Guide Note

Intel Turbo Memory is an optional hardware component designed by Intel. It stores data using flash memory in order to decrease the amount of time a computer spends searching for information on the hard drive. Intel Turbo Memory is designed to decrease boot time and help computers run programs faster.

Fast Facts

1. Project codename: Robson
2. Announced as Intel Turbo Memory: October 17, 2005¹
3. Designed to cache frequently-accessed data on flash memory
4. Speeds up boot-up time and performance in RAM-dependent programs²
5. Lowers power consumption to increase battery-life on laptops²
6. Major laptop manufacturers Sony and Hewlett-Packard declined to include it in their products because of reported incompatibility with Windows Vista³
7. Microsoft openly stated that Vista supports Intel Turbo Memory⁴

Intel Turbo Memory uses NAND chips, the major component in contemporary flash drives. Data can be accessed significantly faster on NAND chips than on a hard drive, but it also takes significantly longer to write data to it.⁵ Intel Turbo Memory is designed to store commonly-used data ahead of time, so it can be quickly accessed when needed.