Lexar M.2 NVMe SSD Buyer’s Guide for PC, Gaming, and PS5

By the Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, 14 July 2026

Long loading times, limited storage space, or a system struggling to keep up with modern applications—these are challenges familiar to many PC users and gamers. Upgrading your storage with a Lexar M.2 NVMe SSD can be an effective solution. However, the range of options is vast, and the technical specifications can seem complex at first glance.

This article serves as your guide. I, the Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, will introduce various Lexar models and explain their key differences. This will empower you to make an informed decision perfectly tailored to your requirements—whether for gaming, professional applications, or a console storage upgrade.

What to Look for When Choosing an M.2 NVMe SSD

Before we dive into specific models, here are some fundamental criteria to guide your selection.

1. The PCIe Generation: Gen3, Gen4, or Gen5?

The PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface determines the maximum transfer speed of your SSD.

• PCIe 3.0 (Gen3): Offers solid speeds for everyday tasks and gaming. A fast SSD for PC upgrades on older systems, providing excellent value for money.
• PCIe 4.0 (NVMe Gen4): The current standard for modern PCs and the PlayStation 5. These drives deliver significantly higher read and write speeds, which noticeably reduces loading times in games and when editing large files. They are a popular choice for a PS5 SSD expansion.
• PCIe 5.0 (Gen5): The latest generation for enthusiasts and professionals. A PCIe 5.0 SSD requires a compatible motherboard and CPU and is designed for extremely data-intensive tasks like AI development or 8K video editing.

2. The Right Capacity: 1TB or 2TB?

The storage capacity you need depends directly on your usage habits.

• 1TB Internal SSD: A capacity of 1 terabyte is often a great starting point. It provides ample space for the operating system, essential programs, and a moderate number of games or projects.
• 2TB M.2 SSD: For avid gamers with a large game library, content creators working with high-resolution video footage, or users looking to future-proof their system, a 2TB SSD is a worthwhile investment.

3. Understanding Technical Performance Metrics

Two metrics are particularly relevant:

• Sequential Read/Write Speed (MB/s): This indicates how quickly large, contiguous files can be read or written. High values are beneficial for launching programs, loading game levels, and copying large amounts of data.
• TBW (Terabytes Written): This value describes the guaranteed total amount of data that an SSD can handle over its lifespan. A higher TBW value indicates greater durability under heavy use.

Top Lexar M.2 NVMe Picks

Here is a selection of Lexar SSDs suitable for different use cases and budgets.

Lexar NQ790 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD

What Makes It Stand Out: The Lexar NQ790 is a high-performance NVMe Gen4 SSD that combines high speeds with a generous 2TB capacity. With read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,000 MB/s (manufacturer's specification), it is designed to drastically reduce loading times in demanding applications and games. Technologies like HMB (Host Memory Buffer) and SLC Caching help to optimise performance.

Advantages:

• Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe 1.4
• Capacity: 2TB
• Sequential Read: Up to 7,000 MB/s
• Sequential Write: Up to 6,000 MB/s
• Endurance: 1200 TBW

Who Is It For? This model is an excellent choice for PC gamers and content creators looking for a fast SSD for PC systems with PCIe 4.0. Thanks to its high performance and capacity, it is also a suitable foundation for a PS5 SSD expansion (a separate heatsink is required for installation in the console).

View the Lexar NQ790 2TB on Joybuy.de

Lexar ARES PRO 1TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD

What Makes It Stand Out: The Lexar ARES PRO represents the pinnacle of current storage technology. As a PCIe 5.0 SSD, it delivers sequential read speeds of up to 14,000 MB/s, according to the manufacturer. It is engineered for the most demanding workloads, including AI applications, professional video editing, and AAA gaming on the latest generation systems. An integrated graphite heat spreader and Thermal Defender technology assist with thermal management under heavy load.

Advantages:

• Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0
• Capacity: 1TB
• Sequential Read: Up to 14,000 MB/s
• Sequential Write: Up to 7,500 MB/s
• Compatibility: Backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 slots

Who Is It For? The ARES PRO is aimed at power users, AI developers, and PC enthusiasts who own a system with PCIe 5.0 support and require maximum performance for next-generation applications. It is an investment in tomorrow's performance.

View the Lexar ARES PRO 1TB on Joybuy.de

Lexar NM620 1TB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD

What Makes It Stand Out: The Lexar NM620 is a reliable and cost-effective 1TB internal SSD with a PCIe 3.0 interface. It offers a significant speed boost compared to traditional SATA SSDs, making it an ideal upgrade for older PCs or as a fast boot drive in a new build. With read speeds of up to 3,300 MB/s (manufacturer's specification), it noticeably accelerates the operating system and everyday applications.

Advantages:

• Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe 1.4
• Capacity: 1TB
• Sequential Read: Up to 3,300 MB/s
• Sequential Write: Up to 3,000 MB/s
• Technology: LDPC error correction for enhanced data reliability

Who Is It For? This model is ideal for PC users looking to upgrade from an old hard drive or a SATA SSD and want a solid performance boost on a budget. It is perfectly suited as a system drive or for general SSD for gaming on systems that do not have PCIe 4.0.

View the Lexar NM620 1TB on Joybuy.de

Explore More Options

If these recommendations don't include the perfect model for your specific needs, or if you're looking for different capacities, you can find more options in our broader selection.

Discover Our Entire Range of Hard Drives & SSDs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is a Lexar M.2 NVMe SSD compatible with my PlayStation 5? For a PS5 SSD expansion, you need an M.2 NVMe SSD with a PCIe 4.0 interface that meets the minimum speeds specified by Sony. Models like the Lexar NQ790 are technically suitable. It's important to note that for installation in the PS5, a separate heatsink must be installed to regulate heat dissipation.

2. What is the difference between NVMe and SATA SSDs? The main difference lies in the interface and speed. NVMe SSDs use the M.2 form factor and the fast PCIe interface, which communicates directly with the CPU. SATA SSDs use an older, slower interface. As a result, NVMe drives achieve multiples of the speed of SATA SSDs and are the top choice for a fast SSD for PC systems.

3. Do I really need a PCIe 5.0 SSD? A PCIe 5.0 SSD is currently only relevant for a niche group of users who have the latest hardware (CPU and motherboard) and require extreme transfer rates for professional tasks like processing huge datasets or 8K video production. For most users, including the majority of gamers and content creators, an NVMe Gen4 SSD offers more than enough performance for a smooth and responsive system.