⚡Quick Answer+

Lexar (owned by Longsys) leverages in-house NAND manufacturing to deliver flagship speeds at 20-30% below competitors. The NM790 offers 7,400 MB/s Gen4 at budget prices - the PS5 community favorite. DRAM-less design has minimal gaming impact. Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, PS5 expansion, anyone willing to look beyond brand names for value.

Key Takeaways:

Longsys ownership = vertical integration
20-30% cheaper than competitors
NM790: Best budget Gen4 value
DRAM-less but fine for gaming
PS5 community favorite

Lexar has transformed from a memory card brand into a serious SSD contender. Now owned by Longsys, one of China's largest flash memory manufacturers, Lexar leverages in-house NAND production to deliver remarkable value - often 20-30% cheaper than comparable drives while matching performance.

The NM790 exemplifies this approach: 7,400 MB/s Gen4 speeds at prices that undercut nearly everyone. By manufacturing their own 232-layer NAND, Lexar achieves Samsung-level specs without Samsung-level pricing. The trade-off is brand recognition - Lexar lacks the prestige of established names.

For budget-conscious enthusiasts, PS5 owners, and anyone who researches beyond brand names, Lexar represents exceptional value. The 5-year warranty demonstrates confidence in their products, and community feedback has been consistently positive.

Why Choose Lexar?

Longsys Vertical Integration

Parent company manufactures NAND flash. Supply chain advantages translate to lower prices.

Cost Leadership

Aggressive Pricing

Consistently 20-30% below comparable drives. Best-in-class dollar-per-performance ratio.

Budget Champion

232-Layer NAND

Latest generation flash technology. Matches flagship drives on component quality.

Modern Tech

5-Year Warranty

Matches premium brands on warranty coverage. Lexar stands behind their products.

Peace of Mind

Positive Community Feedback

Growing reputation in enthusiast communities. Recommended across Reddit, forums, and review sites.

Community Trust

PS5 Value King

NM790 + $10 heatsink = best-value PS5 expansion. Community favorite for console upgrades.

Console Ready

Lexar SSD Product Lines

Product Line	Interface	Max Speed	Capacities	Best For
NM790	NVMe Gen4	7,400 MB/s	512GB - 4TB	Best value Gen4, PS5, gaming
NM760	NVMe Gen4	5,300 MB/s	256GB - 2TB	Mid-range Gen4, laptops
NM710	NVMe Gen4	5,000 MB/s	250GB - 2TB	Budget Gen4, everyday use
NM620	NVMe Gen3	3,500 MB/s	256GB - 2TB	Gen3 systems, budget builds
NM800 Pro	NVMe Gen4	7,500 MB/s	512GB - 2TB	Includes heatsink, PS5 ready
NS100	SATA	550 MB/s	128GB - 2TB	HDD replacement, older systems
Professional SL600	Portable USB	2,000 MB/s	512GB - 2TB	External portable storage

NM790: The Budget Champion

The NM790 has become Lexar's flagship value proposition:

7,400 MB/s sequential - matches Crucial T500 and Samsung 990 Pro tier
20-30% cheaper than comparable drives
232-layer Longsys TLC - excellent quality NAND
DRAM-less (HMB) - cost savings, minimal gaming impact
PS5 community favorite - add $10 heatsink for best-value expansion

The NM790 proves you do not need to pay premium prices for premium speeds. For gaming and PS5, it performs identically to drives costing 30% more.

Understanding DRAM-less Design

Several Lexar drives use HMB (Host Memory Buffer) instead of dedicated DRAM cache:

Minimal Impact:

Gaming and PS5 performance - virtually identical to DRAM drives
Boot times and application loading - no noticeable difference
Large file transfers - sequential operations unaffected

Where DRAM Helps:

Heavy multitasking with many small random operations
Database and VM workloads
Professional content creation with complex workflows

Bottom line: For most consumers, DRAM-less Lexar drives perform excellently. The cost savings are passed to you without meaningful compromise for typical use.

NM800 Pro: Heatsink Included

For users wanting a complete PS5-ready package, the NM800 Pro includes a heatsink:

7,500 MB/s sequential - marginally faster than NM790
Heatsink included - PS5 ready out of box
DRAM cache - full performance architecture
Higher price - premium over NM790 + aftermarket heatsink

Value math: NM790 + $10 heatsink often costs less than NM800 Pro while providing similar performance. NM800 Pro makes sense for convenience seekers who want one-stop shopping.

All Lexar SSD Prices - Sorted by $/TB

Compare all Lexar drives. Prices updated hourly from Amazon.

Product	Capacity	Price	$ / TB	Price Drop	Brand	Interface

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lexar a reliable SSD brand?

Yes, Lexar is reputable. Owned by Longsys, a major Chinese flash manufacturer with vertical integration. They produce their own NAND and have decades of memory product experience. 5-year warranty and positive community feedback demonstrate reliability.

Is Lexar NM790 good for PS5?

Excellent for PS5 - community favorite. The NM790 exceeds Sony requirements with 7,400 MB/s speeds. Add a $10 heatsink and you have the best-value PS5 expansion. DRAM-less design has zero impact on PS5 performance.

Why is Lexar so cheap?

Longsys (Lexar's parent) manufactures their own NAND, reducing costs. DRAM-less designs save component cost. Lower brand recognition means less marketing markup. The savings are passed to consumers for market share growth. Quality is not sacrificed.

NM790 vs NM800 Pro?

NM800 Pro includes heatsink and DRAM, with marginally faster speeds (7,500 vs 7,400 MB/s). For PS5 and gaming, both perform nearly identically. NM790 + $10 aftermarket heatsink usually costs less while matching performance.

Which Lexar SSD should I buy?

NM790 for most users. Best value Gen4 with flagship speeds. NM800 Pro if you want heatsink included. NM620 for Gen3 systems or extreme budget constraints. NS100 for SATA-only systems.