@ lordkag:
I just have compared the Nvme.ffs files, which I had extracted from the BIOSes v2401 for the ASUS mainboards Z97 DELUXE, Z97 PRO and Z97-A.
The only differences:
1. Byte at offset 0x11 (seems to be just the checksum correction) and
2. at least 3 bytes at offset 0xDC-0xDE.
I will test it as well. Natively the BIOS of the ASUS P8Z68-V doesn’t contain any EFI RaidDriver (resp. SataDriver) module. So I cannot update, but simply insert it.
I think you got them mixed up, because the last time I checked it was like this:
The selected ones have a version, the others have another version. I don’t know what makes them special, to have a different code base, but maybe Asus sees them internally as Deluxe cards for a specific segment. I know there are much more Z97 cards than that, as it can be viewed here, but I selected a representative sample. The new 2401 version seems to have the same code as the corresponding 2205, with the changes you mentioned: 0x11 - data checksum, 0xDC-0xDF - timestamp. And here is the date between Deluxe and Pro:
The code itself (for NVMe) is not that different between Deluxe and Pro. I see just a few variables being switched, with the backbone being the same.
No, it doesn’t.
I just have tested it with my Z97 system. The loaded Intel EFI RaidDriver is v13.5.0.2164. All connected SATA drives are listed by the Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology Utility, but not the Intel 750 PCIe SSD.
By the way: This Intel 750 SSD isn’t listed at all within the "Advanced" section of the AS Rock Z97 Extreme6 UEFI BIOS.
@ all:
Today I have done the promised tests with my Z68 system.
The question was: Is it possible by a BIOS modification to give an Intel Z68 or Z77 Chipset System the ability to boot off an NVMe supporting PCIe connected SSD like the Intel 750?
And my short answer is: Yes! I succeeded at first try!
Here are the details about the test system: Mainboard: ASUS P8Z68-V with the latest BIOS 3603, System Drive: 500 GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD, OS: Win 8.1 x64 installed in UEFI mode. SATA Mode: AHCI.
And here are the details of my main system: Mainboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme6 with the latest BIOS 2.30 and native NVMe support, System Drive: 400 GB Intel 750 PCIe SSD running with NVMe, OS: Win10 x64 TP Build 10147 installed in UEFI mode.
This is what I have done:
@ lordkag:
What do you say now?
Thanks for your advice to take the NVMe modules from the ASUS Z97 Pro BIOS.
Best regards
Dieter
EDIT at 02/12/2017: The above report about my first successfull NVME drive test with an Intel Z68 system was written in June 2015 and is not up-to-date anymore regarding the inserted NVMe modules. Meanwhile there are better and universally usable NVMe BIOS modules available. Please look into the start post of this thread, if you want to know how to get an NVMe SSD bootable with an old system having an UEFI BIOS.
Great results. Congratulations.
Is 750 on pcie 2 or pcie 3?
If you mean my ASRock Z97 Extreme6 mainboard, it is within the PCIE2 slot.
During my tests with the ASUS P8Z68-V board I had inserted the Intel 750 into the PCIEX16_1 slot.
Thanks for testing. Good to know! 
But back to my question few weeks ago: So NVMe depends on chipset and bios? Would it be possible to integrate NVMe in older UEFIs? And what about the Mac Pro. It has Intel X58-chipset.
Only the ability to boot into an NVMe-SSD depends on the Chipset and the BIOS.
I think, that it is possible for all UEFI BIOSes.
An Intel X58 Chipset Mainboard doesn’t have an UEFI BIOS. So it will not work.
So Fernando,
Was wondering if you can please elaborate about some of the details such as which pci-e slot did you install the 750 into? Gen 1 or 2 board? Were you able to do a fresh os install on the drive as well or is it necessary to setup windows on the z97 system first? Lastly are you sure its stable and that the bus of an older system can handle the bandwidth with out getting write errors?
Thanks.
I have already answered this question (look >here<).
Although I haven’t tried to do a fresh OS installation onto the Intel 750 PCIe SSD while being inserted into my Z68 system, I am pretty sure, that it would have worked without any problem (either a drive is accepted by the BIOS as bootable or not). A previous OS installation by using another, natively NVMe supporting system should not be necessary.
During my tests the Intel 750 SSD booted and ran fine within my Z68 system, but I haven’t yet any long-term experiences with this special combination.
I was prepared for a failed test and I would have written something along this line: given the fact that you have a 6 series chipset mainboard and one lacking even basic EFI drivers like RAID and GOP, it would seem no strange that the NVMe drivers didn’t cooperate. But with your success, I would say that 7 and 8 series should have no problems with the right drivers extracted from a corresponding board. Especially Asus users are in luck. It is amusing that you, out of all the users, have proceeded to this simple test, when you already have a compatible board. I would expect now that the news will spread beyond this forum and everyone will forget where it started and who was that first brave user.
By the way, is it just me or the forum is now using german language?
@ lordkag:
Thanks for your statement.
I just recognized it myself. The hoster of this website had just updated the software and obviously mixed the languages.
I hope, that I can correct it very soon.
@lordkag
I’m back online (was a busy weekend).
Do you still want me to test Intel RST 12.7/12.9?
Do you think the NVMe EFI modules will fix >this< issue?
If you would be willing, yes. It is time to close this question for good. Just have 12.7/12.9 EFI drivers, controller in RAID mode, UEFI boot. I’m interested if the NVMe is still bootable. If your system wasn’t in UEFI mode (CSM disabled or EFI first), there is no need to run this test, as Legacy and NVMe don’t mix together.
Maybe. Or better yet find a working EFI/ROM RAID for your system. But the NVMe EFI drivers will certainly help your NVMe SSD, as you will have a direct support and not just the "fishnet" your board is using at this moment. Just find the closest related board to your system, which should be Z97 Extreme4. DO NOT use X99 files, as those boards are on AptioV. Be warned that I haven’t yet compared the Asrock NVMe implementations and I can’t provide the same info as I did for Asus.
so, for people wondering about bootability of the intel 750 i have good news
it boots fine on asus rampage iv formula (x79 chipset)
bios version: 5001-unmodified
in-bios setting of interest: fast boot-disabled csm-disabled
os tested: windows 8.1 / windows 10 build 10158
os installed via: usb created by media creation fool for windows 8.1 / rufus from iso image (destination select efi in dropdown list) for windows 10
benchmarks:
cheers
@ jimmytim:
Welcome at Win-RAID Forum and thanks for your interesting report.
Since there are 2 different models of the 400GB Intel 750 Series SSDs available (as 2.5 inch SSD or as Add-In PCIe card), I would like to know which one you have tested.
The fact, that you were able to boot the Intel 750 SSD without any NVMe modules within your mainboard BIOS, surprises me.
Comment: Only very few Intel 6- and C600-Series Chipset mainboards offer the BIOS option to completely disable CSM.
Regards
Dieter (alias Fernando)
I have the intel 750 400gb pcie hhhl card
This is NVMe support thread and I see one, two, three links with AHCI SM951. The first one seems like the appropriate place to talk about AHCI and SM951. I may have some ideas, but it requires a tester equipped with bravery and a backup method, like programmer or spare BIOS chip. Given the fact that from all the users who asked for NVMe, it was the one who needed the least that actually tested the proposed modding - Fernando, I won’t go into further details until a brave user assumes the position of tester, with all the risks and unwanted consequences.
To stay a little on topic, it would seem that NVMe is a better choice at this moment, not only for being future-proof, but also easier to implement/patch. It could be the M.2 specification (or rather the SATA Express interface) that prevents the proper functionality of the devices like XP941 and SM951 in older cards, considering that AHCI should be fully supported by now.
You are absolutely right. That is why I have moved the last posts regarding the AHCI model of the Samsung SM951 and parts of your post into >this< better matching thread.
@jimmytim
your cpu?
i have asus sabertooth x79 and i7 3930k … i’m going to by intel 750 ssd.
what about pci 3.0 ?
with your read speed over 2gb/s it should use pci 3.0 …