Intel® Optane™ Memory
Quick Start Guide
Aug, 2017
Version 1.0.2
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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Intel® Optane ™ memory, Intel's new smart and
adaptable system accelerator. For a smooth installation experience, please take a moment
to check and/or prep your system before installing the Intel® Optane™ memory module.
For users with basic PC building knowledge, we have provided this Quick Start Guide to
aid you in the setup process. For detailed requirements, installation, & setup procedures
refer to the User and Installation Guide.
If you need more information, please refer to the links below:
For the User and Installation Guide visit:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/memory-and-storage/intel-optane-
memory/000023989.html\
For an installation video tutorial visit:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/memory-and-storage/intel-optane-
memory/000023845.html
For help and support visit:
http://www.intel.com/support/optane-memory
For general information visit:
http://intel.com/OptaneMemory
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Let’s Get Started
Step 1: Install
         Install the Intel® Optane™ memory module into M.2 connector that supports Intel® Optane™
          memory or Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) remapping. Consult your Motherboard
          Manufacture’s user guide for the location of this connector.
          Visit http://www.intel.com/support/optane-memory-handling for proper handling instructions.
     Note: Diagram shown for example purposes only. Installation procedures may vary by manufacture,
     consult your Motherboard Manufacture’s support site.
Step 2: Download
         Download the latest driver from:
          https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26979/Intel-Optane-Memory?v=t
         Choose ‘SetupOptaneMemory.exe’ for the Intel® Optane™ memory application (Recommended).
         Run the executable (SetupOptaneMemory.exe) and install the defaults. When prompted, reboot
          system.
     Note: For additional advanced storage features the latest Intel® Rapid Storage Technology application
     (SetupRST.exe) may be used. Some BIOS configuration may be required before installation of the Operating System,
     please refer to the Intel User and Installation Guide for Intel® Optane™ Memory.
Step 3: Enable
         Wait for the application to launch automatically upon restart (may take up to 30 sec)
         When prompted, click ‘Yes’
         Navigate to the ‘Setup’ tab and click ‘Enable’
         When prompted, reboot system. A shutdown and then system power-on will not work – you must
          reboot.
Important Notes
        If at any time, you wish to remove the Intel® Optane™ memory module or SATA device being
         accelerated from your system, you MUST disable Intel® Optane™ memory via the application
         beforehand. Not doing so may result in system errors.
        It may take up to three subsequent launches of a particular file and/or application to experience the
         full benefits of Intel® Optane™ memory.
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Troubleshooting Tips
For additional help and support please visit:
http://www.intel.com/support/optane-memory
   Ensure You Have an “Intel® Optane™ Memory
    Ready” Motherboard                                                                 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
              The “Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready
              Badge” (shown) or the text “Intel®                              1. Intel® Optane™ memory supported
              Optane™ Memory Ready” will typically be                            7th Gen (or later) Intel® Core™
              displayed on the motherboard box or                                processor and chipset
    your Motherboard Manafacture’s website.
                                                                              2. An M.2 type 2280 connector that
                                                                                 supports:
   Ensure the System Requirements are Met
                                                                                 o Connection to a PCH chipset that can
    For detailed requirements, refer to the User and                               Remap the PCIe* Controller and Lanes
    Installation Guide.                                                            in a x2 or x4 configuration
    Tip: If your Motherboard is “Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready” it                 o B-M mechanical Keying that meets the
    will have a supported chipset and M.2 type 2280 connector.                     NVMe* V 1.1 Spec (or later)
    Tip: The Intel® Optane™ memory application will automatically
                                                                              3. Motherboard System BIOS that
    set the SATA controller mode if your Motherboard System
    BIOS supports automatic SATA controller mode switching.
                                                                                 supports Intel® Optane™ memory
                                                                              4. Supported SATA storage device
   Update Your Motherboard System BIOS                                          (Rotating Hard drive, SATA SSD or
                                                                                 Solid State Hard Drive (SSHD) with:
    Intel® Optane™ memory (or the Intel® Rapid Storage
    Technology (Intel® RST) V15.5 driver) will likely be                         o Windows* 10 64bit or above installed
    supported in the latest BIOS Update releases from                            o GPT partition format (Windows* 10
    your Motherboard vendor.                                                       natively formats in GPT)
    Tip: The Bios Release notes will likely call out an entry with               o At least 5MB of continuous unallocated
    “Intel® Optane™ Memory”, “Intel® Rapid Storage Technology                      space at the end of the boot volume
    (Intel® RST)”, or “PCH remapping” support in some way.                    5. PCH SATA controller mode set to a
    Download and Flash the latest BIOS before                                    supported mode:
    proceeding. Consult your manufacturers support site                          o Intel® RST and System Acceleration with
    for BIOS update procedures.                                                    Intel® Optane™ Technology’
                                                                                 o Intel® RST Premium and System
                                                                                   Acceleration with Intel® Optane™
   Create at Least 5MB of Unallocated Space at the
                                                                                   Technology’
    End of the Boot Volume
    The end of the boot volume must contain at least                         1
                                                                              Visit intel.com/optanememory for a list of
    5MB of continuous unallocated space to                                   supported processors and chipsets
    successfully pair the SATA drive with the Intel®
    Optane™ memory module.
    For more detailed information, please visit:
    https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/memory-
    and-storage/intel-optane-memory/000024253.html
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