Top 5 SSDs for Faster Boot and Load Times

Do you want an SSD that delivers blazing-fast transfer and boot speeds? Well, say no more. Here are some of the best SSDs on the market.

High-performance SSDs (Image via SAMSUNG | TEAMGROUP | Western Digital)
High-performance SSDs (Image via SAMSUNG | TEAMGROUP | Western Digital)

If you want your computer to boot in seconds or your game to load instantly, you need a Solid State Drive (SSD). Or maybe you want faster data transfer speeds. Whatever the case may be, you need an SSD. The faster the drive is, the quicker your games will load. PCIe Gen 5 and Gen 4 drives offer the kind of performance you are looking for, but they can be much more expensive than standard PCIe Gen 3 SSDs.

While DirectStorage technology works with PCIe Gen 3 drives, the much faster Gen 4 and Gen 5 drives are recommended for better performance. In this article, we are sharing some of the best SSDs you should buy to achieve faster boot times, load times, and transfer speeds.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer’s opinions. Also, prices mentioned herein are subject to change.

What Are the Top SSDs for Faster Boot and Load Times?

1) Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB SSD

Samsung SSD 9100 PRO
Samsung 9100 PRO (Image via SAMSUNG)

Price: $239.99

The Samsung 9100 PRO is an absolute beast when it comes to raw performance. It can reach up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s read/write speeds, courtesy of being a PCIe Gen 5 drive. This level of speed is simply amazing and also future-proofs it. Such speeds are exactly what users who work in the AI industry need. It is perfect for training large language AI models.

If pricing is not an issue, go with it without a second thought. Just make sure to use a thermal heatsink for the best results. Such heatsinks are included in high-end motherboards.

SpecificationsDetails
Speed (Read/Write)14,700/13,400 MB/s
Capacities2TB
NAND TypeTLC
DRAM2GB LPDDR4X cache
Endurance1200 TBW
Warranty5 years

2) TEAMGROUP T-Force G50 4TB SSD

TEAMGROUP T-Force G50
TEAMGROUP T-Force G50 (Image via TEAMGROUP)

Price: $199.99

The TEAMGROUP T-Force G50 is a PCIe Gen 4 SSD that offers decent transfer speeds. However, what is special about this drive is not its speed but its capacity. This is a 4TB SSD, which is available for the price of a 2TB drive. If storage capacity is more important to you than raw speed, then this is the drive you want.

It has an endurance of 2600 TBW, so its lifespan is much longer than any other drive on this list. The only caveat is that it is a DRAM-less SSD, so it cannot deliver sustained performance for as long as other drives at the same price point.

SpecificationsDetails
Speed (Read/Write)5,000/4,800 MB/s
Capacities4TB
NAND TypeTLC
DRAM
Endurance2600 TBW
Warranty5 years

3) Samsung 990 PRO 2TB SSD

Samsung 990 PRO
Samsung 990 PRO (Image via Samsung)

Price: $149.99

If you want amazing speeds without burning a hole in your wallet, then the Samsung 990 PRO is the one to buy. It is under $150, yet it offers 7,450/6,900 MB/s read/write speeds, which is quite fast. In fact, it is one of the fastest PCIe Gen 4 SSDs. The Samsung 990 PRO is also equipped with a blazing-fast 2GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which is used as a cache along with an SLC cache to sustain high-performance speeds for much longer.

SpecificationsDetails
Speed (Read/Write)7,450/6,900 MB/s
Capacities2TB
NAND TypeTLC
DRAM2GB LPDDR4 cache
Endurance1200 TBW
Warranty5 years

4) WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB SSD

WD_BLACK SN7100
WD_BLACK SN7100 (Image via Western Digital)

Price: $139

The WD_BLACK SN7100 is just as good as the Samsung 990 PRO but comes at a cheaper price. Western Digital went with a DRAM-less system to make this SSD more affordable. The lack of DRAM doesn’t affect gaming at all. You will only notice it when transferring large data from this SSD to another drive. The lack of DRAM makes it impossible to sustain high speeds for long periods. For gamers, that won’t be an issue. Therefore, you can choose this over the Samsung 990 PRO if you are on a limited budget.

SpecificationsDetails
Speed (Read/Write)7,250/6,900 MB/s
Capacities2TB
NAND TypeTLC
DRAM
Endurance1200 TBW
Warranty5 years

5) Samsung 990 EVO 2TB SSD

Samsung 990 EVO
Samsung 990 EVO (Image via Samsung)

Price: $129.99

The Samsung 990 EVO is a budget SSD that can deliver decent PCIe Gen 4 speeds at a lower price point. It is available for under $130, yet it can reach up to 5,000/4,200 MB/s read/write speeds, which should be more than enough for most people. It is also a DRAM-less SSD, but that is expected at this price point. The Samsung 990 EVO is fully compatible with PS5 and PS5 Pro, and there won’t be any issues.

SpecificationsDetails
Speed (Read/Write)5,000/4,200 MB/s
Capacities2TB
NAND TypeTLC
DRAM
Endurance1200 TBW
Warranty5 years

Final Thoughts

The Samsung 9100 PRO is the fastest SSD on this list and also the most expensive. The Samsung 990 PRO holds the middle ground, as it offers a better price-to-performance ratio. However, if you want something on a budget, the WD_BLACK SN7100 is also a great option.


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