The OCZ RevoDrive series represented a significant step forward in solid-state drive (SSD) technology, designed to overcome the limitations of the then-prevalent SATA II interface. This article provides an overview of the RevoDrive and RevoDrive X2, focusing on their features, benefits, and the importance of the correct drivers for optimal performance on 32-bit Windows operating systems.
Understanding the OCZ RevoDrive and RevoDrive X2
The OCZ RevoDrive and its successor, the RevoDrive X2, were groundbreaking PCI-Express (PCI-E) based SSDs aimed at consumers who demanded high performance. These drives were particularly appealing to gamers, video editors, and other users who regularly worked with large files and performance-intensive applications.
One of the key innovations of the RevoDrive series was its departure from the traditional SATA interface. SATA II, while widely adopted, presented a bottleneck that limited the potential speeds of early SSD technology. By utilizing the PCI-E interface, the RevoDrive could achieve significantly higher data transfer rates, resulting in faster boot times, application loading, and overall system responsiveness.
The original OCZ RevoDrive was designed to offer a balance of performance and affordability. It catered to a wide range of computing environments, from everyday tasks to more demanding video editing and multimedia creation. The RevoDrive X2, on the other hand, built upon this foundation with even greater performance capabilities.
Key Features and Benefits
The OCZ RevoDrive series offered several compelling advantages over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs):
- PCI-E Interface: Bypassing the SATA II bottleneck, the PCI-E interface allowed for much faster read and write speeds. The original RevoDrive boasted read speeds of up to 540MB/s and random 4k write speeds of up to 75,000 IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second). These speeds translated to noticeable improvements in system responsiveness.
- Enhanced Performance: The higher speeds facilitated quicker boot times, faster application loading, and smoother multitasking. Gamers, in particular, benefited from reduced loading times in games and improved overall gameplay experience.
- Cooler and Quieter Operation: Unlike HDDs, SSDs have no moving parts. This resulted in significantly quieter operation and lower heat generation. The RevoDrive contributed to a cooler and quieter PC environment.
- Energy Efficiency: The absence of moving parts also meant that SSDs consumed less power than HDDs, leading to improved energy efficiency.
- Bootable Drive: The RevoDrive was designed to be a bootable drive, meaning that the operating system could be installed directly onto it. This allowed users to take full advantage of the drive’s speed for faster system startup.
- Capacities: The RevoDrive was available in various capacities, providing ample storage space for operating systems, applications, games, and other data.
- Reliability: The RevoDrive series came with a 3-year warranty and a 2 million hour Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) rating, indicating a high level of reliability.
The Importance of the Correct Drivers
To ensure optimal performance and compatibility, it was crucial to install the correct drivers for the OCZ RevoDrive on your Windows 32-bit system. Drivers are software programs that allow the operating system to communicate with the hardware. Without the correct drivers, the RevoDrive might not function properly, or its performance might be significantly degraded.
The drivers provided by OCZ were specifically designed to enable the RevoDrive to operate at its full potential on Windows 32-bit systems. These drivers ensured that the operating system could properly recognize and utilize the drive’s advanced features, such as its PCI-E interface and high read/write speeds.
Downloading the Drivers
Here are some resources to download the OCZ RevoDrive and RevoDrive X2 Driver for Windows 32-bit:
Driver Download Link:
Focusing on both performance and affordability for consumers, the RevoDrive PCI-Express SSD is designed to accommodate a wide range of computing environments beyond everyday use to video-editing and other multi-media creation and management applications.
Moving beyond the bottleneck of SATA II, the RevoDrive features a PCI-E interface to deliver superior speeds up to 540MB/s reads and random 4k writes up to 75,000 IOPS. Designed for high-performance gaming PCs, the bootable RevoDrive has the unique capability to run both Windows and your essential applications and games to not only provides a more responsive PC experience, but promote a cooler, quieter, and more energy efficient conditions compared to traditional mechanical hard drives.
RevoDrive is available in extensive capacities to offer extensive space for the latest operating systems, game titles, and applications for snappier boot and load times. The RevoDrive series comes backed with a 3-year warranty and ultra-reliable 2 million hour mean time between failure (MTBF) rating.
Alternative Download Link:
Since OCZ is now part of Toshiba, finding direct downloads from the original OCZ website might be challenging. However, driver repositories and enthusiast forums often archive these drivers. A reliable source is often archive.org, where you can search for "OCZ RevoDrive drivers" to find archived versions. Always exercise caution when downloading drivers from unofficial sources, and ensure you have a reputable antivirus program installed.
Installing the Drivers
The installation process for the RevoDrive drivers typically involved the following steps:
- Download the Driver Package: Download the appropriate driver package for your specific RevoDrive model and Windows 32-bit operating system.
- Extract the Driver Files: Extract the contents of the downloaded driver package to a folder on your computer.
- Open Device Manager: Open the Device Manager in Windows. You can do this by searching for "Device Manager" in the Start menu.
- Locate the RevoDrive: In Device Manager, locate the RevoDrive. It might be listed under "Storage controllers" or "Other devices" with a generic name (e.g., "PCI device").
- Update Driver Software: Right-click on the RevoDrive and select "Update driver software."
- Browse My Computer: Choose the option to "Browse my computer for driver software."
- Specify Driver Location: Browse to the folder where you extracted the driver files and select the appropriate .inf file.
- Follow On-Screen Instructions: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation.
- Restart Your Computer: After the driver installation is complete, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.
Conclusion
The OCZ RevoDrive and RevoDrive X2 represented a significant advancement in SSD technology, offering significantly improved performance compared to traditional SATA-based drives. By utilizing the PCI-E interface, these drives delivered faster boot times, application loading, and overall system responsiveness. To ensure optimal performance and compatibility, it was essential to install the correct drivers for the RevoDrive on your Windows 32-bit system. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can maximize the potential of your RevoDrive and enjoy a faster and more responsive computing experience.