Lexar M.2 NVMe SSD Buyer's Guide and Recommendations

Choosing an internal SSD is a fundamental decision for the performance of a computer system or gaming console. A Lexar M.2 NVMe SSD uses the M.2 form factor and the NVMe protocol to communicate directly with the CPU via the PCIe interface. This results in significantly higher data transfer rates compared to older SATA-based drives. Selecting the right model depends on the user's specific requirements, existing hardware, and budget.

Buyer's Guide: Technical Criteria for Selecting an M.2 NVMe SSD

The decision to purchase a Solid State Drive should be based on an analysis of objective technical parameters. The following criteria are relevant for your selection.

PCIe Generation: A Comparison of Gen3, Gen4, and Gen5

The PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) generation defines the maximum theoretical bandwidth of the interface.

• PCIe Gen 3: Offers speeds of up to approx. 3,500 MB/s. This generation is a cost-effective option for upgrading older systems or for users whose workloads do not require extremely high transfer rates.
• PCIe Gen 4: Doubles the bandwidth to up to approx. 7,500 MB/s. A PCIe Gen 4 SSD is the current standard for modern gaming PCs and PS5 SSD expansions. It offers a balanced price-to-performance ratio for demanding applications.
• PCIe Gen 5: Enables speeds exceeding 12,000 MB/s. A PCIe Gen 5 SSD is aimed at users with extreme performance demands, such as professional 8K video editing, complex AI computations, or in future-proof high-end systems. Compatibility is limited to the latest motherboard and CPU platforms.

Capacity: The Right Amount of Storage for Your Needs

The required storage capacity depends directly on the use case.

• 1TB SSD: A popular size for the operating system, essential applications, and a moderate number of games or projects.
• 2TB SSD: Provides ample space for extensive game libraries or large quantities of media files. A great choice for most gamers and content creators.
• 4TB SSD: Ideal for professional users working with very large datasets (e.g., uncompressed video footage) or for enthusiasts who want to consolidate their entire software and game collection onto a single, high-speed drive.

Compatibility and Cooling

Before purchasing, you must check the compatibility of the M.2 slot on your motherboard or console. Most modern motherboards support M.2 2280 NVMe drives. For PCIe Gen4 and Gen5 SSDs in particular, adequate cooling with a heatsink is required to prevent thermal throttling under load and ensure consistent performance.

Our Selection of Lexar M.2 NVMe SSDs

Based on technical specifications and different user profiles, we present three models from the Lexar portfolio.

Lexar NM620 2TB: The Value-Oriented PCIe 3.0 Solution

Why We Recommend This Product The Lexar NM620, with 2TB SSD capacity, delivers solid performance based on the PCIe Gen3x4 interface. It represents a significant upgrade over traditional SATA SSDs or hard drives and is suitable for systems that do not require or support the maximum speeds of Gen4 or Gen5.

Advantages

• Interface: PCIe Gen3x4 NVMe
• Read Speed: Up to 3,300 MB/s
• Write Speed: Up to 1,300 MB/s
• Capacity: 2,000 GB (2 TB)
• Technology: 3D NAND Flash for high storage density

Who It's For This model is designed for PC users and gamers looking to upgrade a system with PCIe 3.0 support who are seeking excellent value. It is a fitting choice for everyday use, office applications, and less demanding games.

Lexar NM790 4TB: High Capacity for Gaming and PS5

Why We Recommend This Product The Lexar NM790 with 4TB SSD capacity almost fully utilises the PCIe Gen 4 interface, offering high performance for demanding applications. Its specifications make it an excellent choice as a gaming SSD and for expanding the storage of a PlayStation 5.

Advantages

• Interface: PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe 1.4
• Read Speed: Up to 7,400 MB/s
• Write Speed: Up to 6,500 MB/s
• Capacity: 4,000 GB (4 TB)
• Compatibility: Fully compatible with PS5 requirements (heatsink required)

Who It's For This drive is aimed at PC enthusiasts, gamers with large game libraries, and content creators working with 4K video files. It is the ideal choice for users who need high capacity and fast loading times for their PC SSD or PS5.

Lexar Professional NM1090 Pro 1TB: Performance for Future-Forward Workloads

Why We Recommend This Product The Lexar NM1090 Pro is a PCIe Gen 5 SSD designed for maximum data transfer rates. It is intended for professional users and early adopters who need the latest technology for extremely data-intensive tasks such as AI workloads, real-time 3D rendering, or 8K video editing.

Advantages

• Interface: PCIe Gen5x4 NVMe
• Read Speed: Up to 14,000 MB/s
• Write Speed: Up to 13,000 MB/s
• Capacity: 1,000 GB (1 TB)
• Technologies: Supports DirectStorage, advanced thermal management

Who It's For This model is designed for professionals and enthusiasts with a compatible system (a current CPU and motherboard with a PCIe 5.0 slot). It is the choice for users who want to make no compromises on storage performance and wish to equip their system for future demands.

Discover More Storage Solutions

If the models presented here do not exactly meet your requirements, you can find a broader selection of storage solutions in our main category. There, you can compare different capacities and performance tiers to find the perfect product for your system.

Discover more models in the PC Internal SSD Storage category

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Will a Lexar M.2 NVMe SSD fit in a PlayStation 5? Yes, models like the Lexar NM790 are fully compatible with the PlayStation 5. The console requires a PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSD with a read speed of at least 5,500 MB/s. It is mandatory to use a heatsink to prevent overheating and performance throttling during operation.

2. What is the practical difference between PCIe Gen 4 and PCIe Gen 5 SSDs? The main difference lies in the maximum transfer speed. While a PCIe Gen 4 SSD reaches speeds of up to approx. 7,500 MB/s, a PCIe Gen 5 SSD can deliver over 12,000 MB/s. In practice, this primarily benefits very specific, professional applications, such as processing extremely large files. For everyday tasks and most games, the differences are currently less noticeable, as software often does not yet fully utilise the speed of Gen5.

3. Does my M.2 SSD need a heatsink? For PCIe Gen3 SSDs, a heatsink is generally optional but can promote longevity and consistent performance. For PCIe Gen4 and especially PCIe Gen5 SSDs, a heatsink is highly recommended or even mandatory. These drives generate significant heat under load, which leads to performance throttling without adequate cooling. Many motherboards already come with integrated M.2 heatsinks.

Authored by: Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer