Head-to-head · Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

Crucial T500 1TB vs Lexar NM790 1TB

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Crucial T500 1TB comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about budget PS5 upgraders willing to buy a heatsink separately — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

Crucial T500 1TB

4.6

$90

The T500 is the value pick. Same 7,300 MB/s spec sheet as the WD SN850X at meaningful savings. Trade-off is sourcing a separate heatsink. Best for budget-conscious PS5 upgraders willing to buy parts separately.

Strengths

— $90 (frequently on sale at $60) — cheapest pick in this lineup
— 7,300 MB/s sequential read matches the WD SN850X
— Available with optional heatsink for PS5 compliance

Watch-outs

— Heatsink is an extra ~$20 add-on
— Slightly higher operating temps under sustained load than the SN850X
— 5-year warranty matches SN850X but Crucial RMA process slower

$90 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

Lexar NM790 1TB

4.4

$85

The NM790 is the budget speed pick. Spec-sheet performance matches Samsung 990 Pro at almost half the price — useful when you'll source a heatsink separately. Trade-off is DRAM-less design.

Strengths

— 7,400 MB/s sequential read at budget pricing
— DRAM-less design but uses host memory buffer (HMB) effectively
— Compact and cool-running

Watch-outs

— No heatsink — must buy separate Sabrent or ElecGear ($20)
— DRAM-less design has slightly slower mixed-workload performance
— Lexar brand support trails Samsung / WD / Crucial

$85 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Crucial T500 1TB

Cheapest pick. Same read speed as SN850X. Heatsink sold separately. Slightly warmer operation.

Lexar NM790 1TB

Cheapest pick with top-tier read speed. No heatsink (buy separately). DRAM-less.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Crucial T500 1TB	Lexar NM790 1TB
Capacity	1TB	1TB
Read Speed	7,300 MB/s	7,400 MB/s
Heatsink	Optional add-on	None
Warranty	5-year	—
Design	—	DRAM-less (HMB)

← See the full ranking of best ssds for ps5 upgrade