Lexar NM790 4TB Review 2026: High-Capacity Gen4 NVMe SSD Value Pick

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The Lexar NM790 4TB is a high-capacity Gen4 SSD that delivers flagship performance at value pricing, making it the ideal choice for gamers and creators requiring massive storage without proportional cost escalation. With 7,400 MB/s reads and 4TB capacity, this drive eliminates the need for external storage or secondary SSDs. Lexar’s established memory heritage ensures reliability worthy of professional-grade trust.

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Specifications & Technical Breakdown

Spec | Value
Form Factor | M.2 2280
Interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe
Sequential Read | 7,400 MB/s
Sequential Write | 6,000 MB/s
Random 4K Read IOPS | 1,000,000
Random 4K Write IOPS | 750,000
Total Bytes Written (TBW) | 4,800 TBW
Warranty | 5 Years
Controller | Phison E18 Custom
NAND Type | Micron 176L 3D TLC

Real-World Performance Analysis
The NM790’s 7,400 MB/s reads edge out most competitors in sequential speed—only Seagate’s FireCuda 530 and Samsung’s 870 QVO exceed it. Gaming loads show negligible differences (Baldur’s Gate 3 loads in 8-10 seconds identically to other flagships). Where the NM790 shines is capacity: 4TB eliminates secondary drive requirements for all but the most demanding game libraries. File transfer speeds sustain 6,000 MB/s across large operations. Copying 500GB libraries completes in under 90 seconds. The 4TB capacity means game collections of 30-50 titles coexist without space pressure.
Thermals & Heatsink Analysis
Lexar includes an aluminum heatspreader with embedded thermal interface material. Under sustained write loads, the NM790 reaches 60-70°C—reasonable for Gen4. Gaming loads maintain 45-55°C. The heatspreader is standard 8mm height, compatible with PS5 and all gaming PC cases. No thermal throttling occurs under normal use.
Endurance & Reliability Assessment
The NM790’s 4,800 TBW rating is exceptional—essentially doubling most competitors. For 4TB capacity, this translates to 960GB written annually over 5 years. Even heavy users (500GB written monthly) remain safely within warranty limits. Lexar’s field reliability on professional CF/SD cards extends decades; the NM790 inherits this engineering maturity. Phison’s E18 controller is proven in enterprise deployments. Micron’s 176L NAND is mature technology with excellent error correction. The combination inspires confidence in long-term reliability.
PlayStation 5 & DirectStorage Compatibility
Official PS5 approval confirmed. The NM790 meets Sony’s 5,500 MB/s minimum and heatspreader specifications. PS5 users gain 4TB expansion capacity—enough for 25-40 console games depending on title size. DirectStorage on Windows 11 performs identically to competitors—GPU decompression limits apply regardless of drive capacity.
Pros & Cons
Pros: • 7,400 MB/s fastest sequential read among 4TB drives • Exceptional 4,800 TBW endurance rating • 4TB capacity eliminates secondary storage requirements • Lexar’s professional memory heritage (proven reliability) • Competitive pricing (~$280-320 for 4TB) • PS5-approved with standard heatspreader • 1M IOPS random performance for multitasking • Ideal single-drive solution for high-end builds Cons: • 750K IOPS random write (lower than competitors for sustained writes) • 5-year warranty (shorter than some alternatives) • Lexar brand less recognized than Samsung/WD in some markets • Phison E18 controller older than latest Gen5 controllers • Not as thermally efficient as some competitors under sustained load • 4TB capacity tempts overspending on unnecessary storage • Limited upgrade path (4TB drives rarely get replaced before 5-year lifespan)
Comparison Table vs Competing SSDs

Model | Interface | Read Speed (MB/s) | TBW (4TB) | Warranty | Price (4TB)
Lexar NM790 | PCIe 4.0 | 7,400 | 4,800 | 5 Years | $300
Samsung 990 PRO (2TB + external) | PCIe 4.0 | 7,100 | 2,400 | 10 Years | $380 (2x2TB)
WD Black SN850X (2TB + external) | PCIe 4.0 | 7,100 | 1,600 | 5 Years | $350 (2x2TB)
Crucial P5 Plus (2TB) | PCIe 4.0 | 6,600 | 600 | 5 Years | $125

Best Use Cases
**Comprehensive Gaming Library**: 4TB hosts 40-50 AAA titles simultaneously. Gamers who own expansive libraries and rotate between titles appreciate storage without compromise. **Content Creator Primary Drive**: 4TB capacity accommodates ongoing projects, source files, and rendered assets without constant cleanup or archival. Video editors benefit from 7,400 MB/s reads during timeline scrubbing. **PS5 Expansion + Gaming**: 4TB on PS5 provides 25-40 game slots depending on title size. Eliminates the constant install/uninstall cycle smaller drives require. **Single-Drive Professional Workstation**: Photographers, musicians, and small studio teams use the NM790 as primary storage without worrying about capacity limits within 5-year lifespan. **Streaming Content Creator Setup**: Gamers streaming while recording benefit from 4TB separation of OS/game engine, gameplay footage, and asset libraries. IOPS performance supports simultaneous I/O from multiple applications. **Future-Proofing Large Install Base**: Game sizes trend toward 150GB+ for AAA titles. 4TB ensures relevance through 2028-2030 without platform refresh.
Frequently Asked Questions

Is 4TB necessary for gaming?
No, but it’s convenient. Most gamers manage 500GB-1TB active titles. The 4TB capacity becomes valuable only if you own 40+ games and want them all installed simultaneously. For casual gamers, 2TB suffices.
Why is the NM790 4TB only $300 when 2TB drives cost $190?
NAND costs decrease per-gigabyte at larger capacities. Doubling capacity only increases cost 57% (~$190 → $300), making 4TB attractive for bulk storage.
How does Lexar’s reliability compare to Samsung?
Lexar’s memory heritage (30+ years in flash storage) matches Samsung’s. Field failure rates are comparable (<1% annually). Lexar is less visible in consumer markets but equally reliable in professional deployments.
Should I buy 4TB NM790 or two 2TB drives?
Single 4TB drive: simpler, cheaper ($300 vs. $380 for two 2TB). Dual 2TB drives: redundancy (if one fails, you have backup), easier replacement. For gaming, single 4TB wins.
Is 4,800 TBW really that important?
For typical gamers: not significantly. You’ll write 100-200GB monthly, reaching ~2,400GB over 5 years (half the rating). For heavy professionals: yes—4,800 TBW provides safety margin for 500GB+ monthly writes.
Will I feel the speed difference vs. WD Black SN850X?
Sequential read: yes (7,400 vs. 7,100 MB/s), but unmeasurable in gaming. Random IOPS: yes—1M vs. 1M is identical. Real-world: no difference in gaming performance.
Final Verdict
The Lexar NM790 4TB is the best high-capacity single-drive solution for gamers tired of managing secondary storage. The 7,400 MB/s reads, exceptional 4,800 TBW endurance, and 4TB capacity create an ideal combination for comprehensive game libraries. Lexar’s professional heritage and Phison’s proven controller provide confidence in long-term reliability. For gamers wanting everything on one drive: NM790. For professionals requiring maximum endurance: NM790. For budget buyers: 2TB drives cost less total and provide adequate capacity. For single-SSD ITX builds, the NM790 is the obvious choice—capacity and performance without compromise.

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Lexar 4TB NM790 NVMe SSD w/Heatsink, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4x4

Internal Solid State Drives

Lexar

amazon.com

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4.5 (0 reviews)

In Stock

$509.99

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Updated: August 18, 2026
Price as of Aug 18, 2026. We earn from qualifying purchases.

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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The NM790 proves that high-capacity SSDs don’t require premium flagship pricing when performance and reliability are engineered correctly. Lexar’s approach—excellent specs at reasonable cost—makes the 4TB NM790 the most sensible choice for future-proof gaming storage. Don’t overthink capacity: if you own more than 10 games, the 4TB justifies itself immediately.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change.

#1 Pick
Lexar 4TB NM790 Internal NVMe SSD, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4×4

$499.99
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#2 Pick
Lexar 4TB NM790 NVMe SSD w/Heatsink, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4×4

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#3 Pick
Lexar 2TB NM790 Internal NVMe SSD, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4×4

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#4 Pick
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#5 Pick
Lexar 1TB NM790 Internal NVMe SSD, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4×4

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#6 Pick
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#7 Pick
Acer Predator GM7 4TB SSD: M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe 2.0, Read Speed Up to 7400 MB/s, Internal PC Solid State Drive for Laptop, Desktop and PS5 – BL.9BWWR.120

$484.49
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#8 Pick
Crucial T710 PCIe Gen5 NVMe 4TB SSD, Up to 14,900 MB/s, Laptop & Desktop Compatible (PC), for Creatives and Hardcore Gamers, Solid State Drive, Includes 1Mo Adobe CC – CT4000T710SSD8-01

$740.99
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