In terms of system performance, which type of storage is faster?

The correct answer is based on the fundamental differences in technology and functioning between the storage types. Solid State Drives (SSDs) use flash memory to store data, which allows for much faster read and write speeds compared to Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), which rely on spinning magnetic disks and read/write heads. The lack of moving parts in SSDs contributes to their speed, as they can access data almost instantly.

Moreover, SSDs have faster boot times and allow for quicker file transfers, which significantly enhances overall system performance. In comparison, while Read-Only Memory (ROM) is used primarily for firmware storage, it does not serve the same purpose as a primary storage device and is not designed for speed in the same context as SSDs and HDDs. Additionally, Parallel ATA (PATA) is an older type of interface used for connecting storage devices, and though it pertains to the technology of HDDs, it does not itself define the speed of data access and transfer.

Thus, when discussing system performance in terms of speed, SSD stands out as the superior option due to its technological design and operational principles.