25/02/2026 8:55 am
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Hey guys! I am currently planning a high-end build around an Intel Core i9-14900K and a Z790 motherboard, and I am obsessed with getting the absolute fastest boot times possible. Right now, I am still rocking an older SATA drive on my current setup, and waiting those extra seconds for Windows 11 to load is starting to drive me crazy.
I have been looking at a few different options, but the marketing jargon is getting a bit confusing. I have specifically been eye-balling:
- The Samsung 990 Pro
- The Crucial T700 Gen5 NVMe
- Western Digital Black SN850X
While these drives all have crazy high sequential read speeds, I have heard that random 4K read speeds and specific controller optimizations for Intel chips actually matter more for that initial splash screen to desktop transition. I want something that feels instantaneous the moment I hit the power button. Since I am investing a lot into this Intel refresh, I do not want the storage to be the bottleneck.
Does anyone have experience with which of these Gen4 or Gen5 drives actually delivers the snappiest cold boot and wake-from-sleep performance? Which SSD offers the fastest boot times for Intel processors?
7 Answers
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25/02/2026 9:30 am
Coming back to this, Im a little wary of chasing those max Gen5 speeds because of heat issues. Tbh, Id rather have something that just works safely. I disagree that you need the absolute top-tier speed for a stable build. Try looking at the Seagate FireCuda 530 2TB NVMe SSD. It has much higher endurance ratings, which is way better for long-term safety.
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25/02/2026 9:30 am
Just found this thread. If youre worried about long-term reliability, check out the SK hynix Platinum P41 2TB NVMe Gen4. Its super stable on Intel boards and stays way cooler than Gen5 stuff. Honestly, most boot lag is actually BIOS post times. Id suggest looking at the StorageReview database for their 4K random read charts before jumping on the Gen5 hype... those drives run really hot.
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25/02/2026 8:56 am
Honestly, Ive tried the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB PCIe Gen4 and the Western Digital Black SN850X 2TB NVMe. While Gen5 sounds cool, you wont see a real difference in boot times. I recommend the SN850X since its cheaper and just as fast in real-world scenarios. Just a heads up, your Z790 board will spend more time on memory training than the SSD spends loading Windows anyway...
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25/02/2026 9:20 am
Tbh I totally agree with the point about BIOS POST times being the real bottleneck. You could throw a Crucial T705 2TB PCIe Gen5 NVMe in there, but it costs a fortune and wont feel faster than a Solidigm P44 Pro 2TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 during a cold boot. The Solidigm has insane random read speeds which is what actually matters for loading Windows. Save your money and stick to high-end Gen4 for now.
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28/02/2026 11:00 am
Did this last week, worked perfectly
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24/03/2026 8:15 am
Re: "Did this last week, worked perfectly"
- I'm honestly very satisfied with how the latest Intel RST drivers handle NVMe overhead. If you want that instant feel, you gotta look at low-queue depth random read latency specs rather than the big sequential numbers they put on the box. Speaking of the build process tho, I spent all of yesterday morning just trying to cable manage my new workstation. I got these custom silicone cables and theyre so soft but a total nightmare to keep straight. I actually ended up using tiny clear zip ties I found in my junk drawer from a model kit I built five years ago. My desk is a complete disaster zone right now with screwdrivers and thermal paste tubes everywhere... I even found an old mechanical keyboard switch under my chair that I thought I lost months ago. Anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there. TL;DR: Focus on random 4K read speeds at QD1 for the fastest OS feel.
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26/03/2026 4:15 am
TIL! Thanks for sharing
