The verdict
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.
Lexar NM790 1TB
Strengths
- +7,400 MB/s sequential read at budget pricing
- +DRAM-less design but uses host memory buffer (HMB) effectively
- +Compact and cool-running
- +5-year warranty
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
How it compares
Cheapest pick with top-tier read speed. No heatsink (buy separately). DRAM-less.
Who this is for
At a glance: budget-aware PS5 upgraders who already have or will buy a heatsink.
Why you’d buy the Lexar NM790 1TB
- 7,400 MB/s sequential read at budget pricing.
- DRAM-less design but uses host memory buffer (HMB) effectively.
- Compact and cool-running.
Why you’d skip it
- 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.
Rating sources
Our 4.4 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
