Jump to content

Intel Turbo Memory: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Tijfo098 (talk | contribs)
16,966 edits
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5
 
(33 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Intel Turbo Memory''' is a technology introduced by [[Intel Corporation]] that uses NAND [[flash memory]] modules to reduce the time it takes for a computer to power up, access programs, and write data to the [[hard drive]]. During development, the technology was codenamed Robson.<ref name = "tgdaily_robson">{{cite web | last = Gruener | first = Wolfgang | title = Intel's Robson gets a real name: Turbo Memory | work = TG Daily | date = March 16, 2007 | url = http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/31250/135/ | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref> It is supported by most of the [[List_of_Intel_chipsets#Core_2_Mobile_chipsets|Core 2 Mobile chipset]] series, but not by the newer [[Core i Series]] mobile chipsets.
'''Intel Turbo Memory''' is a technology introduced by [[Intel Corporation]] that uses NAND [[flash memory]] modules to reduce the time it takes for a computer to power up, access programs, and write data to the [[hard drive]]. During development, the technology was codenamed Robson.<ref name="tgdaily_robson">{{cite web | last = Gruener | first = Wolfgang | title = Intel's Robson gets a real name: Turbo Memory | work = TG Daily | date = March 16, 2007 | url = http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/31250/135/ | accessdate = March 5, 2009 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090107155040/http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/31250/135/ | archivedate = January 7, 2009 }}</ref> It is supported by most of the [[List_of_Intel_chipsets#Core_2_mobile_chipsets|Core 2 Mobile chipset]] series, but not by the newer [[Core i Series]] mobile chipsets.


==Overview==
==Overview==
The technology was publicly introduced on October 24, 2005, at the [[Intel Developer Forum]] (IDF) in [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] when a [[laptop]] that booted up almost immediately was demonstrated.<ref name = "macworld_nystedt">{{cite web | last = Nystedt | first = Dan | title = Intel slashes PC power-up times | work = [[Macworld]] | date = October 17, 2005 | url = http://www.macworld.com/article/47488/2005/10/robson.html | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref> The technology attempts to decrease hard drive usage by moving frequently accessed data over to the flash memory. Flash memory can be accessed faster than hard drives and requires less power to operate, thereby allowing laptops to operate faster while also being more power efficient.<ref name = "intel_release">{{cite press release | publisher=Intel Corporation | date = March 7, 2006 | title=Intel Discloses Technologies To Make The Internet More Personal And Mobile | url=http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20060307corp_b.htm | accessdate = May 10, 2006}}</ref><ref name = "extremetech_1">{{cite web | last = Loh | first = Victor | last2 = Case | first2 = Loyd | title = Intel's Robson Boosts Hard Drive Performance | work = ExtremeTech | date = March 10, 2006 | url = http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1936920,00.asp | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref>
The technology was publicly introduced on October 24, 2005, at the [[Intel Developer Forum]] (IDF) in [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] when a [[laptop]] that booted up almost immediately was demonstrated.<ref name = "macworld_nystedt">{{cite web | last = Nystedt | first = Dan | title = Intel slashes PC power-up times | work = [[Macworld]] | date = October 17, 2005 | url = http://www.macworld.com/article/47488/2005/10/robson.html | accessdate = March 5, 2009 | archive-date = September 25, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120925015124/http://www.macworld.com/article/1047488/robson.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> The technology attempts to decrease hard drive usage by moving frequently accessed data over to the flash memory. Flash memory can be accessed faster than hard drives and requires less power to operate, thereby allowing laptops to operate faster while also being more power efficient.<ref name = "intel_release">{{cite press release | publisher=Intel Corporation | date = March 7, 2006 | title=Intel Discloses Technologies To Make The Internet More Personal And Mobile | url=http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20060307corp_b.htm | accessdate = May 10, 2006}}</ref><ref name = "extremetech_1">{{cite web | last1 = Loh | first1 = Victor | last2 = Case | first2 = Loyd | title = Intel's Robson Boosts Hard Drive Performance | work = ExtremeTech | date = March 10, 2006 | url = http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1936920,00.asp | accessdate = March 5, 2009 | archive-date = March 3, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090303133252/http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0%2C1697%2C1936920%2C00.asp | url-status = dead }}</ref>


The Turbo memory cache connects to a [[motherboard]] via a mini-[[PCI Express|PCIe]] interface.
The Turbo memory cache connects to a [[motherboard]] via a mini-[[PCI Express|PCIe]] interface. It supports features available in [[Microsoft]] [[Windows Vista]], namely [[ReadyBoost]] (a hard-drive caching solution via [[USB flash drive]]s) and [[Windows Vista I/O technologies#ReadyDrive|ReadyDrive]] (a hard-drive caching solution via [[hybrid drive]]s). These features allow both read caching and write caching of [[data]]. Often this is implemented with a Disk Filtering [[Option ROM]] (DFOROM).
It is designed to leverage features introduced in [[Windows Vista]], namely [[ReadyBoost]] (a supplementation of RAM-based disk caching by dedicated files on [[flash drive]]s, except on the 512 MB version) and/or [[Windows Vista I/O technologies#ReadyDrive|ReadyDrive]] (a non-volatile caching solution, i.e. an implementation of a [[hybrid drive]], as long as the main storage isn't already one);<ref>{{cite web |title=Intel Turbo Memory |url=https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/it-it/000146231/intel-turbo-memory |publisher=Dell |access-date=18 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
as ReadyBoost is backed by temporary files on generic storage volumes, it is unofficially possible to destinate this space for general purpose storage.<ref>{{cite web |author1=swarfega |title=Windows 7 using Intel Turbo Memory (Robson) as [a persistent RAM disk] |url=https://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/35867-windows-7-using-intel-turbo-memory-robson-ram.html |website=SevenForums |access-date=19 March 2023 |date=2009-11-05}}</ref>

Turbo Memory is not compatible with previous versions of Windows (with only a [[no-op]] driver that merely acknowledges the device existing for Windows 2000 and XP);<ref>{{cite web |title=Release notes - Disabling tool for Intel Turbo Memory |url=https://thinkpads.com/support/Thinkpad-Drivers/download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/7kip05ww.txt |publisher=Lenovo |access-date=19 March 2023 |language=en |format=txt |date=2009-06-11 |quote=Windows XP/2000 operating systems do not support Intel Turbo Memory. [...] This package is to eliminate the Yellow Exclamation (!) in Device Manager.}}</ref>
Linux support is limited to a third-party experimental [[Memory Technology Device|MTD]] driver only supporting 2 GB modules.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ekman |first1=Erik |title=turbomem: Incomplete Linux driver for Intel Turbo Memory Controller ("Robson") PCIe card |website=[[GitHub]] |url=https://github.com/yarrick/turbomem |access-date=19 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
<!-- These features allow both read caching and write caching of [[data]]. Often this is implemented with a Disk Filtering [[Option ROM]] (DFOROM).-->


==Availability==
==Availability==
Intel Turbo Memory was made available on May 9, 2007, on the Intel's ''[[Centrino#Santa Rosa platform|Santa Rosa]]'' platform and their ''Crestline'' (GM965) [[chipset]]s. Intel Turbo Memory 2.0 was introduced on July 15, 2008, on Intel's ''[[Centrino#Montevina platform|Montevina]]'' platform and their ''Cantiga'' (GM47) [[chipset]]s. It is available in 1, 2, and 4GB modules. It is supported in the Intel [[List_of_Intel_chipsets#Core_2_Mobile_chipsets|965]] Express chipset, and the Intel [[List_of_Intel_chipsets#Core_2_Mobile_chipsets|4 Series]] Express chipsets (2GB and 4GB modules only).
Intel Turbo Memory was made available on May 9, 2007, on the Intel's ''[[Centrino#Santa Rosa platform|Santa Rosa]]'' platform and their ''Crestline'' (GM965) [[chipset]]s. Intel Turbo Memory 2.0 was introduced on July 15, 2008, on Intel's ''[[Centrino#Montevina platform|Montevina]]'' platform and their ''Cantiga'' (GM47) [[chipset]]s. It is available in 1, 2, and 4GB modules. It is supported in the Intel [[List_of_Intel_chipsets#Core_2_mobile_chipsets|965]] Express chipset, and the Intel [[List_of_Intel_chipsets#Core_2_mobile_chipsets|4 Series]] Express chipsets (2GB and 4GB modules only).


Several retailers, such as [[Acer Inc.|Acer]],<ref name = "ZDNet_1">{{cite web | last = David | first = Meyer | title = HP says no to Intel's Turbo Memory | work = ZDNet.co.uk | date = June 4, 2007 | url = http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,1000000091,39287346,00.htm | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref> [[Asus]],<ref name = "hothardware_1">{{cite web | last = Lo | first = Harry | title = Asus Now Offers Intel Turbo Memory on Notebooks | work = HotHardware.com | date = July 24, 2007 | url = http://hothardware.com/News/Asus_Now_Offers_Intel_Turbo_Memory_on_Notebooks/ | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref> [[Dell]],<ref name = "ZDNet_1"/> [[Lenovo]],<ref name = "lenovo_features">{{cite web | title = Notebook features short descriptions | url = http://www.pc.ibm.com/ca/thinkpad/short_desc.html | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref> [[Sager Notebook Computers|Sager]],<ref name = "sager_1">{{cite web | title = The new Sager NP8660 notebook | work = Sager Notebook Computer | url = http://www.sagernotebook.com/product_customed.php?pid=90599 | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref> [[Toshiba]],<ref name = "ZDNet_1"/> etc., sell laptops enabled with the Intel Turbo Memory technology.
Several retailers, such as [[Acer Inc.|Acer]],<ref name = "ZDNet_1">{{cite web | last = David | first = Meyer | title = HP says no to Intel's Turbo Memory | work = ZDNet.co.uk | date = June 4, 2007 | url = http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,1000000091,39287346,00.htm | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref> [[Asus]],<ref name = "hothardware_1">{{cite web | last = Lo | first = Harry | title = Asus Now Offers Intel Turbo Memory on Notebooks | work = HotHardware.com | date = July 24, 2007 | url = http://hothardware.com/News/Asus_Now_Offers_Intel_Turbo_Memory_on_Notebooks/ | accessdate = March 5, 2009}}</ref> [[Dell]],<ref name = "ZDNet_1"/> [[Lenovo]],<ref name="lenovo_features">{{cite web | title = Notebook features short descriptions | url = http://www.pc.ibm.com/ca/thinkpad/short_desc.html | accessdate = March 5, 2009 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120620130228/http://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/ | archivedate = June 20, 2012 }}</ref> Sager,<ref name="sager_1">{{cite web | title = The new Sager NP8660 notebook | work = Sager Notebook Computer | url = http://www.sagernotebook.com/product_customed.php?pid=90599 | accessdate = March 5, 2009 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120214212215/http://www.sagernotebook.com/product_customed.php?pid=90599 | archivedate = February 14, 2012 }}</ref> [[Toshiba]],<ref name = "ZDNet_1"/> etc., sold laptops enabled with the Intel Turbo Memory technology.


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
A review in [[AnandTech]] largely concurred with some OEM criticism finding that "it basically does nothing for the user experience".<ref>[http://www.anandtech.com/show/2252/8 Investigating Intel's Turbo Memory: Does it really work?], [[AnandTech]]</ref> [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]] refused to use the technology.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/HP-says-no-to-Intels-Turbo-Memory/2100-1004_3-6188531.html HP says no to Intel's Turbo Memory], [[CNET]]</ref> [[Ars Technica]] wrote in 2009 that Turbo Memory "never took off",<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2009/09/intels-new-flash-tech-to-bring-back-turbo-memory-for-real.ars Intel's new flash tech to bring back Turbo Memory, for real], [[Ars Technica]]</ref> and [[CNET]] similarly pronounced that it was "never widely adopted",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crothers |first1=Brooke |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/intel-braidwood-chip-targets-snappier-software/ |title=Intel 'Braidwood' chip targets snappier software |date=6 June 2009 |website=[[CNET]] |accessdate=1 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> because "Turbo Memory (and Turbo Memory 2.0) wasn't cheap, and it definitely wasn't worth the cost."<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-10327453-23.html Intel's 'Braidwood'--Turbo Memory done right?], CNET</ref>
A review in [[AnandTech]] largely concurrend with some OEM criticism finding that "it basically does nothing for the user experience".<ref>[http://www.anandtech.com/show/2252/8 Investigating Intel's Turbo Memory: Does it really work?], [[AnandTech]]</ref>

In 2009 Intel had announced the successor to Turbo Memory for the 5-Series mobile chipsets, codename Braidwood. However, the series was launched without this technology. The [[ThinkPad]] lineup built on the [[Westmere (microarchitecture)|first generation Intel Core-i platform]] features [[Footprint (electronics)|lands]] to connect a Braidwood module, however no production ThinkPad motherboard had the connector populated.<ref>{{cite web|title=X201 tablet mod: adding a 3rd (and maybe 4th) mini PCIe|url=https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=756056|website=thinkpads.com Support Community|accessdate=2 November 2017|language=en-gb|date=20 April 2015}}</ref> In 2011, [[The Register]] wrote "I think we can say Braidwood has sunk without trace."<ref>[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/01/intel_flash_cache/ Intel trying a flash cache again], [[The Register]]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Cache]]
* [[Disk buffer]]
* [[ExpressCache]]
* [[Hybrid drive]]
* [[Hybrid drive]]
* [[Smart Response Technology]]
* [[Smart Response Technology]]
* [[3D XPoint]], marketed as Intel ''Optane'' memory


==References==
==References==
Line 25: Line 35:
* [http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/apac/eng/products/mobile/mprod/turbo_memory/396715.htm Intel® Turbo Memory]
* [http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/apac/eng/products/mobile/mprod/turbo_memory/396715.htm Intel® Turbo Memory]


⚫
[[Category:Intel chipsets|Turbo Memory]]
[[Category:Computer memory]]
[[Category:Computer memory]]
[[Category:Non-volatile memory]]
[[Category:Non-volatile memory]]
[[Category:Discontinued products]]

[[Category:Solid-state caching]]
⚫
[[ca:Intel Turbo Memory]]
[[de:Turbo Memory]]
[[es:Caché Robson]]
[[fr:Intel Turbo Memory]]
[[ko:인텔 터보 메모리]]
[[it:Intel Turbo Memory]]
[[ms:Robson]]
[[ja:ターボメモリー]]
[[pl:Intel Turbo Memory]]
[[ru:Intel Turbo Memory]]
[[sv:Robson cache]]
[[zh:Intel Turbo Memory]]

Latest revision as of 16:33, 8 September 2024

Intel Turbo Memory is a technology introduced by Intel Corporation that uses NAND flash memory modules to reduce the time it takes for a computer to power up, access programs, and write data to the hard drive. During development, the technology was codenamed Robson.[1] It is supported by most of the Core 2 Mobile chipset series, but not by the newer Core i Series mobile chipsets.

Overview

[edit]

The technology was publicly introduced on October 24, 2005, at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in Taiwan when a laptop that booted up almost immediately was demonstrated.[2] The technology attempts to decrease hard drive usage by moving frequently accessed data over to the flash memory. Flash memory can be accessed faster than hard drives and requires less power to operate, thereby allowing laptops to operate faster while also being more power efficient.[3][4]

The Turbo memory cache connects to a motherboard via a mini-PCIe interface. It is designed to leverage features introduced in Windows Vista, namely ReadyBoost (a supplementation of RAM-based disk caching by dedicated files on flash drives, except on the 512 MB version) and/or ReadyDrive (a non-volatile caching solution, i.e. an implementation of a hybrid drive, as long as the main storage isn't already one);[5] as ReadyBoost is backed by temporary files on generic storage volumes, it is unofficially possible to destinate this space for general purpose storage.[6]

Turbo Memory is not compatible with previous versions of Windows (with only a no-op driver that merely acknowledges the device existing for Windows 2000 and XP);[7] Linux support is limited to a third-party experimental MTD driver only supporting 2 GB modules.[8]

Availability

[edit]

Intel Turbo Memory was made available on May 9, 2007, on the Intel's Santa Rosa platform and their Crestline (GM965) chipsets. Intel Turbo Memory 2.0 was introduced on July 15, 2008, on Intel's Montevina platform and their Cantiga (GM47) chipsets. It is available in 1, 2, and 4GB modules. It is supported in the Intel 965 Express chipset, and the Intel 4 Series Express chipsets (2GB and 4GB modules only).

Several retailers, such as Acer,[9] Asus,[10] Dell,[9] Lenovo,[11] Sager,[12] Toshiba,[9] etc., sold laptops enabled with the Intel Turbo Memory technology.

Reception

[edit]

A review in AnandTech largely concurred with some OEM criticism finding that "it basically does nothing for the user experience".[13] HP refused to use the technology.[14] Ars Technica wrote in 2009 that Turbo Memory "never took off",[15] and CNET similarly pronounced that it was "never widely adopted",[16] because "Turbo Memory (and Turbo Memory 2.0) wasn't cheap, and it definitely wasn't worth the cost."[17]

In 2009 Intel had announced the successor to Turbo Memory for the 5-Series mobile chipsets, codename Braidwood. However, the series was launched without this technology. The ThinkPad lineup built on the first generation Intel Core-i platform features lands to connect a Braidwood module, however no production ThinkPad motherboard had the connector populated.[18] In 2011, The Register wrote "I think we can say Braidwood has sunk without trace."[19]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gruener, Wolfgang (March 16, 2007). "Intel's Robson gets a real name: Turbo Memory". TG Daily. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  2. ^ Nystedt, Dan (October 17, 2005). "Intel slashes PC power-up times". Macworld. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  3. ^ "Intel Discloses Technologies To Make The Internet More Personal And Mobile" (Press release). Intel Corporation. March 7, 2006. Retrieved May 10, 2006.
  4. ^ Loh, Victor; Case, Loyd (March 10, 2006). "Intel's Robson Boosts Hard Drive Performance". ExtremeTech. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  5. ^ "Intel Turbo Memory". Dell. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  6. ^ swarfega (2009-11-05). "Windows 7 using Intel Turbo Memory (Robson) as [a persistent RAM disk]". SevenForums. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Release notes - Disabling tool for Intel Turbo Memory" (txt). Lenovo. 2009-06-11. Retrieved 19 March 2023. Windows XP/2000 operating systems do not support Intel Turbo Memory. [...] This package is to eliminate the Yellow Exclamation (!) in Device Manager.
  8. ^ Ekman, Erik. "turbomem: Incomplete Linux driver for Intel Turbo Memory Controller ("Robson") PCIe card". GitHub. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  9. ^ a b c David, Meyer (June 4, 2007). "HP says no to Intel's Turbo Memory". ZDNet.co.uk. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  10. ^ Lo, Harry (July 24, 2007). "Asus Now Offers Intel Turbo Memory on Notebooks". HotHardware.com. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  11. ^ "Notebook features short descriptions". Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  12. ^ "The new Sager NP8660 notebook". Sager Notebook Computer. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  13. ^ Investigating Intel's Turbo Memory: Does it really work?, AnandTech
  14. ^ HP says no to Intel's Turbo Memory, CNET
  15. ^ Intel's new flash tech to bring back Turbo Memory, for real, Ars Technica
  16. ^ Crothers, Brooke (6 June 2009). "Intel 'Braidwood' chip targets snappier software". CNET. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  17. ^ Intel's 'Braidwood'--Turbo Memory done right?, CNET
  18. ^ "X201 tablet mod: adding a 3rd (and maybe 4th) mini PCIe". thinkpads.com Support Community. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  19. ^ Intel trying a flash cache again, The Register
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Intel_Turbo_Memory&oldid=1244695308"