Home » Lexar SSD Buying Guide: NM1090 PRO, NM990, NM790 and NQ790

Lexar SSD Buying Guide: NM1090 PRO, NM990, NM790 and NQ790

Lexar SSD buying guide

Lexar offers different SSD families for Gen5 PCs, cost-conscious Gen4 upgrades and PS5 storage. The NM1090 PRO focuses on high throughput with dedicated DRAM, while NM990 targets Gen5 performance with a different cache architecture. NM790 remains a capable Gen4 option and NQ790 addresses price-sensitive upgrades. Use this guide to choose by interface, capacity, cooling and verified selling price.

Quick answer

For a Gen5 workstation, start with NM1090 PRO. For a faster-on-paper Gen5 option with a different cache approach, compare NM990. NM790 is a strong Gen4 choice; NQ790 may be attractive at a lower price. For PS5, buy a documented heatsink-ready Lexar model.

Your buying guideWhat matters before you buy

Lexar sells several kinds of internal NVMe SSD, and their model names do not tell the entire buying story. Before deciding between NM1090 PRO, NM990, NM790, NQ790 and PLAY 2280, identify your motherboard or console, the M.2 slot generation, and the space available for a cooler. A premium Gen5 model can transfer very large files quickly, but it may be poor value when the computer only supports Gen4 or your workload is ordinary game loading.

Use the matching listings below to compare the same storage capacity in your local Amazon marketplace. Treat a bare NM790 and an NM790 with a factory heatsink as separate products, particularly for PlayStation installations. Also compare endurance, warranty, and realistic cooling requirements. Alternatives from other manufacturers appear separately, so a cheaper competing SSD is never misrepresented as a Lexar model.

CompatibilityConfirm your device supports NVMe M.2 2280 and the intended PCIe generation.
CapacityCompare 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and supported 8TB SKUs without mixing models.
True valueCompare verified price per TB and cooling costs in the same market.
FamiliesNM1090 PRO · NM990 · NM790 · NM790 Heat
InterfacePCIe Gen4 / Gen5 NVMe
SizeM.2 2280
PricingVerified offers only
Buying decision

Choose the right exact SSD

ChoiceBest useCheck before buying
NM1090 PROHigh-throughput Gen5 workstationsGen5 slot, airflow and DRAM-equipped SKU
NM990Gen5 gaming and content transfersCheck region availability and HMB behavior
NM790Fast Gen4 desktops and laptopsBare vs heatsink variant and physical clearance
NQ790Lower-cost Gen4 expansionCapacity-dependent write speed and TBW
Compare exact SSD offers

Current Lexar SSD Deals on Amazon 8

Only exact new Lexar internal SSD models, capacities and heatsink configurations qualify. Price freshness is displayed honestly.

Potential savings appear only when Amazon supplies a fresh, credible reference price for the exact same item. No reference price means no discount claim.

Lexar 1TB NM1090 PRO NVMe SSD, 14,000/10,000 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 5 | Ideal for AI Computing, Gaming, Content Creation, Thermal Control, DirectStorage Enabled, DRAM & SLC Cache, LNM109P001T-RNNNU
LEXAR · Lexar Professional NM1090 PRO · Gen5

Lexar 1TB NM1090 PRO NVMe SSD, 14,000/10,000 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 5 | Ideal for AI Computing, Gaming, Content Creation, Thermal Control, DirectStorage Enabled, DRAM & SLC Cache, LNM109P001T-RNNNU

1TB · M.2 2280 · $229.99/TB

$229.99Last verified 28 days ago
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Lexar Nm990 2 Tb M.2 Pci Express 5.0 Nvme, W129162111 (5.0 Nvme)
LEXAR · Lexar NM990 · Gen5

Lexar Nm990 2 Tb M.2 Pci Express 5.0 Nvme, W129162111 (5.0 Nvme)

2TB · M.2 2280 · $234.08/TB

$468.16Last verified 28 days ago
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Lexar 1TB NM790 Internal NVMe SSD, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4x4 | Compatible w/ PS5, Gamers & Content Creators, PC & Laptops, SLC Cache, Single-Sided Design, LNM790X001T-RNNNU
LEXAR · Lexar NM790 (bare) · Gen4

Lexar 1TB NM790 Internal NVMe SSD, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4x4 | Compatible w/ PS5, Gamers & Content Creators, PC & Laptops, SLC Cache, Single-Sided Design, LNM790X001T-RNNNU

1TB · M.2 2280 · $199.99/TB

$199.99Last verified 28 days ago
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Lexar 1TB NM790 NVMe SSD w/Heatsink, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4x4 | Compatible w/ PS5, Gamers & Content Creators, PC & Laptops, SLC Cache, Single-Sided Design, LNM790X001T-RN9NU
LEXAR · Lexar NM790 with Heatsink · Gen4

Lexar 1TB NM790 NVMe SSD w/Heatsink, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4x4 | Compatible w/ PS5, Gamers & Content Creators, PC & Laptops, SLC Cache, Single-Sided Design, LNM790X001T-RN9NU

1TB · M.2 2280 · $188.49/TB

$188.49Last verified 28 days ago
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Lexar 4TB Play SSD with Heatsink PCle Gen 4x4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Drive, Up to 7400/6500 MB/s, Compatible with PS5, Gamers, Creators (LNMPLY8004T-RNNNU)
LEXAR · Lexar PLAY 2280 · Gen4

Lexar 4TB Play SSD with Heatsink PCle Gen 4x4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Drive, Up to 7400/6500 MB/s, Compatible with PS5, Gamers, Creators (LNMPLY8004T-RNNNU)

4TB · M.2 2280 · $145.00/TB

$579.99Last verified 28 days ago
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Lexar 2TB NM1090 PRO NVMe SSD, 14,000/13,000 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 5 | Ideal for AI Computing, Gaming, Content Creation, Thermal Control, DirectStorage Enabled, DRAM & SLC Cache, LNM109P002T-RNNNU
LEXAR · Lexar Professional NM1090 PRO · Gen5

Lexar 2TB NM1090 PRO NVMe SSD, 14,000/13,000 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 5 | Ideal for AI Computing, Gaming, Content Creation, Thermal Control, DirectStorage Enabled, DRAM & SLC Cache, LNM109P002T-RNNNU

2TB · M.2 2280 · $180.00/TB

$359.99Last verified 28 days ago
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Lexar Nm990 4 Tb M.2 Pci Express 5.0 Nvme, W129162112 (5.0 Nvme)
LEXAR · Lexar NM990 · Gen5

Lexar Nm990 4 Tb M.2 Pci Express 5.0 Nvme, W129162112 (5.0 Nvme)

4TB · M.2 2280 · $210.71/TB

$842.85Last verified 28 days ago
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Lexar SSD 1TB 7400/6500 NM790 M.2 Lex NVME
LEXAR · Lexar NM790 (bare) · Gen4

Lexar SSD 1TB 7400/6500 NM790 M.2 Lex NVME

1TB · M.2 2280 · $233.00/TB

$233.00Last verified 28 days ago
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Compare beyond Lexar

Other SSDs to compare 12

Different brands and models, shown as clearly labeled alternatives. Check capacity, slot generation, heatsink and warranty before choosing a substitute.

Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 1TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280, Up to 14,700MB/s | NVMe Internal Solid State Hard Drive best for AI Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations (MZ VAP1T0B/AM)
ALTERNATIVE · Samsung 9100 PRO · Gen5

Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 1TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280, Up to 14,700MB/s | NVMe Internal Solid State Hard Drive best for AI Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations (MZ VAP1T0B/AM)

1TB · M.2 2280 · $249.00/TB

$249.00Last verified 28 days ago
Check on Amazon ↗
WD_Black SN8100 1TB NVMe SSD - PCIe 5.0x4, M.2 2280, Up to 14,900MB/s Read Speed, up to 11,000MB/s Write Speed, Best for AI Applications, Gaming, and Video Editing - WDS100T1X0M
ALTERNATIVE · WD_BLACK SN8100 · Gen5

WD_Black SN8100 1TB NVMe SSD - PCIe 5.0x4, M.2 2280, Up to 14,900MB/s Read Speed, up to 11,000MB/s Write Speed, Best for AI Applications, Gaming, and Video Editing - WDS100T1X0M

1TB · M.2 2280 · $269.00/TB

$269.00Last verified 28 days ago
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Kingston FURY Renegade G5 1024GB NVMe SSD | PCIe 5.0 M.2 2280 | Up to 14,8000MB/s | SFYR2S/1T0
ALTERNATIVE · Kingston FURY Renegade G5 · Gen5

Kingston FURY Renegade G5 1024GB NVMe SSD | PCIe 5.0 M.2 2280 | Up to 14,8000MB/s | SFYR2S/1T0

1TB · M.2 2280 · $364.90/TB

$364.90Last verified 28 days ago
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Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280, Up to 7,450 MB/s | NVMe Internal Solid State Hard Drive for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations (MZ-V9P1T0B/AM)
ALTERNATIVE · Samsung 990 PRO · Gen4

Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280, Up to 7,450 MB/s | NVMe Internal Solid State Hard Drive for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations (MZ-V9P1T0B/AM)

1TB · M.2 2280 · $259.99/TB

$259.99Last verified 28 days ago
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WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB NVMe SSD - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS100T2X0E
ALTERNATIVE · WD_BLACK SN850X · Gen4

WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB NVMe SSD - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS100T2X0E

1TB · M.2 2280 · $247.90/TB

$247.90Last verified 28 days ago
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Crucial T500 PCIe Gen4 NVMe 1TB SSD, Up to 7,300MB/s, TLC NAND, Laptop & Desktop (PC) Compatible, for Creatives and Gamers, Solid State Drive, Includes 1Mo Adobe CC – CT1000T500SSD8
ALTERNATIVE · Crucial T500 · Gen4

Crucial T500 PCIe Gen4 NVMe 1TB SSD, Up to 7,300MB/s, TLC NAND, Laptop & Desktop (PC) Compatible, for Creatives and Gamers, Solid State Drive, Includes 1Mo Adobe CC – CT1000T500SSD8

1TB · M.2 2280 · $299.00/TB

$299.00Last verified 28 days ago
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TEAMGROUP T-Force G70 PRO Graphene Heatsink 2TB DRAM SLC Cache 3D TLC NAND NVMe InnoGrit PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 2280 Gaming Internal SSD Works with PS5 Read/Write 7400/6800 MB/s TM8FFH002T0C129
ALTERNATIVE · TEAMGROUP T-FORCE G70 PRO · Gen4

TEAMGROUP T-Force G70 PRO Graphene Heatsink 2TB DRAM SLC Cache 3D TLC NAND NVMe InnoGrit PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 2280 Gaming Internal SSD Works with PS5 Read/Write 7400/6800 MB/s TM8FFH002T0C129

2TB · M.2 2280 · $194.50/TB

$388.99Last verified 28 days ago
Check on Amazon ↗
Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 2TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280, Up to 14,700MB/s | NVMe Internal Solid State Hard Drive best for AI Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations (MZ VAP2T0B/AM)
ALTERNATIVE · Samsung 9100 PRO · Gen5

Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 2TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280, Up to 14,700MB/s | NVMe Internal Solid State Hard Drive best for AI Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations (MZ VAP2T0B/AM)

2TB · M.2 2280 · $199.50/TB

$399.00Last verified 28 days ago
Check on Amazon ↗

Amazon prices may change between verification and checkout. A retained last-verified price is not a fresh offer; an alternative is not guaranteed to be identical to the Lexar drive.

Choose a model

Lexar SSD compatibility finder

Use case, capacity, cooling and slot generation matter more than headline speeds. This guide does not substitute for an exact compatibility check.

Suggested model familyChoose your preferences

Actual availability and price must be verified.

Compare two offers

SSD price-per-TB calculator

Enter prices from the same marketplace and currency. This calculates a simple capacity-based comparison without inventing any live price.

Price per TBEnter two comparable offers

Compatibility and endurance still matter.

Detailed buying guide

Detailed Lexar SSD Buying Guide - NM1090 PRO, NM990, NM790 and NQ790 guide

Practical details that matter when comparing exact SSDs, capacities and configurations.

Which Lexar SSD family fits your actual workload?

Top sequential speed can matter in sustained large file movement but is not a direct measurement of game loading. The NM1090 PRO and NM990 use different caching approaches, so identify workload and motherboard before comparing peak MB/s.

NM790 and NQ790 are both Gen4 NVMe families, but their capacities, endurance and price positioning differ. Compare the capacity you plan to buy, not a 1TB result against a 4TB marketing number.

Heatsinks and device compatibility

A PS5 installation benefits from a fitting heatsink, while a laptop often cannot accommodate a tall preattached cooler. The NM790 bare and NM790 with Heatsink must be treated as separate buyable SKUs.

M.2 2280 denotes 22mm nominal width and 80mm length. It does not by itself prove that the motherboard has a free PCIe NVMe slot or that it can supply Gen5 speed.

Look past headline price

Price per TB is a useful first sorting tool, but compare new drives in the same currency and market, with similar warranty and endurance. A cheap mismatched listing should never become the best-value recommendation.

Observed price history starts when the catalogue has genuine offers. A freshly created page cannot honestly claim to know a 30-day low or historic discount.

More CloudZat Lexar price research

The existing Lexar MP44S price page remains in place and is linked rather than copied or overwritten.

Frequently asked questions

Which Lexar SSD is best for most gaming PCs?

NM790 can be a good Gen4 fit if the price is competitive. For Gen5 buyers, compare NM990 and NM1090 PRO with realistic workload expectations.

Can a Gen5 Lexar SSD work in a Gen4 slot?

PCIe NVMe generations are generally backward compatible on a supported NVMe M.2 slot, but the drive runs at the host slot speed. Verify firmware and cooling.

Does the Lexar SSD finder use live prices?

Recommendations are configuration guidance. Listed Amazon offers appear only after exact model, capacity and price observations are verified.

Specifications and references

Manufacturer information is linked for configuration checks. CloudZat has not independently benchmarked these drives.

CloudZat may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. Prices and availability can change. Product recommendations are based on model identity, capacity, fit, and documented observations, not a claimed personal hardware test.

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