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

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

Bottom line: The Lexar 2TB NM790 Internal NVMe SSD: 7400MB/s read and 6500MB/s write, full PCIe Gen 4x4 speed; main trade-off: DRAM-less design relies on host memory, so HMB support matters.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For SSDs and PC storage upgrades, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 7400MB/s read and 6500MB/s write, full PCIe Gen 4x4 speed
  • ✓ 1500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model
  • ✓ Up to 40% lower power draw than DRAM-cache Gen 4 drives
  • ✓ HMB 3.0 borrows system RAM to replace an onboard DRAM cache

Cons

  • ✗ DRAM-less design relies on host memory, so HMB support matters
  • ✗ M.2 2280 only, no 2230 option for Steam Deck or ROG Ally
  • ✗ Gen 4x4 speeds drop to Gen 3 rates in an older motherboard slot
  • ✗ No heatsink included, so sustained writes may need board cooling

Manufacturer description

The Lexar NM790 2TB brings PCIe Gen 4x4 speeds to your build without the price premium of a DRAM-equipped drive. Sequential reads hit 7400MB/s and writes reach 6500MB/s, roughly twice the throughput of a PCIe Gen 3 SSD, which translates to faster level loads, quicker project file opens, and less waiting when you move large video or model files around. Instead of onboard DRAM, the NM790 uses Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 to borrow a slice of your system memory for the mapping table. Lexar rates that approach at up to 40% lower power draw than DRAM cache-enabled Gen 4 drives, which matters in a…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Lexar 2TB NM790 Internal NVMe SSD using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Lexar's ssds & storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for ssds & storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is the Lexar NM790 2TB?

Lexar rates it at up to 7400MB/s sequential read and 6500MB/s sequential write over PCIe Gen 4x4, about 2x the throughput of a PCIe Gen 3 SSD.

Does the NM790 have a DRAM cache?

No. It is a DRAM-less drive that uses Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 to use a portion of your system memory as the cache, which is how it draws up to 40% less power than DRAM cache-enabled Gen 4 SSDs.

Will the NM790 fit my laptop or desktop?

It uses the M.2 2280 form factor with a PCIe Gen 4x4 interface, the standard slot on current desktop motherboards and most laptops. Confirm your device takes a 2280-length M.2 NVMe drive before ordering.

How long will the 2TB NM790 last?

The 2TB model is rated for 1500TBW (terabytes written). For warranty length and coverage terms, check the current Lexar product listing.

Is the NM790 fast enough for gaming?

Lexar positions it for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators, and its Gen 4x4 read speed of 7400MB/s clears the bandwidth that modern game asset streaming asks for.

Key Features

  • [2TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 1500TBW
  • 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
  • Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
  • Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
  • Designed for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators

Full Specifications

Size2TB
BrandLexar
ColorBlack
ModelLNM790X002T-RNNNU
WarrantyFive-year limited warranty
UnitCount1
ReleaseDate2023-07-24T00:00:01Z
ManufacturerLexar International
ItemPartNumberLNM790X002T-RNNNU

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Lexar 2TB NM790 Internal NVMe SSD, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4x4 is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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