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Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 Review: A Speed Demon for Gamers and Creators
If you're in the market for a high-performance SSD that delivers blazing-fast speeds, the Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 is a top contender. Designed for gamers, creators, and tech enthusiasts, this SSD boasts read speeds of up to 7400MB/s and write speeds of up to 6500MB/s, making it one of the fastest drives in its class. With features like PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe technology, Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0, and PS5 compatibility, this SSD is built to handle demanding tasks with ease.
But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
One of the standout features of the Lexar NM790 is its incredible speed. Customers have praised its ability to handle large file transfers and gaming loads effortlessly.
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Pros
- Lightning-Fast Speeds
Many users reported that the SSD delivers on its promise of 7400MB/s read and 6500MB/s write speeds. One customer mentioned transferring 156GB of data in just 65 seconds, which is impressive. - PS5 Compatibility
Gamers love how easy it is to install and use this SSD with their PlayStation 5. It’s a game-changer for those who want to expand their storage without sacrificing load times. - CrystalDiskMark Results
Even when filled to 56% capacity, the drive maintained excellent performance, matching or even outperforming more expensive competitors like the Samsung 980 Pro.
- Lightning-Fast Speeds
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Cons
- Heat Management
Some users noted that the drive runs warm, especially under heavy workloads. One customer reported idle temperatures in the 50°C range, which could be a concern for those with limited cooling solutions.
- Heat Management
Durability and Longevity
The Lexar NM790 is built to last, with a 1000TBW endurance rating and a five-year limited warranty. But how does it hold up in real-world use?
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Pros
- Reliable Performance
After six months of heavy use, one customer reported no noticeable drop in speed or health, even after writing over 3TB of data. - TLC NAND Flash
Unlike cheaper QLC drives, the NM790 uses TLC NAND, which offers better longevity and performance under heavy workloads.
- Reliable Performance
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Cons
- Uncertain Brand Future
Some users expressed concerns about Lexar’s recent ownership changes and whether the brand’s reputation for reliability will hold.
- Uncertain Brand Future
Usability and Installation
Ease of use is a big selling point for the Lexar NM790, especially for those upgrading their PS5 or laptop storage.
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Pros
- Easy Installation
Customers found the installation process straightforward, with the PS5 and laptops recognizing the drive immediately. - Single-Sided Design
The compact, single-sided design makes it ideal for laptops and space-constrained systems.
- Easy Installation
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Cons
- Heatsink Recommended
While the drive works well without a heatsink, users noted that adding one can significantly improve thermal performance.
- Heatsink Recommended
Value for Money
At its price point, the Lexar NM790 offers exceptional value, especially when compared to higher-end brands like Samsung.
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Pros
- Affordable Performance
Many customers praised the drive for delivering top-tier performance at a fraction of the cost of competitors. - 4TB Option
The availability of a 4TB model at a competitive price was a major win for users needing massive storage.
- Affordable Performance
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Cons
- Price Fluctuations
Some users mentioned that prices have increased over time, making it slightly less of a bargain than it once was.
- Price Fluctuations
Conclusion: Is the Lexar NM790 Worth It?
The Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 is a powerhouse of a drive that delivers on its promises of speed, reliability, and versatility. Whether you're a gamer looking to upgrade your PS5 storage or a creator needing fast access to large files, this SSD is an excellent choice.
Strengths
- Blazing-fast read/write speeds
- Easy installation and PS5 compatibility
- Durable TLC NAND and high endurance rating
Weaknesses
- Runs warm under heavy loads (heatsink recommended)
- Some concerns about brand reliability post-ownership changes
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a high-performance SSD that won’t break the bank, the Lexar NM790 is a fantastic option. It’s fast, reliable, and offers great value for money. Just make sure to pair it with a heatsink if you plan on pushing it to its limits.
Upgrade your storage game today with the Lexar NM790—you won’t regret it!
Specification Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Drive, Up to 7400/6500 MB/s Read/Write, Compatible with PS5, for Gamers and Creators, Black (LNM790X001T-RNNNU):
Comments from Amazon:
Edited 4/27/2024- Increased overall rating to 5 stars. After 6+ months, this ssd is still working perfect and hasn't really lost any speed or health (see 2nd pic) even though it has had over 3TB of data on it for the last 4 months. Great drive and glad I purchased 2 before the prices increased. I still think it's worth it at the current price. I've been running 2x 2tb Samsung 980 Pro ssd's on my Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16IRX8 and was getting low on D: drive space. I could have shared some C drive space but with ssd prices being what they are at the present time, why bother? I decided it was time to step up to a 4TB ssd but I chose to try saving a little money and went with the Lexar NM790 4TB. I've used many Lexar storage products in digital cameras and digital audio players in the past and have never had one fail. It is my understanding that Lexar has changed hands so the jury is out as to whether this ssd will live a long reliable life, much like all of the previous Lexar products that I've owned. Having said this, so far I'm very happy with the drive, especially for my needs and the money spent. I am using it strictly as a game storage drive so my opinion may or may not be different if I were using it as an OS/boot drive. The Samsung 2tb 980P will continue to be my OS/boot drive since I know it's reliable, has DRAM and there's still plenty of room left for my DAWs and music. I did go ahead and run the CrystalDiskMark test set to the NVME settings. I only ran a single test in order to see what the drive was capable of when filled to 56% with over 2TB of data. In actual use, it works as good as the 980P and I have no complaints. Color me surprised- this drive is actually showing as good if not better numbers than the 35% full Samsung 980P 2TB. If this drive actually lives past the warranty, I will consider it an extremely good value. This is a much better deal than similarly priced QLC drives since this has TLC and is MUCH faster. Finally, someone produced a fast and affordable 4TB ssd without QLC.
PS5 Application: if you're a big video game individual and hate having to swap games all the time, this is what you need. Maintain the crazy load speeds of the SSD and increase your storage by a lot. Easy install. Watch a YouTube video and it takes 10 minutes. Will never go back. Zero issues whatsoever in terms of functionality. Great product
The product works as advertised. I installed it onto my Lenovo Legion, and it was setup rather quickly. So far I haven't had any issues with storage, temps, or read/write speeds. What else is there to say other than it's well worth it and is probably the best gen 4x4 NVME you can get at this price range?
I've been looking at getting a larger NVMe SSD for a year or so now but prices have largely remained steady up until Fall off this year when they really started to get more affordable. This is replacing an older Gen 3 MP510 960GB. I was getting rather tired of having to pick and choose what I wanted installed on the drive. I picked the Lexar after reading numerous reviews and seeing nothing but positives. It's TLC based drive unlike most of the others around this price point for 4TB models. QLC drives have their own issues, the most concerning being longevity, as their NAND is much more easily worn out and typically do have any DRAM so in heavy or intense workloads they can drop to speeds like that of normal mechanical hard drive. It's got a rather high endurance rating, over twice the 1400 TBW of the drive out replaced. This was another reason for getting this as I don't have to worry about the drive failing due to exhausting the endurance. I'm sure I'll be looking gone before the drive would fail. One incredible thing is that Lexar managed to get all 4TB on a single side of the NVMe. Most drives they're on both sides making it harder to cool. My only con is that it does run quite warm. It does sit under my GPU and in general, idling on the desktop it can sit in the 50's. If your motherboard doesn't have a heatsink, you'll want to pick one up. I can't imagine how much worse it could be if I didn't have 2 140mm intakes on the side above the GPU blowing air down onto the board. I did buy a heatsink but have not yet installed it so I'll likely be looking at around a drop off 10-15C or more. If the extra $15-20 for the heatsink model didn't bother you, go that route. I will say I am hampering the drive as the m.2 slot it occupied is only a PCIE Gen 3 so it won't ever hit it's true speeds, but when I tested it, it was hitting the limit of the maximum bandwidth. I was getting identical read and write speeds capping out around 3500MB/s, a little less than half what the drive is capable of. If you're looking for speed, endurance, size options and a good price, the Lexar is the way to go. They've been in the storage game for a long time and have always been reliable for flash based storage
With lightning-fast read and write speeds, it’s perfect for gamers and creators. The heatsink keeps it cool even during intense usage, and the 1TB capacity offers plenty of space for games, files, or projects. It’s also compatible with the PS5, which is a huge plus. Installation was a breeze, and performance is outstanding!
Can’t beat the speeds of this for the price. Boots quickly. Computer recognized it instantly. Performs great
After spending a while contemplating if I should get an external SSD with Heatsink for my PS5 so I wouldn't have to worry about deleting games to make space I finally decided to do so. This has been absolutely worth it! Super easy install. PS5 recognized it immediately and plays games off of it without issues. I was able to move games to the SSD quickly, about 156 GB took 65 seconds to move. This drive is absolutely worth it, quality appears great, overall super happy with my purchase! Highly recommend this to any looking for extra storage!