Did I make a mistake purchasing a PC with Optane memory?












5














I currently have a laptop that is about two years old, and has 8 GB of RAM. I use my laptop for internet browsing, productivity applications, and programming, including data science within Spyder or RStudio.



I usually sit around 65% memory usage, or 5 GB roughly.



I recently purchased, but haven't yet received, a laptop which has 4 GB of standard RAM, and 16 GB of Intel Optane memory. The laptop was marketed as having 20 GB of RAM, but after reading more about Optane memory, it seems that it serves more as a low-latency cache than as RAM.



Is it unwise to get a laptop that has less actual RAM that my average usage, even if it has copious amounts of Optane memory?



Here's a snapshot of my current memory profile if it's helpful:



mem profile






windows-10 memory hardware-rec optane







share|improve this question







New contributor




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  • 1




    I'm no expert, but your question made me curious, so thanks! There's a helpful article about this here. It suggests to me that 4gb RAM + 16gb Optane memory wouldn't be ideal as compared to 8gb RAM.
    – Steve Rindsberg
    1 hour ago










  • That's a really interesting question. However, 4GB of RAM seems to be not enough. I would expect from an answer to explain how a semi-cache memory like Optane improves performance in relation to the RAM size.
    – zx485
    41 mins ago


















5














I currently have a laptop that is about two years old, and has 8 GB of RAM. I use my laptop for internet browsing, productivity applications, and programming, including data science within Spyder or RStudio.



I usually sit around 65% memory usage, or 5 GB roughly.



I recently purchased, but haven't yet received, a laptop which has 4 GB of standard RAM, and 16 GB of Intel Optane memory. The laptop was marketed as having 20 GB of RAM, but after reading more about Optane memory, it seems that it serves more as a low-latency cache than as RAM.



Is it unwise to get a laptop that has less actual RAM that my average usage, even if it has copious amounts of Optane memory?



Here's a snapshot of my current memory profile if it's helpful:



mem profile






windows-10 memory hardware-rec optane







share|improve this question







New contributor




N4v is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1




    I'm no expert, but your question made me curious, so thanks! There's a helpful article about this here. It suggests to me that 4gb RAM + 16gb Optane memory wouldn't be ideal as compared to 8gb RAM.
    – Steve Rindsberg
    1 hour ago










  • That's a really interesting question. However, 4GB of RAM seems to be not enough. I would expect from an answer to explain how a semi-cache memory like Optane improves performance in relation to the RAM size.
    – zx485
    41 mins ago
















5












5








5







I currently have a laptop that is about two years old, and has 8 GB of RAM. I use my laptop for internet browsing, productivity applications, and programming, including data science within Spyder or RStudio.



I usually sit around 65% memory usage, or 5 GB roughly.



I recently purchased, but haven't yet received, a laptop which has 4 GB of standard RAM, and 16 GB of Intel Optane memory. The laptop was marketed as having 20 GB of RAM, but after reading more about Optane memory, it seems that it serves more as a low-latency cache than as RAM.



Is it unwise to get a laptop that has less actual RAM that my average usage, even if it has copious amounts of Optane memory?



Here's a snapshot of my current memory profile if it's helpful:



mem profile






windows-10 memory hardware-rec optane







share|improve this question







New contributor




N4v is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I currently have a laptop that is about two years old, and has 8 GB of RAM. I use my laptop for internet browsing, productivity applications, and programming, including data science within Spyder or RStudio.



I usually sit around 65% memory usage, or 5 GB roughly.



I recently purchased, but haven't yet received, a laptop which has 4 GB of standard RAM, and 16 GB of Intel Optane memory. The laptop was marketed as having 20 GB of RAM, but after reading more about Optane memory, it seems that it serves more as a low-latency cache than as RAM.



Is it unwise to get a laptop that has less actual RAM that my average usage, even if it has copious amounts of Optane memory?



Here's a snapshot of my current memory profile if it's helpful:



mem profile






windows-10 memory hardware-rec optane




windows-10 memory hardware-rec optane






share|improve this question







New contributor




N4v is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




N4v is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor




N4v is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 2 hours ago









N4v

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1262




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N4v is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1




    I'm no expert, but your question made me curious, so thanks! There's a helpful article about this here. It suggests to me that 4gb RAM + 16gb Optane memory wouldn't be ideal as compared to 8gb RAM.
    – Steve Rindsberg
    1 hour ago










  • That's a really interesting question. However, 4GB of RAM seems to be not enough. I would expect from an answer to explain how a semi-cache memory like Optane improves performance in relation to the RAM size.
    – zx485
    41 mins ago
















  • 1




    I'm no expert, but your question made me curious, so thanks! There's a helpful article about this here. It suggests to me that 4gb RAM + 16gb Optane memory wouldn't be ideal as compared to 8gb RAM.
    – Steve Rindsberg
    1 hour ago










  • That's a really interesting question. However, 4GB of RAM seems to be not enough. I would expect from an answer to explain how a semi-cache memory like Optane improves performance in relation to the RAM size.
    – zx485
    41 mins ago










1




1




I'm no expert, but your question made me curious, so thanks! There's a helpful article about this here. It suggests to me that 4gb RAM + 16gb Optane memory wouldn't be ideal as compared to 8gb RAM.
– Steve Rindsberg
1 hour ago




I'm no expert, but your question made me curious, so thanks! There's a helpful article about this here. It suggests to me that 4gb RAM + 16gb Optane memory wouldn't be ideal as compared to 8gb RAM.
– Steve Rindsberg
1 hour ago












That's a really interesting question. However, 4GB of RAM seems to be not enough. I would expect from an answer to explain how a semi-cache memory like Optane improves performance in relation to the RAM size.
– zx485
41 mins ago






That's a really interesting question. However, 4GB of RAM seems to be not enough. I would expect from an answer to explain how a semi-cache memory like Optane improves performance in relation to the RAM size.
– zx485
41 mins ago












1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















6














Intel Optane "memory" is a misnomer. It is just a cache memory card that can turn
a simple hard disk into a hybrid disk, by adding a RAM cache that can work at the
speed of an SSD disk.



Optane memory isn’t a random-access computer memory, or RAM.
Instead, it's meant to work as a cache memory bridge between RAM and storage,
allowing for faster data transfer between the memory, storage, and processor.
As such, it's magnitudes faster than a spinning hard drive and can work at the
speed of a budget SSD. And like SSD, it doesn’t erase itself when powered off.



Conclusion: You did make a mistake by falling for a commercial hype.
In addition, 4 GB of RAM is ridiculously low in our current state of hardware
and software. I would advise canceling the order for this laptop,
if you still can.






share|improve this answer





















  • Although I don't completely agree with the first part of Harry's answer, I do agree with the overall message. In your case, I would imagine the laptop will not have the performance you were tricked into believing it has. Optane is not a replacement for traditional RAM.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: What part don't you agree with?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago










  • The part about it turning your conventional drive into a hybrid disk. I know what you mean but I think the description is slightly oversimplified. Optane does a lot more than just cache (part of your) storage data.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: Like what?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    Good answer. +1. Additionally, I would like to suggest this article, which compares access speeds to human reference scale, from 1 clock cycle -> 1 second, RAM -> 4 minutes and Optane -> 7 hours. This really shows how much scale difference there is between for example L1 cache and disk access speeds...
    – agtoever
    47 mins ago











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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

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active

oldest

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active

oldest

votes









6














Intel Optane "memory" is a misnomer. It is just a cache memory card that can turn
a simple hard disk into a hybrid disk, by adding a RAM cache that can work at the
speed of an SSD disk.



Optane memory isn’t a random-access computer memory, or RAM.
Instead, it's meant to work as a cache memory bridge between RAM and storage,
allowing for faster data transfer between the memory, storage, and processor.
As such, it's magnitudes faster than a spinning hard drive and can work at the
speed of a budget SSD. And like SSD, it doesn’t erase itself when powered off.



Conclusion: You did make a mistake by falling for a commercial hype.
In addition, 4 GB of RAM is ridiculously low in our current state of hardware
and software. I would advise canceling the order for this laptop,
if you still can.






share|improve this answer





















  • Although I don't completely agree with the first part of Harry's answer, I do agree with the overall message. In your case, I would imagine the laptop will not have the performance you were tricked into believing it has. Optane is not a replacement for traditional RAM.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: What part don't you agree with?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago










  • The part about it turning your conventional drive into a hybrid disk. I know what you mean but I think the description is slightly oversimplified. Optane does a lot more than just cache (part of your) storage data.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: Like what?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    Good answer. +1. Additionally, I would like to suggest this article, which compares access speeds to human reference scale, from 1 clock cycle -> 1 second, RAM -> 4 minutes and Optane -> 7 hours. This really shows how much scale difference there is between for example L1 cache and disk access speeds...
    – agtoever
    47 mins ago
















6














Intel Optane "memory" is a misnomer. It is just a cache memory card that can turn
a simple hard disk into a hybrid disk, by adding a RAM cache that can work at the
speed of an SSD disk.



Optane memory isn’t a random-access computer memory, or RAM.
Instead, it's meant to work as a cache memory bridge between RAM and storage,
allowing for faster data transfer between the memory, storage, and processor.
As such, it's magnitudes faster than a spinning hard drive and can work at the
speed of a budget SSD. And like SSD, it doesn’t erase itself when powered off.



Conclusion: You did make a mistake by falling for a commercial hype.
In addition, 4 GB of RAM is ridiculously low in our current state of hardware
and software. I would advise canceling the order for this laptop,
if you still can.






share|improve this answer





















  • Although I don't completely agree with the first part of Harry's answer, I do agree with the overall message. In your case, I would imagine the laptop will not have the performance you were tricked into believing it has. Optane is not a replacement for traditional RAM.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: What part don't you agree with?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago










  • The part about it turning your conventional drive into a hybrid disk. I know what you mean but I think the description is slightly oversimplified. Optane does a lot more than just cache (part of your) storage data.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: Like what?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    Good answer. +1. Additionally, I would like to suggest this article, which compares access speeds to human reference scale, from 1 clock cycle -> 1 second, RAM -> 4 minutes and Optane -> 7 hours. This really shows how much scale difference there is between for example L1 cache and disk access speeds...
    – agtoever
    47 mins ago














6












6








6






Intel Optane "memory" is a misnomer. It is just a cache memory card that can turn
a simple hard disk into a hybrid disk, by adding a RAM cache that can work at the
speed of an SSD disk.



Optane memory isn’t a random-access computer memory, or RAM.
Instead, it's meant to work as a cache memory bridge between RAM and storage,
allowing for faster data transfer between the memory, storage, and processor.
As such, it's magnitudes faster than a spinning hard drive and can work at the
speed of a budget SSD. And like SSD, it doesn’t erase itself when powered off.



Conclusion: You did make a mistake by falling for a commercial hype.
In addition, 4 GB of RAM is ridiculously low in our current state of hardware
and software. I would advise canceling the order for this laptop,
if you still can.






share|improve this answer












Intel Optane "memory" is a misnomer. It is just a cache memory card that can turn
a simple hard disk into a hybrid disk, by adding a RAM cache that can work at the
speed of an SSD disk.



Optane memory isn’t a random-access computer memory, or RAM.
Instead, it's meant to work as a cache memory bridge between RAM and storage,
allowing for faster data transfer between the memory, storage, and processor.
As such, it's magnitudes faster than a spinning hard drive and can work at the
speed of a budget SSD. And like SSD, it doesn’t erase itself when powered off.



Conclusion: You did make a mistake by falling for a commercial hype.
In addition, 4 GB of RAM is ridiculously low in our current state of hardware
and software. I would advise canceling the order for this laptop,
if you still can.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 1 hour ago









harrymc

253k12261563




253k12261563












  • Although I don't completely agree with the first part of Harry's answer, I do agree with the overall message. In your case, I would imagine the laptop will not have the performance you were tricked into believing it has. Optane is not a replacement for traditional RAM.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: What part don't you agree with?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago










  • The part about it turning your conventional drive into a hybrid disk. I know what you mean but I think the description is slightly oversimplified. Optane does a lot more than just cache (part of your) storage data.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: Like what?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    Good answer. +1. Additionally, I would like to suggest this article, which compares access speeds to human reference scale, from 1 clock cycle -> 1 second, RAM -> 4 minutes and Optane -> 7 hours. This really shows how much scale difference there is between for example L1 cache and disk access speeds...
    – agtoever
    47 mins ago


















  • Although I don't completely agree with the first part of Harry's answer, I do agree with the overall message. In your case, I would imagine the laptop will not have the performance you were tricked into believing it has. Optane is not a replacement for traditional RAM.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: What part don't you agree with?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago










  • The part about it turning your conventional drive into a hybrid disk. I know what you mean but I think the description is slightly oversimplified. Optane does a lot more than just cache (part of your) storage data.
    – BloodPhilia
    1 hour ago










  • @BloodPhilia: Like what?
    – harrymc
    1 hour ago






  • 1




    Good answer. +1. Additionally, I would like to suggest this article, which compares access speeds to human reference scale, from 1 clock cycle -> 1 second, RAM -> 4 minutes and Optane -> 7 hours. This really shows how much scale difference there is between for example L1 cache and disk access speeds...
    – agtoever
    47 mins ago
















Although I don't completely agree with the first part of Harry's answer, I do agree with the overall message. In your case, I would imagine the laptop will not have the performance you were tricked into believing it has. Optane is not a replacement for traditional RAM.
– BloodPhilia
1 hour ago




Although I don't completely agree with the first part of Harry's answer, I do agree with the overall message. In your case, I would imagine the laptop will not have the performance you were tricked into believing it has. Optane is not a replacement for traditional RAM.
– BloodPhilia
1 hour ago












@BloodPhilia: What part don't you agree with?
– harrymc
1 hour ago




@BloodPhilia: What part don't you agree with?
– harrymc
1 hour ago












The part about it turning your conventional drive into a hybrid disk. I know what you mean but I think the description is slightly oversimplified. Optane does a lot more than just cache (part of your) storage data.
– BloodPhilia
1 hour ago




The part about it turning your conventional drive into a hybrid disk. I know what you mean but I think the description is slightly oversimplified. Optane does a lot more than just cache (part of your) storage data.
– BloodPhilia
1 hour ago












@BloodPhilia: Like what?
– harrymc
1 hour ago




@BloodPhilia: Like what?
– harrymc
1 hour ago




1




1




Good answer. +1. Additionally, I would like to suggest this article, which compares access speeds to human reference scale, from 1 clock cycle -> 1 second, RAM -> 4 minutes and Optane -> 7 hours. This really shows how much scale difference there is between for example L1 cache and disk access speeds...
– agtoever
47 mins ago




Good answer. +1. Additionally, I would like to suggest this article, which compares access speeds to human reference scale, from 1 clock cycle -> 1 second, RAM -> 4 minutes and Optane -> 7 hours. This really shows how much scale difference there is between for example L1 cache and disk access speeds...
– agtoever
47 mins ago










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