Optane vs NVMe

The Evolution of Storage: Optane vs NVMe - A Deep Technical Analysis

Lightning-fast storage is critical. It could mean the difference between an AI model training session taking days or hours. It could mean the difference between a smooth rendering of an 8K video project or one that stutters every frame. Intel’s Optane and NVMe are two storage technologies that push the boundary of performance.

Timeline showing storage evolution from HDD to SATA SSD to NVMe to Optane

Understanding Intel Optane Technology

Intel Optane represents a new approach to storage architecture. Announced in 2015, Optane products hit the market in 2017. It is based on 3D XPoint technology, jointly developed by Intel and Micron, which bridges the gap between memory and storage.

3D XPoint uses a unique memory cell structure that stores data through changes in electrical resistance, rather than trapping charge like traditional NAND flash. One of Optane's key advantages is ultra-low latency, often below 10 microseconds for read/write operations compared to tens of microseconds for high-end NAND SSDs.

3D XPoint Architecture Diagram showing memory cell structure

Here are some of the key characteristics of Optane:

• 10x lower latency than NAND
• 3x write endurance
• 4x write operations per second
• 3x read operations per second
• 30% lower power consumption

Feature	Specification
Memory Type	3D XPoint
Typical Capacities	16GB - 960GB
Protocol	NVMe
Interface	PCIe/M.2
Write Endurance	Up to 5PB (900P series)
Latency	~10μs

Technical Specifications Table for Optane

NVMe Technology

NVMe is the natural evolution of storage protocols, designed specifically for flash memory and parallel operation. The first NVMe specification (version 1.0) was released in March 2011 by the NVM Express Work Group, which consisted of over 90 companies.

It was developed to overcome the limitations of traditional storage interfaces like SATA and SAS. NVMe was created to fully leverage the performance potential of solid-state drives (SSDs).

Regular updates to the specification have added features like multi-path I/O, namespace management, and support for emerging technologies like zoned namespaces and key-value storage.

SSD Block Diagram

Here are some of the key aspects of NVMe:

• Direct PCIe connection
• Optimized command set
• Parallel operation capability
• Advanced queue management

Performance Comparison

Let’s now compare the performance of Optane vs an NVMe SSD.

Metric	Optane	NVMe SSD
Sequential Read	Up to 2500 MB/s	Up to 3500 MB/s
Sequential Write	Up to 2000 MB/s	Up to 2800 MB/s
Random 4K QD1 Read	Superior	Good
Latency	Ultra-low	Low
Price per GB	~$0.53	~$0.18

Comprehensive Pros and Cons Analysis

Optane:

Pros	Cons
Ultra-low latency	Higher cost per GB
Superior endurance	Limited capacity options
Memory-like performance	Discontinued by Intel
Excellent for mixed workloads	Limited vendor support

Optane offers several advantages, including ultra-low latency and superior endurance, making it perform more like memory than traditional storage. This makes Optane well-suited for demanding tasks like databases and AI workloads, which benefit from its ability to handle mixed workloads efficiently.

However, Optane also presents certain drawbacks. It comes at a higher cost per GB compared to other storage solutions like NVMe SSDs. Additionally, Optane faces limited capacity options and reduced vendor support due to Intel's decision to discontinue the technology in 2022.

NVMe:

Pros	Cons
Wide market availability	Higher latency than Optane
Better price/performance	Lower endurance
Larger capacities	Queue depth sensitivity
Multi-vendor support	Protocol overhead

NVMe boasts wide market availability and strong multi-vendor support, making it a readily accessible and well-supported storage solution. It generally offers a better price-to-performance ratio compared to Optane and provides larger storage capacities, making it suitable for a wider range of applications like gaming, content creation, and general storage purposes.

However, NVMe does have some disadvantages. Its latency is higher compared to Optane, and it has lower endurance. NVMe can also exhibit sensitivity to queue depth, and there is some protocol overhead associated with its operation.

Use Case Analysis

So, in which scenarios would Optane be preferable over NVMe? Refer to the table below:

Optane Optimal Scenarios	NVMe Optimal Scenarios
Database applications	Gaming
AI/ML workloads	Content creation
Low-latency computing	General storage
Enterprise caching	Consumer applications
High-frequency trading	Large file transfers

 

Why is Optane suited for ML/AI workloads?

What is about Optane that makes it so good for AI/ML workloads and high-frequency trading? Optane offers latencies as low as 10 microseconds, which is crucial for real-time AI inference and high-frequency trading where millisecond-level responsiveness matters. AI/ML workloads also involve frequent writes, especially during model training. Optane's superior write endurance compared to NAND SSDs makes it ideal for these demanding workloads.

Optane bridges the gap between memory and storage, allowing AI algorithms to access large datasets quickly without needing to constantly move data between RAM and storage. Last but not least, unlike traditional SSDs, Optane maintains consistent performance across mixed read/write workloads, which is common in AI/ML applications.

Why is NVMe suited for gaming and general storage?

NVMe drives provide excellent sequential read/write speeds, which is good for game loading times and large file transfers. NVMe's ability to handle multiple queues and commands simultaneously improves overall system responsiveness, benefiting multitasking scenarios common in gaming and general use.

But apart from performance, NVMe SSDs are available from multiple manufacturers, offering competitive pricing and options. They’re also compatible with most modern systems. While not as fast as Optane, NVMe offers a good balance of performance and cost for general consumer use cases.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

The price differential between technologies is significant. Let’s look at the price of a 1 TB SSD

• Optane: ~$0.53 per GB

Optane SSD

• NVMe SSDs: ~$0.18 per GB

NVMe SSD

Technical Implementation Considerations

When implementing either Optane or NVMe, consider:

1. Hardware Requirements:
• PCIe 3.0 x4 or better
• Example motherboards:
• ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
• MSI MEG Z590 ACE
• Gigabyte Z590 AORUS Master

2. Software Requirements:
• Windows 10 1903 or newer
• Linux kernel 4.12 or newer
• Latest Intel RST drivers
• NVMe driver version 1.3 or higher

Storage Technology Continue To Evolve

Intel discontinued Optane in 2022 due to lack of demand and profitability issues. While it is admittedly a setback, storage technology continues to progress and develop. Here are some developments are worth noting:

1. Emerging Technologies:
• CXL (Compute Express Link)
• PCIe 5.0 SSDs
• Storage-class memory alternatives

2. Market Impact:
• Shift towards hybrid storage solutions
• Focus on software-defined storage
• Development of new memory technologies