Lexar NM790
M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen 4
Introduction
The Lexar NM790 with the included Heatsink is a high-performance M.2 NVMe SSD designed to meet the demands of modern computing and gaming. This product represents a significant advancement in solid-state storage technology, offering impressive speeds and thermal management for both PC and PlayStation 5 users.
Product Overview
The Lexar NM790 is a PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD that comes in a standard M.2 2280 form factor. It is available in capacities of 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, catering to various storage needs. The drive is equipped with an integrated heatsink, making it an ideal choice for high-performance applications and gaming consoles where thermal management is crucial.
Key Features
Blazing Fast Performance
The NM790 boasts exceptional read and write speeds of up to 7400MB/s and 6500MB/s respectively, leveraging the full potential of the PCIe Gen 4 interface. This performance puts it at the forefront of consumer SSDs, offering speeds that are approximately twice as fast as PCIe Gen 3 SSDs.
Integrated Heatsink Design
A standout feature of this model is its pre-installed heatsink. The all-aluminum heatsink covers both sides of the SSD, with thermal pads ensuring efficient heat dissipation. This design is particularly beneficial for maintaining consistent performance during intensive operations and for use in compact systems like the PlayStation 5.
Power Efficiency
Despite its high-performance capabilities, the NM790 with Heatsink is designed to be power-efficient. It consumes up to 40% less power compared to DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs, which is advantageous for both desktop and laptop applications.
Advanced Controller Technology
The drive utilizes a Maxiotech MAP1602A controller, which supports Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 technology. This feature allows the SSD to use a portion of the system's RAM as a cache, enhancing performance without the need for onboard DRAM.
High Endurance
With an endurance rating of 3000 TBW (Terabytes Written) for the 4TB model, the NM790 offers excellent durability, making it suitable for intensive workloads and frequent read/write operations.
Performance Analysis
Sequential Speeds
The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink delivers impressive sequential read speeds of up to 7400MB/s and write speeds of up to 6500MB/s. These figures place it among the top-performing Gen 4 SSDs currently available. In real-world testing, the drive has shown the ability to consistently approach these speeds, with CrystalDiskMark 8 tests reporting 7,388MB/s reads and 6,481MB/s writes at high queue depths.
Random Performance
Random performance is equally crucial for overall system responsiveness. While Lexar doesn't provide official 4K random performance figures, tests have shown the drive capable of reaching up to 631,188 IOPS for random reads and 497,150 IOPS for random writes at Queue Depth 32. These numbers indicate excellent performance for tasks involving small file operations, such as operating system functions and application loading.
Thermal Management
The integrated heatsink proves its worth in thermal management. During intensive benchmarking, the NM790 maintained temperatures significantly lower than its non-heatsink counterpart. For instance, in CrystalDiskMark 8 Default Write tests, the heatsink model peaked at 59°C, compared to 65°C for the standard model. This improved thermal performance helps prevent thermal throttling, ensuring sustained high performance during prolonged intensive operations.
Compatibility
PlayStation 5
The Lexar NM790 is fully compatible with the PlayStation 5, meeting Sony's requirements for expandable storage. Its pre-installed heatsink design is particularly advantageous for PS5 users, as it eliminates the need for additional cooling solutions and ensures optimal performance within the console's compact environment.
Desktop and Laptop PCs
This SSD is compatible with both desktop and laptop computers that support M.2 NVMe drives. Its PCIe Gen 4x4 interface allows it to deliver maximum performance on systems with Gen 4 support, while remaining backward compatible with PCIe Gen 3 systems.
Advantages and Limitations
Strengths
Exceptional sequential read and write speeds
Effective integrated heatsink for improved thermal management
High endurance rating, suitable for intensive workloads
Power-efficient design compared to similar high-performance SSDs
PlayStation 5 compatibility out of the box
Constraints
Premium pricing compared to some competitors
Limited capacity options (no 512GB model with heatsink)
Slightly lower write speeds in some benchmarks compared to the non-heatsink version
May not fit in all laptop designs due to the integrated heatsink
Conclusion
The Lexar NM790 represents a compelling option in the high-performance SSD market. Its combination of blazing speeds, effective thermal management, and compatibility with both PCs and the PlayStation 5 make it an excellent choice for gamers, content creators, and power users. While it comes at a premium price point, the added value of the integrated heatsink and consistent performance justifies the investment for those seeking top-tier storage solutions. Whether used as a primary drive in a gaming rig, a speedy scratch disk for content creation, or as expanded storage for a PS5, the NM790 with Heatsink delivers impressive performance and reliability.
Works Cited
Crisp, Simon. "Lexar NM790 with Heatsink 4TB SSD Review." KitGuru, 12 Mar. 2024, www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/simon-crisp/lexar-nm790-with-heatsink-4tb-ssd-review/all/1/
"Lexar Announces New M.2 SSD with Heatsink." Lexar, 22 Mar. 2024, americas.lexar.com/news/lexar-announces-new-m-2-ssd-with-heatsink-a-perfect-companion-for-the-playstation-5/
"Lexar NM790 4 TB w/ Heatsink Review." TechPowerUp, 15 Dec. 2023, www.techpowerup.com/review/lexar-nm790-4-tb-w-heatsink/
"NM790 with Heatsink M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4×4 NVMe SSD." Lexar, 13 Feb. 2025, americas.lexar.com/product/nm790-with-heatsink-m-2-2280-pcie-gen-4x4-nvme-ssd/
"ServeTheHome Lexar NM790 4TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD Review." ServeTheHome, 30 Oct. 2023, www.servethehome.com/lexar-nm790-4tb-ssd-review/
