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December 30th, 2022 05:00
Intel Optane upgrade size
Hi. Please forgive my ignorance on this issue.
I have a Dell 3670, which has a Intel Optane +932GBHD. I am running out of space and would like to increase to or install a larger hard drive. I can't seem to grasp this technology, on if it is all one unit or has a separate hard drive assisted by the Optane.
What can I do or can someone recommend any options for a larger hard drive? If there is an option, what would the procedure be?
Thanks in advance
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redxps630
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December 30th, 2022 22:00
Re: Just to confirm my understanding, the Octane memory and hard drive are 2 separate devices.
yes physically separate. Optane is M.2 form factor. HDD is 3.5” sata.
In theory you can unpair the two, somehow successfully clone the old hdd to a new bigger hdd, then pair the Optane w the new hdd. You do not need to physically remove the Optane but you should consider remove the old hdd so that it can be cloned in another desktop if available. There is no specific spec requirement of the new hdd as long as it is a 3.5” sata drive most commonly 7.2k in speed nowadays.
redxps630
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December 30th, 2022 06:00
Intel Optane memory is a system acceleration solution for the 7th generation and 8th generation Intel® Core™ Processor platforms. you can store commonly used data and programs in optane like using a cache.
Octane is Intel proprietary tech and has fallen out of vogue for a while. It is a M.2 device that you install in motherboard m.2 slot, which is separate from hdd. You could keep using the optane while only upgrading the hdd (but you need to unpair the two first), you could also unpair them, then replace the optane w a more popular and prevalent M.2 ssd that you can install in the same motherboard slot, install OS on the new ssd. SSD can have size comparable to hdd these days although it is more expensive than hdd per capacity size.
FAQ on Dell Optane (good read)
Once an Optane module and a hdd are paired, the hdd is not interchangeable without unpairing the drives first.
Optane modules can be paired and unpaired using the Intel Rapid Storage Technology or Optane version 15.5.xx.xxxx or higher user interface. You can also unpair the Optane module via the F12 menu, Device Configuration option, to access the Optane configuration pages of the BIOS.
Once in the Optane BIOS Setup, select "De-concantonate" to unpair the Optane module and the paired SATA drive.
rick2651
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December 30th, 2022 10:00
Thanks for the information, very ihelpful. Just to confirm my understanding, the Octane memory and hard drive are 2 separate devices.
I understand the unpairing of the drive prior to cloning and then I must pair the drive once cloning is complete.
My only question ( until I actually do it) is there any specific drive specs that must be met? I believe the only m.2 slot is being used by the Octane memory so it will need to be a platter drive. I am partial to Western Digital
Thanks again for your help and patience
rick2651
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April 29th, 2025 13:40
@rick2651 Hi To continue this thread I appreciate all responses. However I have a couple more questions. Is my understanding correct, to unpair the platter drive, clone it to a larger drive and than repair the drives?
Secondly, which would be the better move, upsize the platter drive or remove the octane drive and replace with a larger ssd and just run that? My understanding is in doing that everything would be on the ssd and my old platter drive would be for storage or whatever. Is there a step by step page somewere to help accomplish this? Also in using a ssd what bios changes would be made?