using Windows 7. Since OFA driver does not work (bootloop) i would like to try the generic Intel RST Driver. Downloaded it from https://downloadcenter.intel.com/downloa…n-Platforms?v=t However when trying to import it in device manager by pointing to folder which contains iaStorAC.cat/inf/sys Windows just shows a message "there is no compatible driver. if folder contains a driver make sure that it can be used with Windows for x64-based systems"
Where can I download and How can I use a universal Intel NVME driver for win 7??
@godmodeUser23 : This is the way how you get any generic Intel RST NVMe driver v16.x.x.xxxx installed: 1. Run the Device Manager and expand the “Storage Controllers” section. 2. Right-click onto the listed NVMe Controller (no matter which exact name it has) and choose the options “Update driver software” > “Browse my computer…” > “Let me pick…” > Have Disk". 3. Navigate to the folder, which contains the desired driver files, and double-click onto the file named iaStorAC.inf. 4. Since 2 different Controllers named “Intel(R) Chipset SATA/PCIe RST Premium Controller” and “Intel(R) NVMe Controller” are managed by the related driver, you will be asked, which of them you want to get supported. 5. Choose the “Intel(R) NVMe Controller” and disregard the warning, that the driver may not support your device. 6. The driver will be installed automaticly and will be used by the NVMe Controller after the next reboot.
Any explanation or solution why NVMe drive is detected with Microsoft Driver/Hotfix but S.M.A.R.T. and temperature data is not shown under Windows 7? Its interesting to say that even smartmontools under Linux do not show this data, but when using terminal under linux it shows it.
@godmodeUser: You are right - the related data of NVMe disk drives are only available while running Win8/8.1 or Win10. It is up to Microsoft to implement the related option into its NVMe Hotfix for Windows 7.
The availability of the new Samsung NVMe drivers v3.2.0.1910 was the opportunity for me to do some new NVMe benchmark comparison tests with my Z170 chipset desktop system. OS: freshly installed Win10 x64 Pro v20H1 Build 19013 (latest Insider Preview Build) NMe SSD: 250 GB Samsung 970 EVO, PCIe connected via Adapter, running as bootable system drive Tested NVMe drivers:
MS in-box NVMe driver v10.0.19013.1 dated 10/26/2019 (misleadingly showned as being dated 06/21/2006)
Samsung NVMe driver v3.1.0.1901 WHQL for Win10 x64 dated 01/17/2019
Samsung NVMe driver v3.2.0.1910 WHQL for Win10 x64 dated 09/19/2019
OpenFabrics Alliance (OFA) NVMe driver v1.5.0.0 dated 04/07/2017, mod+signed by me on 02/20/2019
Intel RST NVMe driver v16.8.3.1003 WHQL dated 07/15/2019 (installation had to be forced due to the not matching VendorID)
Intel RST NVMe driver v17.5.3.1026 WHQL dated 07/23/2019 (installation had to be forced due to the not matching VendorID)
Intel RST NVMe driver v17.7.0.1006 WHQL dated 08/07/2019 (installation had to be forced due to the not matching VendorID)
Here are the results I got: (picture sizes can be enhanced by clicking onto them)
1. MS Win10 in-box NVMe driver:
2. Samsung NVMe driver v3.1.0.1901 WHQL:
3. Samsung NVMe driver v3.2.0.1910 WQHL:
4. OFA NVMe driver v1.5.0.0 mod+signed by me: [[File:Z170-250GB970EVO-NVMe-OFA1500mod+signed-PCIe-20H1.png|none|auto]]
@Fernando Please excuse me if this has already been addressed but I noticed that the first post has the following info in the benchmarks: "b) Specific Samsung NVMe driver v3.0.0.1802 WHQL:" However, as per your previous post [109] you mention v3.2.0.1910. Have you tested v3.2.0.1910 ? If so will you be adding the info to the first post?
@vmanuelgm : Users of an NVMe SSD, whose manufacturer doesn’t offer a specific driver for the on-board NVMe Controller, have to use a generic NVMe driver (without mentioning a specific DeviceID within the related INF file). These are the options: 1. Microsoft’s in-box NVMe drivers (for Win8.1 or Win10) resp. the MS NVMe Hotfix for Win7 2. OpenFabrics Alliance’s NVMe drivers (the original drivers are not digitally signed, but I am offering >here< mod+signed OFA drivers v1.5.0.0, which are even better performant than the generic MS ones) 3. Intel’s RST NVMe drivers from the v16 or v17 platform (the installation has to be forced by using the “Have Disk” button and choosing the file named iaStorAC.inf).
