open the Intel Optane RST application. Click the Status tab.

The status is displayed under Intel Optane Memory.

Checking whether Intel Optane is enabled

How do I enable or disable the Intel Optane memory in system BIOS?

note:
The system board requires BIOS version 02.06 or later to install the Intel Optane memory and software driver package. Some PCs were shipped with compatible BIOS but others need to be updated. To find the latest BIOS for your product, go to HP Support, and follow the on-screen instructions to find your product and locate downloads.

caution:
To avoid permanent data loss, do not disable Intel Optane in system BIOS without first disabling it in the Intel RST application.

Enable Intel Optane memory in the Setup Utility:

Open the BIOS by restarting the computer and repeatedly pressing F10 to enter Setup.
Select Advanced, select System Options, and then select Configure Storage Controller for Intel Optane.
Restart the computer.

Disable Intel Optane memory in the Setup Utility:

Open the BIOS by restarting the computer and repeatedly pressing F10 to enter Setup.
Select Advanced, select System Options, and click Configure Storage Controller for Intel Optane to remove the check.
Restart the computer.

How do I enable or disable the Intel Optane memory with Intel RST?

To enable Intel Optane memory using the Intel Rapid Storage Technology application, use the following instructions:

Open the Intel Rapid Storage Technology application.
Click the Intel Optane memory tab.
Click Enable.
Select a compatible fast drive, and then click Yes.

note:
The compatible drive option displays only if more than one Intel Optane memory module is installed in the computer.
After the enable process is complete, click Reboot to restart the computer.

caution:
The computer must be restarted, not shut down. Shutdown might cause incorrect display of drive volumes.

To disable Intel Optane memory using the Intel Rapid Storage Technology application, use the instructions in this section.

Before removing the SATA storage device being accelerated by the memory or removing the memory module from the system, you must disable Intel Optane memory.

note:
Do not disable Optane memory in BIOS unless you have first disabled the feature in the Intel RST application.

Open the Intel Rapid Storage Technology application.
Click the Intel Optane memory tab.
Click Disable.
Click Yes to confirm.
After the disable process is complete, click Reboot to restart the computer.

caution:
The computer must be restarted, not shut down. Shutdown might cause incorrect display of drive volumes.