Introduction
Lexar is well known for its memory components, including memory cards, USB flash drives, portable drives, card readers, RAM, and SSDs. We’ve evaluated two Lexar SSDs, the Lexar Professional NM800 Pro SSD is geared for professionals, and professional applications and we’ve also evaluated the Lexar NM710 SSD which is a more value-conscious SSD, but both are PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSDs.
Another option, which we are reviewing today, is the Lexar NM790 SSD which fits in above the NM710 but offers competitive general use and gaming-oriented performance in a DRAM-less configuration, but at the highest generation PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD speeds. The Lexar NM790 offers 7,400MB/s read and 6,500MB/s write performance and uses Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 instead of a dedicated DRAM cache, saving cost and reducing energy consumption and does have Dynamic SLC caching.
Lexar offers the NM790 SSD in two variations, one without a heatsink and one with an integrated pre-installed heatsink. We are specifically reviewing the NM790 with Heatsink M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4×4 NVMe SSD part number LNM790X002T-RN9NU. Lexar offers the NM790 in three capacities, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, so it is great to see a 4TB model, meaning you can get high-speed performance and large capacity for a laptop or desktop or the PS5.
| Lexar NM790 | |
|---|---|
| PCIe Generation | Gen4 x4 |
| Capacities Offered | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Versions | No Heatsink, With Heatsink |
| Cell Type | TLC |
| Controller | Maxio MAP1602 |
| NAND Flash | 232-Layer |
| DRAM Cache | DRAM-less, Host Memory Buffer 3.0 |
| SLC Caching | Yes |
| Read Speed | 7400MB/s |
| Write Speed | 6500MB/s |
| TBW | 1TB: 1000TBW, 2TB: 1500TBW, 4TB: 3000TBW |
What’s also great about all of these capacities is that all three offer the exact same read and write performance: Sequential read up to 7400MB/s, and sequential write up to 6500MB/s, so no matter which capacity you purchase, you are getting the same performance. The TBW isn’t bad either: 1TB is 1000TBW, 2TB is 1500TBW, and 4TB is 3000TBW, MTBF is 1,500,000 hours and Lexar offers a five-year limited warranty.
For the Lexar NM790 with integrated Heatsink version, the 1TB is about $80 online at the time of writing, while the 2TB is $154 and the 4TB is $268. Prices are shifting, so make sure to check our pricing widget below for the latest updated prices.
Lexar NM790 with Heatsink 2TB SSD
As we mentioned, the Lexar NM790 is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe 2.0 M.2 2280 SSD. The Lexar NM790 is based on the Maxio MAP1602 controller and 232-Layer TLC 3D NAND Flash. It does not have a DRAM cache, instead relying on Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 and a dynamic SLC cache. The Maxio MAP1602 is a 4-channel controller based on a 12nm process technology IC that supports PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe 2.0, and Maxio Agile ECC 3 technology based on an ARM R5 CPU core.
We have the NM790 with a pre-installed heatsink, and the box is eye-catching the capacity and speed are clearly labeled, and the label of the SSD shows through a window so you know what model and specs you are getting. We found the NM790 inside to be securely held in place, shipping should be no problem.
The Lexar NM790 is a standard 2280 M.2 heatsink, and Lexar has pre-installed the heatsink on this model, which covers both sides of the SSD. However, note that all the silicon is on one side only. Regardless, Lexar has designed this heatsink with thermal pads on both sides, which make contact with the all-aluminum heatsink to transfer heat on both sides.
Upon close inspection, you can see that the heatsink has channeled fins down the center, to allow air to pass through from your normal case airflow and direct the airflow. Even with this heatsink, Lexar has provided a slim profile so that it will fit in a laptop or the PS5 even with this heatsink on. The cooling is more than sufficient, without active airflow for the performance this SSD delivers. If you so desire, you can remove the heatsink, but at the point you might as well just purchase the NM790 without the heatsink if you want to use your own or have a very thin laptop. It’s great that you have these options with the NM790.
When installed, the Lexar NM790 SSD offers a great industrial blacked-out aesthetic that will match well in any system. The slim-profile heatsink ensures excellent cooling and will not interfere with larger components in your system.