Will you need a Kaby Lake chipset to use Intel Optane SSD

[MatthewGB]

I've heard sources that say you do and don't, so does anyone know which is right?

 

[Tumeden]

Not entirely sure if this helps, but this was posted at the bottom of the Intel Optane SSD's manufacturer page

Intel® Optane™ Memory and its logo denote a platform feature made up of individual components and not solely a single small factor solid state drive or a memory media. A system that is Intel® Optane™ memory ready includes: an 7th Gen Intel® Core™ or Xeon® E3 v6 processor1, an Intel® 200 series2 or 100/C230 series3 (HM175, QM175, or CM238) chipset, M.2 type 2280-S1-B-M or 2242-S1-B-M connector on a PCH Remapped PCIe* Controller and Lanes in a x2 or x4 configuration with B-M keys that meet NVMe Spec 1.1 and System BIOS that supports the RST 15.5 driver.
Support limited to Intel® S-, H-, and U-series processors.
Only supported on 7th Gen Intel® Core™ or Xeon® E3 v6 S-series processors.
Only supported on 7th Gen Intel® Core™ or Xeon® E3 v6 H-series processors.
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/intel-optane-technology.html

 

[USAFRet]

I've heard sources that say you do and don't, so does anyone know which is right?

I wouldn't even think about considering that for another year.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3147015/storage/intels-silence-on-optane-ssds-raises-questions-about-launch-and-focus.html
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said sample Optane products will ship to more testers next year, and that “it’s really a 2018 ramp for that product,”

 

[MatthewGB]

Yeah, optane is far away, but I'm wondering if they are promoting kaby lake by making optane only compatable with kaby lake.
'Optane memory ready' could mean anything really.

 

[MatthewGB]

Also, is there much point for a consumer to upgrade to an optane? I mean, with even the cheapest ssds today, the cpu becomes an instant bottleneck in loading times for os or games. Would this improved latency only be for video editors and such?

 

[USAFRet]

Also, is there much point for a consumer to upgrade to an optane? I mean, with even the cheapest ssds today, the cpu becomes an instant bottleneck in loading times for os or games. Would this improved latency only be for video editors and such?

'Upgrade', probably not.

2 years from now, building a whole new system, maybe one of those will be a viable option.

 

[MatthewGB]

But the prices will be much higher then conventional ssds so wouldn't the optanes be a waste of money for the average gamer?

 

[USAFRet]

But the prices will be much higher then conventional ssds so wouldn't the optanes be a waste of money for the average gamer?

And SSD's used to be crazy expensive.
Today, not so much. Yes they're more expensive than HDD's, but not terribly so.

The Optane is just another potential step up.