We're all used to the idea of an SSD plugging into a SATA port or M.2 slot by now, but the notion of non-volatile storage that can slide into a RAM slot is still a little weird. We've seen one such product from SanDisk, and there may soon be many more. JEDEC has announced a new standard for RAM-like hybrid memory modules called non-volatile DIMMs, or NVDIMMs. These devices will plug into DDR4 slots alongside regular DDR4 DIMMs.

Unlike a traditional DRAM module, an NVDIMM can retain data when it's powered off. JEDEC is initially standardizing two types: the NVDIMM-N, which combines DRAM and flash chips on one module to preserve data through a power outage or other interruption; and the NVDIMM-F, which is an entirely flash-based module that behaves like an SSD.

Multiple manufacturers are producing NVDIMMs now, with official product announcements set to arrive in "the coming months."