NVM | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Sun, 30 Aug 2015 01:24:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png NVM | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Micron readies second-gen 3D XPoint, working on all-new memory tech https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/micron-readies-second-gen-3d-xpoint-memory-working-on-all-new-memory-tech/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/micron-readies-second-gen-3d-xpoint-memory-working-on-all-new-memory-tech/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:02:48 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=265294 The first commercial solid-state drives based on the recently introduced 3D XPoint non-volatile storage-class memory are yet to hit the market, but Intel Corp. and Micron Technology Corp. are already working on the second-generation 3D XPoint technology. Moreover, Micron is also designing an all-new memory technology that will further close the gap between performance of …

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The first commercial solid-state drives based on the recently introduced 3D XPoint non-volatile storage-class memory are yet to hit the market, but Intel Corp. and Micron Technology Corp. are already working on the second-generation 3D XPoint technology. Moreover, Micron is also designing an all-new memory technology that will further close the gap between performance of DRAM and non-volatile types of memory.

At the Intel Developer Forum earlier this month Micron Technology disclosed that it is developing second-generation 3D XPoint technology, its second-generation 3D NAND flash memory as well as an undisclosed all-new memory technology. Intel and Micron collaborate in development of 3D XPoint and NAND flash memory, but it is unclear whether the two companies are jointly working on the “New Memory B Gen 1” as well.

micron_intel_3dxpoint_3d_xpoint_roadmap

The second-generation 3D XPoint memory will be introduced in 2016, just like the second-generation 3D NAND. The “new memory type B” is expected to be announced in 2017.

The differences between the first and the second generations of 3D XPoint are unknown. The first-gen 3D XPoint implementation is tens or hundreds times faster than NAND flash (in terms of read/write speeds, latency and IOPS peformance) and is dramatically more durable. One of the things where NAND flash excels the new type of memory is capacity. Modern NAND flash memory chips can store up to 256Gb of data, whereas the first 3D XPoint chips will store 128Gb. It is possible that with the second-generation 3D XPoint developers will focus on improving capacities rather than trying to further increase performance (still, keep in mind that increases of density usually also increase performance). Higher capacities will help to make solid-state drives featuring 3D XPoint a little cheaper (in terms of per-gigabyte costs), which will expand their market reach.

intel_micron_storage_class_memory

While 3D XPoint is faster than NAND, DRAM is an order of magnitude faster than 3D XPoint in terms of latency and also outshines the new storage memory in terms of bandwidth. In fact, Micron considers latency of non-volatile memory as a major challenge of emerging memory types in general.

Scott Graham, Micron’s general manager of Hybrid Memory, revealed at the IDF that Micron’s emerging “new memory B” technology would be focused on performance and addressing some of the bigger industry challenges, reports HPC Wire. The details are scarce at this point, but it looks like one of the main idea behind the “New Memory B Gen 1” is to boost performance of non-volatile memory and shrink the gap with DRAM.

“As we develop new memory technologies and learn from 3D XPoint and develop 3D XPoint even further, then we will have subsequent versions of this technology and other technologies that can fit into this roadmap,” said Mr. Graham.

micron_emerging_storage_class_memory

Micron is expected to introduce its first products based on the first-gen 3D XPoint in the next couple of months and start their shipments in 2016. The second-gen 3D XPoint will be introduced in 2016 and will hit the market sometimes in 2017. By contrast, the all new “Memory B” will likely reach the market only in 2018. Before that happens, Micron, Intel and other industry players will have to invent high-performance interfaces for such types of memory.

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KitGuru Says: The holy grail of computer memory is non-volatile memory with performance and reliability of DRAM. Such memory type will unlikely be commercialized any time soon because no matter how rapidly non-volatile memory types are evolving, DRAM is not standing still. Perhaps, there will be a breakthrough in the coming years, but at present it does not look like it is coming…

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Intel: First 3D XPoint SSDs will feature up to 6GB/s of bandwidth https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/intel-first-3d-xpoint-ssds-will-feature-up-to-6gbs-of-bandwidth/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/memory/anton-shilov/intel-first-3d-xpoint-ssds-will-feature-up-to-6gbs-of-bandwidth/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2015 00:45:18 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=265251 Although 3D XPoint – a new type of non-volatile memory jointly developed by Intel Corp. and Micron Technology – promises to significantly improve performance of solid-state drives over time, do not expect it to revolutionize SSD landscape overnight. According to performance estimates released by Intel, performance of the first-gen 3D Xpoint-based storage devices will be …

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Although 3D XPoint – a new type of non-volatile memory jointly developed by Intel Corp. and Micron Technology – promises to significantly improve performance of solid-state drives over time, do not expect it to revolutionize SSD landscape overnight. According to performance estimates released by Intel, performance of the first-gen 3D Xpoint-based storage devices will be limited by modern interfaces.

The first Intel Optane solid-state drives powered by 3D XPoint memory will be used for storing “hot” frequently used data, which is why they will have to offer very high bandwidth, low latencies and high IOPS [input/output operations per second] throughput. Intel’s first Optane solid-state drives featuring 3D XPoint memory will use PCI Express 3.0 or DDR4 interfaces and will come in PCIe card or DIMM [dual in-line memory module] form-factors.

intel_dimm_3d_xpoint

PCI Express 3.0 x4 cards are compatible with all existing servers and can offer bandwidth of up to 4GB/s. By contrast, NVDIMMs [non-volatile DIMMs] can potentially ensure even higher bandwidth and ultra-low latency.

Intel’s upcoming Xeon E5 v4 “Broadwell-EP” processors with up to 22 cores will officially support PC4-19200 (DDR4 2400MHz) memory, thus offering up to 19.2GB/s of bandwidth per channel (or 76.8GB/s per socket). Theoretically, NVDIMMs with 3D XPoint memory could provide similar bandwidth, but Intel just does not want to confirm that. According to a slide the company demonstrated at the Intel Developer Forum trade-show earlier this month, 3D XPoint NVDIMMs will only offer around 6GB/s of bandwidth, which is a lot, but can hardly be considered as a breakthrough. Still, keeping in mind that 3D XPoint can significantly shrink latencies and increase the number of IOPS [input/output operations per second], the new Intel DIMMs based on 3D XPoint will significantly improve performance of server-class storage sub-systems.

intel_3d_xpoint_projections

At the IDF last week the world’s largest maker of central processing units confirmed that before it releases NVDIMMs with 3D XPoint, it will have to work with JEDEC over amendments to the appropriate standard in order to ensure compatibility between SSDs and platforms. Keeping in mind that the DDR4 interface can handle extremely high data-rates, it is possible that by the time commercial 3D XPoint NVDIMMs hit the market, their expected bandwidth will be significantly higher than that revealed today.

intel_3d_xpoint_projections_micron

Both Intel and Micron believe that unique advantages of 3D XPoint – extreme read and write speeds as well as increased reliability compared to NAND flash and massively higher density compared to DRAM – will put the new type of memory into a special place in the storage hierarchy of datacentres. Eventually, storage-class memory will fill the gap between dynamic random access memory and NAND flash-based solid-state drives.

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KitGuru Says: It is noteworthy that Intel and Micron are rather conservative when it comes to making projections regarding performance of actual devices based 3D XPoint memory. The reason for that is not exactly clear. If 3D XPoint is as fast as the two companies describe it, performance of appropriate devices will be limited only by interfaces, not by capabilities of chips.

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Intel demos 3D XPoint-based Optane SSD, set to launch it in 2016 https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/anton-shilov/intel-to-introduce-breakthrough-3d-xpoint-based-optane-ssds-in-2016/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/anton-shilov/intel-to-introduce-breakthrough-3d-xpoint-based-optane-ssds-in-2016/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2015 23:53:06 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=263951 Intel Corp. on Tuesday demonstrated Optane, the world’s first solid-state drive based on its 3D XPoint memory jointly developed by Intel and Micron. The company said once again that the new type of memory will enable considerably higher performance than existing NAND flash. Intel Optane SSDs featuring breakthrough performance will hit the market already in …

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Intel Corp. on Tuesday demonstrated Optane, the world’s first solid-state drive based on its 3D XPoint memory jointly developed by Intel and Micron. The company said once again that the new type of memory will enable considerably higher performance than existing NAND flash. Intel Optane SSDs featuring breakthrough performance will hit the market already in 2016.

Intel did not reveal exact specifications or performance numbers of the 3D XPoint-powered solid-state drive it demonstrated at the opening of its Intel Developer Forum. However, the SSD looked like another high-end SSD in a PCI Express card form-factor. According to the company, the drive features around five to seven times higher IOPS [input/output operations per second] compared to NAND flash-based Intel DC P3700-series solid-state drive.

intel_optane_ssd_demo_1
Brian Krzanich, Intel's chief executive officer and Rob Crooke, senior vice president of Intel, demonstrate Intel Optane SSDs at the 2015 Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, California.

Intel explained that its Optane solid-state drive based on the 3D XPoint non-volatile memory media also features its own advanced system memory controller, interface hardware and software IP.

intel_optane_ssd_demo
Intel's system featuring Optane SSD

Exact performance of Optane SSDs will be limited by modern interfaces, but 3D XPoint memory has a huge potential. The new type of memory has 8 – 10 greater density than DRAM, but its performance is tens or even hundreds of times faster than that of NAND flash, according to Intel. While performance of 3D XPoint is an order of magnitude below that of DRAM, it is still exceptionally high by modern storage standard.

intel_micron_3d_xpoint_b

Intel Optane family of high-endurance, high-performance SSDs will hit the market beginning in 2016. The 3D XPoint media will also power a new line of Intel DIMMs designed for Intel's next-generation data center platforms, the company revealed.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Looks like Intel’s and Micron’s 3D XPoint memory already works and can demonstrate impressive performance. Therefore, it is possible that next year the world’s top maker of CPUs will actually roll-out SSDs that will be dramatically faster than today’s solid-state drives. What will be interesting to see is what kind of interface will they use. PCI Express is good enough, but modern NAND flash-absed PCIe SSDs are already exceptionally fast and next year their performance will likely be limited even by PCIe 3.0 x16.

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MSI brings support for NVM Express storage to all X99/Z97/H97 motherboards https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/matthew-wilson/msi-brings-support-for-nvm-express-storage-to-all-x99z97h97-motherboards/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/matthew-wilson/msi-brings-support-for-nvm-express-storage-to-all-x99z97h97-motherboards/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:01:29 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=232968 MSI has managed to become the world's first motherboard maker to fully support NVM Express storage on all motherboards sporting the Intel 9 series chipset, including X99, Z97 and H97. BIOS updates are now available for users to download via the MSI website. For those who don't know, NVM Express is the next generation PCI …

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MSI has managed to become the world's first motherboard maker to fully support NVM Express storage on all motherboards sporting the Intel 9 series chipset, including X99, Z97 and H97. BIOS updates are now available for users to download via the MSI website.

For those who don't know, NVM Express is the next generation PCI Express storage standard, bringing lower latency, lower power consumption and increased transfer speeds to the table. The MSI Research&Development team has fine-tuned the latest BIOS update to fully take advantage of NVM Express storage.

2015-01_nvmexpress_p02

Users looking to make use of NVMe for primary storage must be using a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. If you would like to double check that your motherboard is compatible, then you can check the table below (click to enlarge).

MSI Compatibility

You can download the latest BIOS update for your motherboard, HERE. You will need to select your motherboard model in order to see the update.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: If you aren't going to make use of NVMe support then this BIOS update isn't vitally important, otherwise go ahead and update away. 

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