XPS 8940, Optane H10 memory

Question

I have an XPS 8940 (i5 11th generation K processor) with a 1 TB SSD boot drive and a 1 TB SATA mechanical drive. I wanted to add a 32GB/512GB H10 Optane memory module to the PCIe x4 slot on an adapter card and use it to accelerate the SATA drive. I can get the BIOS and Windows to recognize the SSD portion of the Optane memory, but the QLC NAND is not recognized. Moreover the Intel Optane memory and storage application shows that the QLC NAND is disabled and the Optane tab says 'There no suitable disk pairs'. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the app and using Disk Part to erase the disk partitions, but neither of these has worked. Is there something I’m missing or does the Optane module have go on the M.2 socket on the motherboard for this to work?

Vic384 · Answer

@JTB013 I am sure exactly why but I believe that Optane memory works closely with the chipset so PCIe interface is probably not sufficient therefore the Optane memory must be installed in the M.2 slot on the motherboard.

JTB013 · Answer

Can I switch the boot drive to the PCIE card and then put the Optane in the M.2 slot?

speedstep · Answer

@JTB013

Please press the blue Accept as Solution button below if this post answers your question.

Optane in M2 slot is HDD Cache not a drive. Either 16 or 32 gigs.

Optane in an X4 slot is a drive and VERY expensive for such a tiny drive. PCIe X4 Optane SSD 900P cards are available in 280GB / 480GB

PED1D280GAX1 Intel Optane 900P Series 280GB

https://www.newegg.com/p/1Z4-009F-00059

OPTANE 900P.png

Vic384 · Answer

@JTB013 You can try switching the SSD to the PCIe card but I am not sure the BIOS will allow you to boot from the PCIe card.With the Optane in the M.2 slot you can use the Intel Rapid Storage Technology app to setup caching of the HDD.

JTB013 · Answer

I switched the boot drive to the PCIE card, and the computer still boots. I then put the Optane module into the M.2 slot on the motherboard, but I still get the same error message (There are no valid disk pairs in your system on the Optane tab and on the manage tab it says that the memory portion of the module is disabled) in Intel Optane Memory and Storage management. Any more suggestions?

Vic384 · Answer

@JTB013 I have never used Optane memory but perhaps this link to an installation guide and video will help: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000023845/memory-and-storage/intel-optane-memory.html

JTB013 · Answer

Update: I finally contacted Dell sales and asked about Optane compatbility with the XPS 8940. I was told that M10 Optane is compatible, but not H10. So now I am think that the BIOS on the XPS 8940 is not compatible with H10 Optane memory. I bought an M10 Optane stick from EBay and I will install it when it gets here. I will report back after I see if that works.

JTB013 · Answer

Solved my Problem! Intel Optane M10 memory is compatible and worked both on the motherboard m.2 slot and in a PCIE adapter card. Apparently H10 or H20 memory is not compatible with either the XPS 8940 bios or motherboard.

XPS Desktops

XPS 8940, Optane H10 memory

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