Head-to-head · Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

Lexar NM790 1TB vs WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink

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

WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.8). The gap is mostly about PS5 owners who want zero installation hassle — read the strengths below before deciding.

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 →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink

4.8

$150

The SN850X with Heatsink is the best-overall PS5 SSD pick. Sony-compliant heatsink pre-installed plus 7,300 MB/s reads makes it the easiest PS5 upgrade. Best for users who want to install once and forget it.

Strengths

— 7,300 MB/s sequential read — exceeds Sony's 5,500 MB/s PS5 requirement comfortably
— Pre-installed heatsink meets Sony's 11.25mm M.2 size requirement
— Plug-and-play install — no separate heatsink purchase needed

Watch-outs

— Slightly more expensive than non-heatsink versions
— 1TB feels limiting for modern AAA games at 100+ GB each
— WD's customer support varies regionally

$150 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Lexar NM790 1TB

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

WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink

Best plug-and-play (heatsink pre-installed). Sony-compliant out of box. More expensive than Crucial T500.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Lexar NM790 1TB	WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink
Capacity	1TB	1TB
Read Speed	7,400 MB/s	7,300 MB/s
Heatsink	None	Pre-installed
Design	DRAM-less (HMB)	—
Form Factor	—	M.2 2280 (Sony-compliant)
Warranty	—	5-year

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