Intel Turbo Memory

The module uses NAND flash memory to act as cache for the hard drive or as additional memory for the system, depending on which feature the user enables. NAND flash memory is also used in removable media cards such as CompactFlash® and Secure Digital (SD™) cards. Tests so far have provided good results with improved boot times as well as faster application loading on systems using these cards.

Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Cards are available in two sizes:

•  512 MB (post RTS) and 1 GB

  More sizes will become available as the technology gains wider use.

  Features
  Some of the features Intel Turbo Memory provides include the following:
  

•  Improved battery life with less hard drive access
  
•  Performance boost since applications can load two to three times faster
  
•  Cold boot acceleration (varies by OS and system type)
  
•  Improved hard drive life since the system requires less drive access

  

   

  Functionality
  These Mini-Cards can reside in either a dedicated Mini-Card slot or in place of the WWAN card since they share the same bus. The Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Cards do not work if inserted into the WLAN card slot. Additionally, these cards only work with the Windows Vista™ operating system; they do not work with the Windows® XP operating system. Windows Vista is designed to take advantage of these types of cache cards. With the addition of certain drivers, the OS specifically stores information here instead of the hard drive whenever possible. In this way, Vista provides better performance and additional power savings over Windows XP when using an Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Card.
  ReadyBoost
  Intel Turbo Memory is designed to work with the Windows ReadyBoost™ (1 GB version only) and ReadyDrive™ (both versions) technologies. When Intel Turbo Memory is used with ReadyBoost, data is cached in a similar fashion to how data is cached for the processor. Performance gets a boost because the hard drive is not accessed as frequently. The ICH8M chip that is part of the Intel G965 / P965 chipset handles where the data is stored and from where it is retrieved. It therefore knows to search Turbo Memory or to access the hard drive for the desired information.
  ReadyDrive
  When Intel Turbo Memory is working in ReadyDrive mode, it acts as nonvolatile (NV) memory for the hard drive. It provides an area of cache that can be accessed for information instead of accessing the drive itself. This obviously provides faster access times as well as increases the lifespan of the hard drive while providing additional power savings.
  If a system is equipped with both an Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Card and a hybrid hard drive, the Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Card automatically disables itself and uses the cache that is part of the hard drive for use with the ReadyDrive feature. It is still possible to use the Mini-Card with ReadyBoost. If a system has more than one hard drive installed, RAID must be disabled for the card to work. The card only works on the primary drive, even though ReadyDrive can work on additional drives.

  

   

  
  The utility installed with the card is called the Intel Turbo Memory Console. It allows users to enable which Windows Vista feature they want to use on the card:

  • Windows ReadyBoost (1 GB version only)
  • Windows ReadyDrive

  It is possible to select both options provided it is a 1 GB Intel Flash Cache Mini-Card and the system does not have a hybrid hard drive. If neither option is available (both are grayed out), then the card or driver has a problem.

  To properly use Intel Turbo Memory, the system must be running Windows Vista; the Windows Vista operating system is designed to look for and use these types of cards. The Intel Turbo Memory driver must also be installed for the card to work correctly. These cards do not work on systems with an AMD processor.

  The Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Card may also be referred to as the FCM in the Owner's Manual or in the RSL. In addition, the WWAN Mini-Card slot is labeled WWAN / FCM on the Mylar where the card sits. Any mention of FCM refers to the Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-card.
  Problems that arise from using Intel Turbo Memory manifest as issues normally related to memory. This means random lockups, random errors, and BSODs (blue screens of death). A bad card could cause a no-POST issue. The most effective way to determine if the card is causing the problem is to remove it and see if the problems continue.
  Included with the driver is the Intel Turbo Memory Console, as mentioned previously. It is automatically installed with the driver. If no options are available to enable either ReadyBoost or ReadyDrive in the interface, then the card is not working correctly. If the card is not listed here at all, then it is not detected by the system.
  Another method to determine if the ReadyBoost feature is working is to check the free space from the NVCACHE FAT32 partition properties in Disk Manager. If the available free space is less than 6 MB, then the READYBOOST.SFCACHE file exists.
  The Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Card is a CRU and has a separate part number in the RSL.
  Conditions for a Working Card
  For a Dell™ system to properly use Intel Turbo Memory, the following conditions must exist:
  

•  The system must have an Intel processor and have a Santa Rosa (Intel GM965 or PM965) or newer chipset.
  
•  The SATA Operation option in the BIOS must be set to AHCI.
  
•  RAID must be disabled, or else the card does not work.
  
•  The Intel Flash Cache setting in the BIOS must be enabled.
  
•  The card must be installed either in the dedicated Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Card (FCM) slot or the WWAN / FCM Mini-Card slot.
  
•  The system must be running Windows Vista.
  
•  The drivers for the card must be installed.
  o This includes the driver for the card as well as the IMSM driver. If either of these drivers is missing, you can reinstall both by installing the latest Intel Turbo Memory driver from Dell Support since this file contains both drivers.
  
•  The Intel Turbo Memory Console has been configured to correctly use ReadyDrive or ReadyBoost.
  
•  The system does not have a hybrid hard drive (Intel Turbo Memory automatically disables the ReadyDrive feature).
  Conditions That Cause a Card Not to Work
  If any of these conditions exist, Intel Turbo Memory cannot work correctly on a Dell system:
  
•  The system has an AMD processor.
  
•  The system chipset is not Intel or is an older model (such as the Intel 945G / 945P).
  
•  The Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-Card is installed in the WLAN Mini-Card slot.
  
•  The system has RAID enabled or the SATA Operation option is set to something other than AHCI.
  
•  The Intel Flash Cache option in the BIOS is disabled.
  
•  The system is running Windows XP or some operating system other than Windows Vista.
  
•  The Intel Turbo Memory driver or the IMSM driver is not installed.
  o Some companies may reimage systems as soon as they receive them. The image installed may not have the IMSM driver installed. Install the Intel Turbo Memory driver to correct this situation.
  
•  The Intel Turbo Memory Console has not been configured for ReadyBoost or ReadyDrive.
  
•  The system has a hybrid hard drive (Intel Turbo Memory automatically disables the ReadyDrive feature).

  NOTE: Intel Turbo Memory is only available on systems with an Intel processor. It is not available on systems with an AMD™ processor.