3DXPoint

3DXPoint is a non-volatile memory technology developed by Intel and Micron Technology. It is designed to bridge the gap between traditional DRAM and NAND flash memory, offering a new class of memory known as Storage Class Memory (SCM). 3DXPoint memory cells are constructed using a 3D crosspoint architecture where memory cells are stacked in layers and connected by a grid of wires. This architecture allows for faster read and write speeds compared to NAND flash, while also providing non-volatility, meaning data is retained even when power is turned off.

The technology aims to accelerate applications that are limited by storage I/O performance. It is positioned to be significantly faster than NAND flash, with lower latency and higher endurance. This makes it suitable for demanding workloads such as real-time analytics, large-scale databases, and AI/ML training and inference. Intel has branded products utilizing this technology under the Optane brand.

3DXPoint memory is accessed at the byte addressable level, similar to DRAM, which simplifies its integration into existing systems and allows for more efficient data management compared to block-based NAND flash. However, it is slower than DRAM and also more expensive per gigabyte. Its primary advantage lies in its ability to offer a larger capacity than DRAM at a lower cost while providing much higher performance than NAND flash. This positions it as a potent tier in the memory and storage hierarchy, enabling new possibilities for data-intensive computing.