Does the Lexar NQ790 work in a PS5?
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Works and meets spec. Rated at 7,000 MB/s read, above Sony's 5,500 MB/s recommendation. Sold bare, so add a heatsink. It currently sells from £159.99.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
How the Lexar NQ790 measures up
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| PS5 compatible | Yes |
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, M.2 2280 |
| Sequential read (up to) | 7,000 MB/s |
| Sequential write (up to) | 6,000 MB/s |
| Sony's recommended read speed | 5,500 MB/s or faster |
| DRAM cache | No (host memory buffer) |
| Endurance | About 600 TBW per TB (1,200 TBW at 2TB) |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Capacities | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Heatsink version | No, sold bare |
| Officially PlayStation-licensed | No |
| Launched | 2024 |
Figures are the maker's published "up to" ratings, checked October 2026 against the maker's spec sheet.
Why the Lexar NQ790 works
Checked against Sony's M.2 SSD requirements, the Lexar NQ790 passes: it is Gen4 NVMe and rated at 7,000 MB/s. Doubt usually comes from confusing it with a slower relative.
A budget DRAM-less drive. Sources disagree on whether it uses TLC or QLC flash, so do not buy it for heavy write workloads. For PS5 game storage its read speed is what matters.
Cooling the NQ790 in a PS5
There is no heatsink edition of the Lexar NQ790. You will need to fit a slim M.2 heatsink before installing it, because Sony does not permit an uncooled drive. Sony's limit is 11.25mm total thickness and 25mm width (see Sony's M.2 SSD requirements).
Coolers sold for the job are listed under standalone PS5 heatsinks; the measurement itself is explained in the 11.25mm height guide.
Where to go next
Every rule a drive has to meet is set out in PS5 SSD requirements; the short version is which SSD is compatible with the PS5. Look up another drive on the PS5 SSD model index or browse Lexar drives that pass. Fitted a drive that does not show up? Try PS5 SSD not detected.
Live listings of this model
Related comparisons and guides
Useful next steps: PS5 SSD requirements, Which SSD is compatible?, Cheapest PS5 SSD, Read speed too slow warning, All models, 2TB.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Lexar NQ790 work in a PS5?
Yes. Works and meets spec. Rated at 7,000 MB/s read, above Sony's 5,500 MB/s recommendation. Sold bare, so add a heatsink.
Will the PS5 show a warning with the Lexar NQ790?
It should not. After formatting, the PS5 displays the measured read speed, and a drive rated at 7,000 MB/s normally reports well above Sony's recommended figure.
What should I buy instead of the NQ790?
None is needed. This drive passes. Look elsewhere only if you would rather have a heatsink fitted at the factory.
What about the NQ790 in a PS5 Pro or Slim?
Identical. Sony publishes one set of M.2 requirements for the PS5, the Slim and the Pro.
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Last updated: 2026-10-12 20:26:19 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.