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HP Desktop PCs - Install and use Intel Optane

Learn about Intel Optane technology, how to install an Intel Optane module and the required software and drivers on your computer, and find answers to your questions about Intel Optane memory technology.

What is Intel Optane?

Intel Optane memory acts as a system accelerator that can make your computing tasks faster, smoother, and easier.

Intel Optane memory 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, you can achieve approximately 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.

Callout	Description
1	Optane module: frequently accessed data
2	Hard drive: all other data

System requirements for Intel Optane

To enable Intel Optane, your system must meet the following minimum requirements.

Intel 11th, 10th, 9th, 8th, or 7th Generation Core i3, i5, or i7 processor

Note:
All Intel Optane products have reached End of Life and are not compatible with 12th generation or later Intel processors.
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)
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 11 or 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 later

Note:
To locate the latest BIOS for your product, go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads.
BIOS configured for Intel Optane
An Intel Optane memory module populated in an M.2 connector

Install 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, see the documentation provided with the computer, or search for your product on HP Customer Support to locate the Maintenance and Service Guide or Hardware Reference Guide 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 (1), and then install the screw, turning it clockwise (2).

The Intel Optane module is now installed in your computer.

Computers without M.2 connectors

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

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

Note:

Do not install the carrier card in the x16 expansion slot.

To install the module into a PCIe carrier card, insert the module into the M.2 connector (1), insert the screw into the slot in the module (2), press the module down (3), and then tighten the screw.

Note:
Be sure that the slot in the screw faces the module so that the screw is inserted fully into the module.
Insert the PCIe carrier card into the computer expansion slot (1), and then install the screw into the carrier card bracket, turning the screw clockwise (2).

The Intel Optane module is now installed in your computer.

Set up and enable Intel Optane

To install the Intel Optane memory software and driver on your computer, you must first use the Setup Utility to enable Optane memory. After you enable Optane in the BIOS Setup Utility, enable it in the Intel RST software.

Enable Intel Optane in BIOS Setup Utility

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

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 Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and follow the on-screen instructions to identify your product and locate the latest BIOS software.

Turn off your computer and wait five seconds.
Turn on your computer, and then immediately press the f10 key repeatedly, about once every second.

The BIOS Setup Utility is displayed.
Select Advanced, and then select System Options.
Select the Configure Storage Controller for Intel Optane box.
Restart your computer.

Enable Intel Optane with Intel Rapid Storage Technology software

Use the following steps to enable and set up Intel Optane memory with the Intel RST software.

Go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and follow the on-screen instructions to identify your product and download the most recent Intel Rapid Storage Technology software and driver.

It is located under Driver-Storage.
Run the .exe file and install the defaults.
Restart your computer.
Open the Intel Rapid Storage Technology software, and then click the Status tab.

The Status page is displayed.
Click Enable.
After the enablement process is complete, restart your computer.

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

Use Intel Optane with Intel Rapid Storage Technology software

To use Intel Optane memory with Intel Rapid Storage Technology application, you must enable it in the Intel Optane memory tab.

Open the Intel Rapid Storage Technology software, and then click the Intel Optane Memory tab.
Click Enable.
The Enable Intel Optane memory window is displayed. Select a compatible fast drive, and then click Yes.

Note:
The compatible drive option is displayed only if more than one Intel Optane memory module is installed in the computer.
After the enablement process is complete, restart your computer.

CAUTION:
The computer must be restarted, not shut down. A computer shutdown might cause incorrect display of drive volumes.

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 32- or 16-gigabyte versions, and can be up to 1,000 times faster than NAND technologies, which significantly increases the speed of accessing your data.

Which HP commercial desktop computers currently support Intel Optane technology?

Identify the Intel Optane ready and enabled business desktop PCs.

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

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?

Identify the Intel Optane enabled consumer desktop PCs.

The following consumer desktop computers are Intel Optane-enabled:

HP ENVY 750-600 Desktop 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 series
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 RST application, and then click the Status tab.

Checking whether Intel Optane is enabled

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

Use the following steps to enable or disable Intel Optane in BIOS.

Note:

CAUTION:

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

To enable Intel Optane memory in the Setup Utility use the following steps:

Turn off your computer and wait five seconds.
Turn on your computer, and then immediately press the f10 key repeatedly, about once every second.

The BIOS Setup Utility is displayed.
Select Advanced, and then select System Options.
Select the Configure Storage Controller for Intel Optane box.
Restart your computer.

To disable Intel Optane memory in the Setup Utility use the following steps:

Turn off your computer and wait five seconds.
Turn on your computer, and then immediately press the f10 key repeatedly, about once every second.

The BIOS Setup Utility is displayed.
Select Advanced, and then select System Options.
Uncheck the Configure Storage Controller for Intel Optane box.
Restart your computer.

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

Use the following steps to enable or disable Intel Optane in Intel RST.

To enable Intel Optane memory in Intel RST use the following steps:

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 is displayed only if more than one Intel Optane memory module is installed in the computer.
Click Reboot to restart the computer.

CAUTION:
The computer must be restarted, not shut down. A computer shutdown might cause incorrect display of drive volumes.

To disable Intel Optane memory in Intel RST use the following steps:

Note:

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.
Click Reboot to restart the computer.

CAUTION:
The computer must be restarted, not shut down. A computer shutdown might cause incorrect display of drive volumes.

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