I used to have a system that allowed for DDR2 RAM to function like a hard drive through an add-in card. Recently, my PC decided it wouldn't accept four sticks of RAM anymore, so now I'm left with two extra sticks. I had the idea of utilizing these RAM sticks as NVMe storage, which would let me use them as a temporary workspace in my DrivePool without worrying about wear and tear like I would with an actual NVMe drive. I've looked around online, but all I seem to find are suggestions about using NVMe as RAM, which is the opposite of what I'm after. Is there a product out there, possibly under a different name, that lets me use RAM as storage? I need a hardware solution since my motherboard is no longer accommodating the RAM drive setup I was using before.
5 Answers
You might be looking for something like the Gigabyte I-RAM. It's an older tech, but they used to make cards that could turn DDR RAM sticks into fast storage. Just keep in mind that those aren't exactly common anymore and might be a hassle to find.
That's exactly what I was thinking of, but I figured they were outdated by now, especially since they were designed before PCIe became popular.
Back in the early 2000s, there were indeed PCI cards that utilized DDR RAM for fast storage, thanks to battery backup. However, I don't think anything like that has been made in recent years, and newer SSDs provide a more effective solution now.
I actually saw one of those at a Microcenter a few years ago but passed on it. I can see how a more modern version could be useful now, especially with the crazy RAM prices.
Yeah, I regret not just getting better RAM sticks from the start; now it's all so pricey!
Honestly, with the advancement in SSD technology, a RAM-based storage card isn't very practical anymore. If the power goes out, you lose everything on it, unless it has battery backup. Modern SSDs might be slightly slower, but they provide reliable long-term storage without the risk of data loss.
Oh, I remember devices that fit into a 5.25" bay and let you use memory as a hard drive! They would emulate an HDD and were used in some fancy editing setups 30 years ago, taking as little as 256MB of memory. Those were a cool novelty!
Have you thought about just selling the RAM and getting an SSD instead? Prices for SSDs aren't as inflated as RAM right now, and they'll definitely offer you better reliability for storage.
Yeah, I remember those cards from back in the day! It's impressive how quickly technology moves; they seem like a relic now.