Intel Introduces Faster Optane M15 Series with 4 PCIe Lanes
Faster Performance and Improved Efficiency
Intel’s new Optane M15 series has been announced for 7th Gen and above Intel Core processor systems, and it becomes the first iteration to attach via your motherboard’s PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe interface, with the previous M10 Series using just two PCIe lanes.
The M15 Series will be available as before in 16GB / 32GB / 64 GB modules and offers significant performance uplift compared to the M10 series with sequential and random read/write speed gains across the board, as well as reduced latency.
"The Intel Optane memory M15 features two extra PCIe lanes that enable higher throughput bandwidth for enhanced system acceleration and responsiveness. Intel Optane memory M15 also adds incremental NVMe features, improved low power states, and improved power state transitions—all of which enable a higher level of performance than its predecessor, Intel Optane memory M10."
| Intel Optane Memory Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Intel Optane Memory M10 Series | Intel Optane Memory M15 Series | |
| Capacity and Form Factor | M.2 80mm: 16, 32, 64GB; M.2 42mm: 16GB | M.2 80mm: 16, 32, 64GB |
| Components | Intel Optane memory module with Intel Optane memory media Intel Controller and Firmware Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) 15.7 or later driver |
Intel Optane memory module with Intel Optane memory media Intel Controller and Firmware Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) 17 or later driver |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x2 with NVMe | PCIe 3.0 x4 with NVMe |
| Sequential Read | Up to 1450 MB/s | Up to 2000 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | Up to 640 MB/s | Up to 900 MB/s |
| QD4 4K Random Read | Up to 250K IOPS | Up to 450K IOPS |
| QD4 4K Random Write | Up to 140K IOPS | Up to 220K IOPS |
| Latency | Average Read/Write: 6.75/18 µs (TYP) | Average Read/Write: 6.75/12 µs (TYP) |
| Endurance | 200 GB Writes Per Day Up to 365 TBW |
200 GB Writes Per Day Up to 365 TBW |
| Power | 3.3V Supply Rail Active: up to 3.5W Deep Sleep/L1.2: 11mW |
3.3V Supply Rail Active: up to 5.5W Deep Sleep/L1.2: <5mW |
| Supported Platforms | 7th Gen or newer Intel Core processor-based Platforms | 7th Gen or newer Intel Core processor-based Platforms |
| Warranty | 5-year limited warranty | 5-year limited warranty |
Intel has worked on efficiency as well with the M15 series, and while active power with the largest module has risen from up to 3.5W to up to 5.5W, the M15 series offers improved power state transitions and low-power states, now with just <5mW Deep Sleep/L1.2 compared to 11mW from the M10 series.
The new Intel Optane Memory M15 will go on sale in mid-Q3.
PCI-E 3.0? Still? That’s two major revisions behind now. Come on, Intel.