Are there any Samsung PM961 Drivers?

joshcraig · Sep 3, 2016

I've just "upgraded" to a Samsung PM961 Polaris SSD but the generic Z170 chipset driver does not seem to work very well. Does anyone know a way around this since Samsung Magician software doesn't even recognise it as a Samsung device?

joshcraig · Sep 15, 2016

The drivers for Samsung OEM drives are on the Samsung Enterprise website.

Ravipe · Sep 24, 2016

joshcraig :

Maybe I am too dumb but do you mind pointing out where exactly the PM961 driver is located?

joshcraig · Sep 24, 2016

Ravipe :

Go to the Samsung Website and click on Business and then support. Click on Others and select SSD. In the "Model Name" column scroll down to find NVMe drivers. Select the model you need and click Select. This will take you to the download page. Hope this helps.

Ravipe · Sep 24, 2016

joshcraig :

Ravipe :

Go to the Samsung Website and click on Business and then support. Click on Others and select SSD. In the "Model Name" column scroll down to find NVMe drivers. Select the model you need and click Select. This will take you to the download page. Hope this helps.

Yea I got that part but couldn't find PM961 on the list (not even the 960 evo, which is supposed to be consumer version of it)....

joshcraig · Sep 24, 2016

Ravipe :

joshcraig :

Yea I got that part but couldn't find PM961 on the list (not even the 960 evo, which is supposed to be consumer version of it)....

You're absolutely correct. I've just accessed it myself and the list is different to when I last checked. Sorry!

Nine Layer Nige · Oct 16, 2016

I think the PM961 is an OEM only SSD and not retail so all you get is the hardware and use the Windows 10 NVME drivers.
I too have the PM961 (256GB) (£83 bought from Novatech UK on 12th Nov 2016) and would like to compare my performance to another user here.
I downloaded Samsung Magician software which contains a Performance Benchmarking tool.
My PM961 scored 877MB/s Sequential Read, 755 MB/s Sequential Write, 156196 Random Read IOPS, 126623 Random Write IOPS.
This is massively under the advertised specs.
The Samsung tool does not think that the PM961 is a Samsung drive as the other features of the tool are disabled.

I also ran CrystalDiskMark 5.2.0 x64 with the following results.
Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 895.858 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 782.300 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 659.611 MB/s [161037.8 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 529.460 MB/s [129262.7 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 719.160 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 638.629 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 49.619 MB/s [ 12114.0 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 153.715 MB/s [ 37528.1 IOPS]

Date : 2016/10/15 17:08:20
OS : Windows 10 [10.0 Build 14393] (x64)

Comments welcome...
Thanks

joshcraig · Oct 16, 2016

Looking on the Samsung Semiconductor website I found a Samsung NVMe driver which has worked a treat! Trouble is I can't find it again. If you have a suitable anonymous email address I will be glad to forward you a copy.

OliverOtt · Oct 19, 2016

joshcraig :

Please also forward a copy to me:

Thank you!

StanislawPac · Oct 21, 2016

I also got the pm961 and haven't installed any drivers (couldn't found them). But the tests are way beyond expectations:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 5.2.0 x64 (UWP) (C) 2007-2016 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 bytes/s [SATA/600 = 600,000,000 bytes/s]
* KB = 1000 bytes, KiB = 1024 bytes

Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 3329.793 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 1400.804 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 576.540 MB/s [140756.8 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 484.630 MB/s [118317.9 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 1785.858 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 1390.641 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 43.916 MB/s [ 10721.7 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 166.213 MB/s [ 40579.3 IOPS]

Test : 1024 MiB [C: 17.7% (42.2/238.0 GiB)] (x5) [Interval=5 sec]
Date : 2016/10/22 2:19:38
OS : Windows 10 Professional [10.0 Build 14393] (x64)

joshcraig · Oct 21, 2016

Your numbers are good but if you want to try the Samsung NVMe driver you can download it here:-
http://www107.zippyshare.com/v/m4T3124R/file.html

Nine Layer Nige · Oct 22, 2016

joshcraig,
The website your link points too is unsafe.
Windows smart shield stopped it, so I used Linux to follow the link and the download link points to sites other than a zip file. It has a spoof "your windows has been infected" trap.

After clicking for a third time on the download link, I was then able to download the zip file.

Just thought I would let you know.

joshcraig · Oct 22, 2016

Thanks, Nige. Apparently the link only works properly the first time it's clicked on. Seems a bit dodgy to me but that's what the fellow asked for!
John

Danoz0r · Oct 28, 2016

Just got the pm961 myself, cant find driver anywhere.

The test is with standard windows driver. is the speed ok?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 5.2.0 x64 (C) 2007-2016 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 bytes/s [SATA/600 = 600,000,000 bytes/s]
* KB = 1000 bytes, KiB = 1024 bytes

Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 3217.596 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 1381.743 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 699.182 MB/s [170698.7 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 582.806 MB/s [142286.6 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 1442.851 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 681.625 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 42.493 MB/s [ 10374.3 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 198.492 MB/s [ 48460.0 IOPS]

Test : 1024 MiB [C: 26.6% (63.2/237.9 GiB)] (x5) [Interval=5 sec]
Date : 2016/10/28 15:10:41
OS : Windows 10 Professional [10.0 Build 14393] (x64)

joshcraig · Oct 28, 2016

Danoz0r :

Just got the pm961 myself, cant find driver anywhere.

The test is with standard windows driver. is the speed ok?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 5.2.0 x64 (C) 2007-2016 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 bytes/s [SATA/600 = 600,000,000 bytes/s]
* KB = 1000 bytes, KiB = 1024 bytes

Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 3217.596 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 1381.743 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 699.182 MB/s [170698.7 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 582.806 MB/s [142286.6 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 1442.851 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 681.625 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 42.493 MB/s [ 10374.3 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 198.492 MB/s [ 48460.0 IOPS]

Test : 1024 MiB [C: 26.6% (63.2/237.9 GiB)] (x5) [Interval=5 sec]
Date : 2016/10/28 15:10:41
OS : Windows 10 Professional [10.0 Build 14393] (x64)

joshcraig · Oct 28, 2016

Yep, your numbers look fine. Mine are not much different!

Mento · Nov 9, 2016

That's my numbers

Above expectations... (with standard driver over a Sabertooth X99 with i7 6800 3.8 & 32GB 3200 Quadchannel)

Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 3458.345 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 1421.930 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 433.732 MB/s [105891.6 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 382.986 MB/s [ 93502.4 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 2183.076 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 1423.750 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 48.172 MB/s [ 11760.7 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 166.095 MB/s [ 40550.5 IOPS]

Test : 1024 MiB [J: 0.1% (0.1/238.3 GiB)] (x4) [Interval=5 sec]
Date : 2016/11/09 16:54:41
OS : Windows 10 Enterprise N [10.0 Build 14393] (x64)

joshcraig · Nov 9, 2016

Your numbers are slightly better than mine! Looking good!

caxio21 · Nov 18, 2016

Samsung NVMe drivers:
new: "pure" 32/64bit Samsung NVMe Drivers v2.0.0.1607 WHQL dated 10/10/2016
new: Samsung NVMe Driver Installer Set v2.0.0.1607 WHQL

Thanks to Guru3D for the source package, to NIK1 for the info and to tistou77 for the extraction of the pure drivers.
Notes:
The included 32/64bit Samsung NVMe drivers are dated 10/10/2016, WHQL certified by Microsoft and seem to be usable with all Windows Operating Systems from Win7 up.
Contrary to the older v2.4.7.0 ones these NVMe drivers do not contain an additional SCSI filter driver.
Similar to the v2.4.7.0 drivers these newer ones do support the Samsung NVMe Controllers with the DeviceIDs DEV_A802 and DEV_A804, which are within Samsung's most popular consumer NVMe SSDs like SM951, SM961, SM961 SED, PM961 and 950 Pro SSDs.

here:
https://onedrive.live.com/?id=5014229B9E752333%2130939&cid=5014229B9E752333

Nine Layer Nige · Nov 18, 2016

Ive downloaded the rar files and extracted them. What do I do now ?
There are several EXE files within the extracted folders, so which one do I run ?
Is it Samsung_NVMeDriver_2.0.exe ?

Just asking before I break my system.
Thanks

caxio21 · Nov 18, 2016

Nine Layer Nige :

i have used the samsung installer and now my nvme pm961 256gb is installed whit a Samsung NVMe drivers v2.0.0.1607

Ravipe · Nov 20, 2016

Using the new drivers provided on the link above (v2.0.0.1607):

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 5.2.0 Shizuku Edition x64 (UWP) (C) 2007-2016 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 bytes/s [SATA/600 = 600,000,000 bytes/s]
* KB = 1000 bytes, KiB = 1024 bytes

Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 3178.791 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 1206.111 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 849.381 MB/s [207368.4 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 776.451 MB/s [189563.2 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 1355.520 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 1183.570 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 45.273 MB/s [ 11053.0 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 240.913 MB/s [ 58816.7 IOPS]

Test : 1024 MiB [C: 30.5% (72.6/237.9 GiB)] (x5) [Interval=5 sec]
Date : 2016/11/20 11:35:50
OS : Windows 10 Professional [10.0 Build 14393] (x64)

Nine Layer Nige · Nov 20, 2016

Thanks, looking good !
Yeah, I ran the Samsung_NVMeDriver_2.0.exe and rebooted the pc.
In device Manager/Storage Controllers/Samsung NMVe Controller/ Driver Version = 2.0.0.1607 dated 10/10/2016
However, under Disk Drives/SAMSUNG MZVLW256HEHP-00000 / Driver version is Microsoft 10.0.14393.0 dated 21/06/2006
Question: Should the later one also be the Samsung driver ?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 5.2.0 x64 (C) 2007-2016 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 bytes/s [SATA/600 = 600,000,000 bytes/s]
* KB = 1000 bytes, KiB = 1024 bytes

Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 3347.229 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 1372.366 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 708.128 MB/s [172882.8 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 587.944 MB/s [143541.0 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 1581.560 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 1286.090 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 51.758 MB/s [ 12636.2 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 220.738 MB/s [ 53891.1 IOPS]

Test : 1024 MiB [C: 30.1% (71.6/237.9 GiB)] (x2) [Interval=5 sec]
Date : 2016/11/20 12:11:23
OS : Windows 10 [10.0 Build 14393] (x64)

jerry01_01 · Dec 11, 2016

Just want to share. I am using ThinkPad X1 Yoga. I7-6600U, 16GB RAM. After using the driver of "Samsung NVMe Driver Installer Set v2.0.0.1607 WHQL", the performance is as follows and the readings of using the driver provided by Windows are in the bracket. If my understanding is correct, the improvement is huge!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 5.2.0 x64 (C) 2007-2016 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* MB/s = 1,000,000 bytes/s [SATA/600 = 600,000,000 bytes/s]
* KB = 1000 bytes, KiB = 1024 bytes

Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 2466.052 (1999) MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 1124.494 (1101) MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 401.212 (93.25) MB/s [ 97952.1 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 369.145 (67.88) MB/s [ 90123.3 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 1092.522 (1040) MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 1111.216 (1029) MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 35.633 (22.59) MB/s [ 8699.5 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 179.585 (54.60) MB/s [ 43844.0 IOPS]

Test : 1024 MiB [C: 25.1% (239.4/952.6 GiB)] (x5) [Interval=5 sec]
Date : 2016/12/12 0:55:10
OS : Windows 10 Professional [10.0 Build 14393] (x64)

Are there any Samsung PM961 Drivers?

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