Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD

Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD — image 1
Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD — image 2
Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD — image 3
Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD — image 4
Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD — image 5
Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD — image 6
Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD — image 7
81%
19%
91%
Read/Write Performance
93%
PS5 Compatibility
78%
Thermal Management
84%
Build Quality
67%
Value for Money
74%
Installation Experience
82%
Warranty & Support
79%
Sustained Write Endurance
88%
Compatibility Range
86%
Storage Capacity Utility
89%
Form Factor Fit
61%
Packaging & Accessories
83%
Brand Reliability Perception
More

Overview

The Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD enters a crowded Gen4 market with a clear pitch: serious storage performance packaged with a heatsink included, backed by a name that has earned genuine credibility over time. Lexar's Japan-supported manufacturing and quality lab testing across over 1,100 devices are not just marketing footnotes — they are the kind of signals that matter when buying a drive meant to last years. The PS5 certified badge is a real purchase driver for console gamers, and at 2TB, there is finally enough room to stop juggling which titles stay installed. Not the cheapest option in its class, but a considered one.

Features & Benefits

Running on a PCIe Gen4x4 interface, the NM790 2TB reaches sequential read speeds of 7,400 MB/s and writes of 6,500 MB/s — figures that sit at the upper tier of consumer NVMe performance. Worth being clear about: those numbers reflect sequential maximums under ideal conditions, and everyday tasks like game launches or mixed file copies will land lower. Still, the jump from a Gen3 drive is tangible, especially for large transfers. The bundled heatsink does real work here — sustained workloads can push M.2 drives into thermal throttling, and having cooling sorted from day one saves both cost and guesswork. Heavy duty 3D NAND supports long-term endurance.

Best For

This Lexar Gen4 drive is an easy recommendation for PS5 storage upgrades — certification means no compatibility guesswork, and the included heatsink removes the need to separately source cooling. One practical note: the PS5 spacer must be installed before tightening the screws, a step that catches some buyers off guard and is worth reading carefully before starting. Beyond consoles, PC builders graduating from Gen3 will feel a noticeable speed difference, and content creators handling large video or photo files will appreciate the sustained write headroom. Those who value a reputable brand and a strong warranty over chasing the lowest possible price will find this a comfortable, low-risk pick.

User Feedback

With a 4.6-star average across 183 ratings, the NM790 2TB sits in solid standing — not a runaway hit in review volume, but consistent enough to carry meaningful weight. Buyers frequently praise how approachable the PS5 installation is once the spacer step is handled correctly, and many report that load time improvements over the stock PS5 drive are immediately apparent. On the critical side, some feel the price premium is difficult to justify when comparable Gen4 options are available for less. A handful mention the heatsink fitting snugly in certain PS5 configurations. Warranty sentiment is generally positive, though few reviews yet address long-term reliability in depth.

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Pros

  • PS5 certified out of the box — no compatibility research needed before buying.
  • Heatsink is included, saving the cost and effort of sourcing one separately.
  • Sequential read speeds of 7,400 MB/s put this NVMe SSD at the top tier of consumer Gen4 performance.
  • 2TB capacity is generous enough to store a large game library without constant management.
  • Five-year warranty with Japan-supported backing adds genuine long-term peace of mind.
  • Tested across 1,100-plus devices, which is a meaningful compatibility assurance beyond typical spec sheets.
  • 3D NAND construction supports strong endurance relative to its capacity class.
  • Installation in the PS5 is straightforward once the spacer step is correctly followed.
  • Real-world load time improvements over stock PS5 storage are consistently reported by buyers.
  • Reputable brand with an established track record reduces the risk associated with lesser-known drives.

Cons

  • Priced above several competing Gen4 drives that offer similar sequential speeds at the 2TB tier.
  • The included heatsink is functional but not a premium cooling solution for extreme sustained workloads.
  • Only 183 ratings at the time of review — long-term reliability data is still limited.
  • The PS5 spacer installation step is easy to miss and has tripped up a number of first-time installers.
  • Advertised peak speeds are sequential maximums; mixed-use and random read performance is more modest.
  • No bundled software utilities or cloning tools, which some competing drives include.
  • Heatsink fit can be snug in certain PS5 configurations, requiring careful alignment during install.
  • Buyers who only need 1TB of storage are effectively paying a capacity premium they may not fully use.

Ratings

The Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD earned an overall rating of 4.6 stars across 183 verified global purchases — a score our AI model validated by filtering out incentivized, repeated, and bot-pattern reviews to surface genuine buyer sentiment. Categories below reflect both the areas where this Lexar Gen4 drive consistently impresses and the friction points that real users encountered. Scores span from outstanding to weak, so you get an honest picture before committing.

Read/Write Performance
91%
Buyers moving from Gen3 drives consistently report a tangible improvement in game load times and large file transfers. The NM790 2TB regularly hits speeds that benchmark close to its rated ceiling under sequential workloads, which is more than can be said for many drives in this tier.
Random read and write performance — the kind that governs everyday OS snappiness and small file operations — is less exceptional relative to the sequential headline figures. A few technically literate buyers noted the gap between peak and real-world mixed workload speeds in their assessments.
PS5 Compatibility
93%
The official PS5 certification removes any guesswork about whether the drive will be recognized and function correctly. Users report that once the console rebuilds its database after installation, everything operates exactly as expected with no additional configuration.
The spacer installation step — placing the small standoff before tightening the M.2 screw — has tripped up a meaningful number of first-time installers. Lexar's in-box instructions could be clearer on this point, and some buyers had to consult third-party guides mid-installation.
Thermal Management
78%
22%
Having a heatsink pre-installed means PS5 users and budget-conscious PC builders do not need to source cooling separately, which is a practical convenience that bare drives simply cannot match. Under typical gaming sessions, temperatures stay within a safe operating range.
The included heatsink is a mid-grade functional accessory, not a heavy-duty cooling solution. In high-ambient-temperature PC environments or during extended, sustained write workloads, some users noted that temperatures crept higher than they would have liked, suggesting the heatsink has limits.
Build Quality
84%
The drive feels solid and well-assembled, with the heatsink attaching cleanly to the PCB without wobble. Buyers frequently mention that it looks and feels like a premium product, which matters when installing it into a visible PC build or a carefully maintained console.
The heatsink fit inside some PS5 units was reported as snug, requiring careful alignment to avoid scraping adjacent components. This is partly a PS5 chassis constraint, but a slightly more universal heatsink profile would reduce installation anxiety.
Value for Money
67%
33%
The bundled heatsink and PS5 certification do add genuine value that justifies some of the premium over bare-drive competitors. For buyers who would otherwise purchase a heatsink separately, the all-in-one packaging makes the price difference more defensible.
Several buyers flag that comparable Gen4 2TB drives from competing brands are available for noticeably less, without a meaningful performance penalty. Unless the Lexar branding and warranty terms are a priority, budget-focused shoppers have legitimate alternatives to consider.
Installation Experience
74%
26%
For PC builders familiar with M.2 installation, the process is entirely standard and takes only a few minutes. PS5 users who follow Sony's official guide alongside Lexar's instructions generally report a smooth experience once they understand the spacer step.
The in-box documentation does not adequately emphasize the PS5 spacer requirement, which has led to a recurring pattern of user confusion in reviews. A clearer quick-start card specifically addressing console installation would significantly reduce this friction.
Warranty & Support
82%
18%
A five-year warranty backed by Japan-supported manufacturing is a meaningful commitment in a market where many budget alternatives offer two years or less. Buyers who have engaged with Lexar's support channels generally describe the experience as professional and responsive.
Because this specific model has a relatively modest review volume, long-term warranty claim experiences are not yet well-documented by users. The TBW threshold caveat is standard in the industry but worth understanding before assuming the full five years applies unconditionally.
Sustained Write Endurance
79%
21%
The heavy duty 3D NAND underpinning the NM790 2TB is a genuine durability asset, particularly for content creators who write large files regularly. Buyers who move video footage or perform frequent large backups appreciate that the drive handles sustained activity without obvious slowdowns.
Like most consumer NVMe drives, write speeds can dip once the SLC cache is saturated during very large, continuous transfers. This is not unique to the NM790 2TB, but buyers expecting consistently peak write speeds for hours-long operations should factor this in.
Compatibility Range
88%
Testing across more than 1,100 digital devices gives buyers legitimate confidence that this drive will function correctly in a wide range of motherboards and laptops beyond just the PS5. Users with less common hardware configurations have not reported widespread compatibility issues.
Gen3-only M.2 slots will limit the drive to roughly half its rated speeds, and a small subset of buyers discovered this limitation after purchase. The product listing makes this clear, but it is easy to overlook if you are not already familiar with PCIe generational constraints.
Storage Capacity Utility
86%
At 2TB, there is enough room to comfortably store fifteen or more large modern titles simultaneously on a PS5, or a substantial media archive on a PC. Buyers who previously had to manage a 500GB or 1TB drive report that the upgrade genuinely changes how they interact with their library.
Users who primarily play a small rotating selection of games may find 2TB is more capacity than they actively use, meaning they pay a premium for headroom that sits idle. A 1TB variant would suit lighter users better from a cost-efficiency standpoint.
Form Factor Fit
89%
The M.2 2280 standard is the most widely supported form factor across modern motherboards and laptops, so physical fitment is almost never an issue. The heatsink adds minimal height, which fits within the clearance tolerances of most standard PC cases.
Ultra-compact small form factor builds and certain slim laptops with limited M.2 vertical clearance may have trouble accommodating the heatsink. In those cases, users would need to remove it — which is possible but eliminates one of the drive's main selling points.
Packaging & Accessories
61%
39%
The drive arrives securely packaged and the heatsink is pre-applied, so there is minimal setup before installation. The black finish and overall presentation feel appropriate for the price bracket and match the aesthetic of most gaming builds.
No cloning software, no USB enclosure adapter, and no meaningful accessories beyond the drive itself. Competing brands in the same price range sometimes bundle migration tools or even a basic enclosure, making the NM790 2TB feel light on added value outside the heatsink.
Brand Reliability Perception
83%
Lexar has a long-standing reputation in the storage market, and buyers who have used their products before tend to return with confidence. The Japan-backed manufacturing association provides an additional layer of quality perception that no-name alternatives simply cannot offer.
Some buyers still perceive Lexar as secondary to the top-tier SSD brands and question whether the brand premium is fully justified. Awareness of Lexar's quality lab testing process is low among general consumers, which means the brand trust advantage is not always fully realized at purchase.

Suitable for:

The Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD is a strong fit for PS5 owners who have run out of internal storage and want a certified, hassle-free upgrade that does not require hunting down a separate heatsink. If your game library includes multiple large AAA titles and you are tired of constantly uninstalling to make room, the 2TB capacity genuinely solves that problem rather than delaying it. PC builders stepping up from an older Gen3 drive will also notice a real-world difference in large file transfers and sustained workloads, not just benchmark numbers. Content creators moving high-resolution video or photography archives will appreciate the write headroom this NVMe SSD offers during bulk operations. And for anyone who puts weight on brand accountability — a five-year warranty backed by Japan-supported manufacturing is a meaningful safety net compared to lesser-known alternatives.

Not suitable for:

Buyers on a tight budget who are comparison-shopping purely on price-per-gigabyte will likely find more economical Gen4 options that come close in raw performance without the brand premium. The Lexar NM790 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD is also not the right call for users still running PCIe Gen3 motherboards, since the drive will operate at reduced speeds and the price premium becomes harder to justify. Those expecting the included heatsink to be a thick, aftermarket-grade cooler should temper expectations — it handles everyday thermal management well, but it is a functional accessory rather than an enthusiast upgrade. If you only need 1TB of storage, the 2TB capacity means you are paying for headroom you may not use for years. Users who have historically needed active customer support during warranty claims should note that the review base is still relatively small, so long-term support experience is not yet well-documented.

Specifications

  • Capacity: This drive offers 2TB of usable storage, making it well-suited for large game libraries or media archives.
  • Interface: It uses a PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe interface, which requires a compatible M.2 slot on the host device to reach full speed.
  • Form Factor: The drive follows the standard M.2 2280 form factor, measuring 3.15 x 0.87 x 0.08 inches including the heatsink.
  • Sequential Read: Maximum sequential read speed is rated at 7,400 MB/s under optimal, sequential workload conditions.
  • Sequential Write: Maximum sequential write speed is rated at 6,500 MB/s, placing it among the faster consumer Gen4 NVMe drives available.
  • NAND Type: The drive uses heavy duty 3D NAND flash memory, which supports stronger endurance and data retention compared to planar NAND.
  • Heatsink: An integrated heatsink is included in the box and pre-fitted to the drive to assist with thermal management during sustained use.
  • PS5 Certified: The NM790 2TB has been officially certified for use in the PlayStation 5 M.2 expansion slot.
  • Warranty: Lexar provides a 5-year limited warranty, or until the drive reaches its TBW (terabytes written) threshold, whichever comes first.
  • Weight: The complete unit, including the heatsink, weighs approximately 2.82 ounces.
  • Color: The drive and heatsink are finished in black, which is consistent with most M.2 SSD aesthetics.
  • Model Number: The official Lexar model number for this variant is LNM790X002T-RN9NG.
  • Compatibility Testing: Lexar tested this drive across more than 1,100 digital devices in their internal Quality Lab before release.
  • Manufacturer Support: Product warranty and quality assurance are backed by Lexar's Japan-based manufacturing operations.
  • Install Type: This is an internal M.2 SSD intended for direct installation inside a compatible PC or PS5 — no external enclosure is required.

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FAQ

Yes, it is PS5 certified and the heatsink is already included, so you do not need to purchase cooling separately. The one thing to watch is the spacer — you need to install it on the correct standoff inside the PS5 before tightening the screw, and that step catches some people off guard. Take a quick look at Sony's official installation guide before you start.

Most buyers report that game load times are noticeably faster after upgrading to a fast Gen4 drive. The PS5's built-in storage is already quick, so the gap will not be dramatic in every scenario, but moving between areas and initial game loads do tend to feel snappier with a top-tier Gen4 drive installed.

Not exactly. Those figures represent peak sequential read performance under ideal conditions, which is most relevant for benchmarks and large consecutive file transfers. Day-to-day mixed workloads, random reads, and smaller file operations will produce lower numbers. That said, the real-world improvement over slower Gen3 drives is still meaningful and consistently reported by users.

The included heatsink is functional and handles typical gaming and workload temperatures well. It is not a thick, premium aftermarket cooler, but for the vast majority of users — including PS5 installs and standard desktop use — it does its job without needing a replacement. If you are running sustained, extreme workloads on a high-ambient-temperature PC build, a beefier aftermarket heatsink could help, but it is not necessary for most people.

It depends on your laptop. You need a free M.2 2280 slot that supports PCIe Gen4 NVMe. Many modern laptops have this, but some only support Gen3, and others have physically shorter M.2 slots (like 2242). Check your laptop's specifications or manual before purchasing to confirm slot size and interface compatibility.

Lexar covers the drive for five years from purchase, or until you hit the TBW (terabytes written) limit — whichever happens first. Keep your purchase receipt, as you will need proof of purchase for any claim. Lexar's warranty support is handled through their official channels, and general buyer sentiment around their support has been positive, though the sample size for this specific model is still growing.

Yes, the drive will physically fit and function in a Gen3 M.2 slot, but it will be limited to Gen3 speeds — roughly half the rated maximum. It will still work reliably, but if you are on a Gen3 platform and primarily looking for value, there are purpose-built Gen3 drives available at lower prices that make more sense.

In practice, a 2TB drive typically shows around 1.86TB of usable space after formatting, due to how storage manufacturers calculate gigabytes versus how operating systems and consoles report them. This is standard across the industry and not specific to this drive.

If you play a mix of modern AAA titles, 2TB fills up faster than most people expect — several recent releases exceed 100GB each. For PS5 users in particular, where you often cannot play directly from an external drive for PS5 titles, having ample internal storage genuinely reduces how often you need to manage your library. It is worth it if you have more than a handful of large games you want installed simultaneously.

No, the NM790 2TB does not include cloning or data migration software in the box. If you are moving an existing PC setup to this drive, you will need to use a third-party cloning tool — several reliable free options exist — or perform a clean OS installation. For PS5 use, this is not relevant since the console handles the drive setup automatically.

Where to Buy

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