Best SSD for Z790 Motherboard

Intel’s latest Z790 chipset for 12th, 13th and 14th gen Intel Core processors offers a range of improvements over the previous Z690 chipset. With support for higher memory speeds, PCIe 5.0, and faster USB connectivity, the Z790 platform enables you to build a high-performance PC.

When paired with one of the latest blazing-fast SSDs, a Z790 system can provide an exceptional computing experience. But with so many SSD options on the market, how do you choose the right model for a Z790 build ? In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the best SSDs for Z790 motherboards currently available.

Key SSD Features for Z790

Here are some of the most important features and specs to look for when choosing an SSD for a Z790 motherboard:

• PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0 support: Z790 supports both PCIe 4.0 and the new PCIe 5.0 interconnect.PCIe 5.0 SSDs offer double the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0, future-proofing your build.
• Fast sequential read/write speeds: Look for SSDs with quoted sequential reads and writes of at least 5000MB/s to take full advantage of Z790’s capabilities.
• High endurance rating: Key for drives that will see heavy workloads. Look for SSDs with 1,200+ TBW (terabytes written) rating.
• Large capacity: With fast new games and expandable storage demands, a 1TB or higher capacity SSD is recommended.
• DRAM cache: SSDs with a DRAM cache provide faster access to frequently used data.

Best PCIe 5.0 SSD for Z790 Motherboard:

Corsair 2TB PCIe Gen5 NVMe SSD - High-Density TLC NAND - Aluminum Heatsink - DirectStorage Compatible - Up to 10,000MB/sec - PCIe Gen4 & Gen3 Backwards Compatible - Black

• Gen5 Performance Powered by NVMe 2.0: PCIe Gen5 x4 combines with the massively high-bandwidth NVMe 2.0 interface to unleash higher-speed data transfers and greater M.2 SSD performance than ever before.
• Your PC Made Faster: Load games, boot Windows, and manage large files with unprecedented speed, reaching up to 10,000MB/sec sequential read and 9,500MB/sec sequential write speeds. *Performance and endurance vary by capacity.
• High-Density 3D TLC NAND: Provides the ideal mix of performance and endurance to keep your drive performing at its best for years.
• Microsoft DirectStorage: Enables the MP700 to communicate directly with your graphics card when playing compatible games, for unbelievably fast load times. *DirectStorage requires a DirectX12 GPU with Shader Model 6.0 support.
• Backward Compatible: Support for PCIe Gen4 and Gen3 systems. *Reduced performance on PCIe Gen4 and Gen3.

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Crucial T700 1TB SSD with Heatsink, PCIe Gen5 NVMe SSD, Up to 11,700MB/s, TLC NAND, Intel & Ryzen Compatible, for Hardcore Gaming & High-Speed Storage, Solid State Drive – CT1000T700SSD5

• PCIe 5.0 Performance: Delivers up to 11,700MB/s read and 9,500MB/s write speeds for quicker game load times, bootups, and smooth multitasking
• Spacious 1TB Capacity: Store AAA titles, 8K+ video, and creative assets with blazing-fast Gen5 NVMe throughput
• Platform-Optimized Compatibility: Designed for Intel 13th/14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 7000 in M.2 Gen5 slots
• Integrated Heatsink Cooling: Built-in heatsink ensures silent, stable operation under heavy gaming sessions and advanced computing tasks
• Trusted Micron Quality: Engineered for tech enthusiasts and hardcore gamers with Micron TLC NAND and a 5-year warranty

$282.10

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Seagate FireCuda 540 SSD 2TB Internal Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 PCIe Gen5, speeds up to 10,000MB/s and 2000TB TBW, with Rescue Services (ZP2000GM3A004)

• FULL TILT SPEEDS Up to 10,000MB/s means the full power of PCIe Gen5 speeds are yours to wield.
• FASTER. FASTER. FASTER. Transfer speeds up to 50% faster than PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs and up to 17× faster than SATA SSDs.
• BUILT TO LAST Up to 2000TB TBW means you can rewrite up to 1TB of data every day, for five years (based on 2TB capacity).
• READY TO ROLL Plug-and-play compatibility with most PCIe Gen5 motherboards and backwards compatible with PCIe Gen4.
• WARRANTY Enjoy long-term peace of mind with three years of Rescue Data Recovery Services and a five-year limited warranty.

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Best PCIe 4.0 SSD for Z790 Motherboard:

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Samsung 990 PRO SSD 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P4T0B/AM

• MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance* with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
• REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
• THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND**: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s* you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0*** powering through for any use
• PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
• IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO****; It makes every move more effective with less consumption

$896.84

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WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB NVMe SSD - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS400T2X0E

• TRANFORM YOUR PC: Insane speeds up to 7,300MB/s (1TB - 4TB models) deliver top-tier performance with ridiculously short load times for your gaming PC or workstation — for the elite experience you’ve been waiting for.
• MORE ROOM FOR MORE GAMES: Capacities up to 8TB built with SANDISK TLC 3D NAND, means you get to keep more games at the ready — and get into the action even faster.
• HEATSINK FOR THE WIN: The WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB and 2TB drives have an optional heatsink version that not only looks awesome but also helps your rig maintain peak performance through the most intense gaming sessions.
• DO MORE WITH WD_BLACK DASHBOARD: The downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) monitors your drive’s health, lets you customize your RGB lighting, and, exclusively on the SN850X SSD, enables Game Mode 2.0 to transform your gaming experience.
• FUTURE FORWARD FREATURES: The WD_BLACK SN850X SSD boasts a powerful suite of features, including Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, and Adaptive Thermal Management (ATM).

$669.99

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SABRENT 1TB Rocket 4 Plus NVMe 4.0 Gen4 PCIe M.2 Internal SSD Extreme Performance Solid State Drive (Latest Version) (SB-RKT4P-1TB)

• NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 x4 Interface. PCIe 4.0 Compliant / NVMe 1.3 Compliant.
• Power Management Support for APST / ASPM / L1.2.
• Supports SMART and TRIM commands. Supports ONFi 2.3, ONFi 3.0, ONFi 3.2 and ONFi 4.0 interface.
• Advanced Wear Leveling, Bad Block Management, Error Correction Code, and Over-Provision.
• All Sabrent SSDs come with FREE Sabrent Acronis True Image for Sabrent Software for easy Cloning. For those who require a specific sector size to clone their existing SSDs: A newly released Sabrent utility enables users to re-format the Rocket drive and choose the sector size of their liking, either 512-bytes or 4K bytes.

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SK hynix Platinum P41 1TB PCIe NVMe Gen4 M.2 2280 Internal Gaming SSD, Up to 7,000MB/S, Compact M.2 Form Factor - Internal Solid State Drive with 176-Layer NAND Flash

• Top-tier performance – Read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,500 MB/s with proprietary SK hynix HYPERWRITE cache technology
• Pioneering power efficiency – next-tier power efficiency that keeps your system running smoother than ever
• 5-year warranty, superior reliability and stability – Tested and validated through 1,000 hours of HTOL (Stress Test) with MTBF reaching 1.5 million hours, up to 1,200 TBW (TeraBytes Written)
• Premium SSD powered by the global top-tier memory manufacturer, a tech leader since 1983
• Easy installation across multiple devices, pairing with our custom SK hynix edition Macrium cloning software

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Conclusion:

With the launch of Intel’s Z790 chipset and next-gen CPUs, upgrading to a fast PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0 SSD is essential to maximize performance. Top PCIe 5.0 models like the Corsair MP700, Crucial T700, and Seagate FireCuda 540 provide future-proofed bandwidth with sequential speeds beyond 10,000MB/s. For more affordable PCIe 4.0 options, the Samsung 990 Pro, WD_Black SN850X, and Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus all deliver excellent speeds up to 7,500MB/s. With high endurance ratings and large DRAM caches, these SSDs can handle intensive workloads. For optimal performance, match the SSD’s specs to your specific CPU and workload demands. With Z790 supporting next-gen storage and connectivity, investing in a high-speed PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0 SSD will let your system fly and fully utilize the platform’s capabilities.