An embodiment includes a programmable metallization cell (PMC) memory comprising: a top electrode and a bottom electrode; a metal layer between the top and bottom electrodes; and a solid electrolyte (SE) layer between the metal layer and the bottom electrode; wherein (a) the metal layer includes an alloy of first and second metals, and (b) metal ions from the first metal form a conductive path in the SE layer when the top electrode is positively biased and disband the conductive path when the top electrode is negatively biased. Other embodiments are described herein.