Lexar NM790 vs Samsung 990 Pro for PS5
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Speed will not separate them in a console: each is above the 5,500 MB/s Sony recommends. What does is a DRAM cache, which favours the Samsung 990 Pro. If the NM790 is clearly cheaper per terabyte today, that is reason enough to choose it instead. On price, as of 21 October 2026: NM790 £152.00/TB, 990 Pro £212.44/TB. Today the NM790 is £60.44/TB cheaper at 2TB.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
NM790 vs 990 Pro: PS5 spec comparison
| Lexar NM790 | Samsung 990 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 | PCIe Gen4 |
| Read speed (up to) | 7,400 MB/s | 7,450 MB/s |
| Speed inside a PS5 | Gen4 link | Gen4 link |
| DRAM cache | No | Yes |
| NAND | TLC | TLC |
| Endurance per TB | 750 TBW | 600 TBW |
| Heatsink for PS5 | Version fits | Version fits (8.2mm) |
| Officially licensed | No | No |
| Largest size | 4TB | 4TB |
| Cheapest 2TB-class listing today | £303.99 (£152.00/TB) | £424.87 (£212.44/TB) |
Which should you buy for a PS5?
Speed will not separate them in a console: each is above the 5,500 MB/s Sony recommends. What does is a DRAM cache, which favours the Samsung 990 Pro. If the NM790 is clearly cheaper per terabyte today, that is reason enough to choose it instead.
On price, as of 21 October 2026: NM790 £152.00/TB, 990 Pro £212.44/TB. Today the NM790 is £60.44/TB cheaper at 2TB.
Choose by what matters to you
NM790
- A DRAM-less TLC drive.
- Compatible.
- Rated endurance: 750 TBW per terabyte.
990 Pro
- Samsung's Gen4 flagship.
- Compatible.
- Rated endurance: 600 TBW per terabyte.
Go deeper
Spec sheets and every listing in stock are on the individual pages for the Lexar NM790 and the Samsung 990 Pro. If neither appeals, the cheapest PS5 SSDs and all 2TB PS5 SSDs rank the alternatives, and PS5 SSDs with a heatsink narrows them to ready-to-fit drives. Other head-to-heads are linked from the model index; the criteria are in PS5 SSD requirements.
Compatible drives, live prices
Related comparisons and guides
More to read: All models, 2TB, With heatsink, Cheapest PS5 SSD, PS5 SSD requirements, Best value PS5 SSD.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lexar NM790 or the Samsung 990 Pro better for the PS5?
Speed will not separate them in a console: each is above the 5,500 MB/s Sony recommends. What does is a DRAM cache, which favours the Samsung 990 Pro. If the NM790 is clearly cheaper per terabyte today, that is reason enough to choose it instead.
Which is cheaper today, the NM790 or the 990 Pro?
On price, as of 21 October 2026: NM790 £152.00/TB, 990 Pro £212.44/TB. Today the NM790 is £60.44/TB cheaper at 2TB.
Do games load faster on the NM790 or the 990 Pro?
In practice they are level. The NM790 quotes 7,400 MB/s and the 990 Pro 7,450 MB/s, and both are past the point where extra speed shortens PS5 loading.
Do the NM790 and 990 Pro both fit the PS5 with a heatsink?
Lexar NM790: version fits. Samsung 990 Pro: version fits (8.2mm). Sony's limit is 11.25mm total thickness, so a bare drive needs a low-profile heatsink added.
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Last updated: 2026-10-21 00:03:24 UTC. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated on Amazon.co.uk and are subject to change. Any price displayed at the time of purchase will apply. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.