Description
Lexar NQ790 512GB-4TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD :
Buying Guide & Review
PC gamers and PlayStation 5 owners have more in common than they think: both are always running out of fast storage. The Lexar NQ790 512GB-4TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD answers both groups with one drive, offering top-tier Gen4 speeds for a desktop build and official PS5 compatibility for console expansion.
In this guide we look at how the NQ790 performs in each role, what its specs actually mean, and how to choose the right capacity for your setup in Pakistan.
1. Why Choose the Lexar NQ790?
One Drive, Two Platforms
Few SSDs are marketed equally for PCs and consoles. The NQ790 is listed as PS5 compatible, so you can buy it for your gaming PC today and move it to a PlayStation later, or the other way round.
High-End Gen4 Numbers
Lexar rates the drive at up to 7000MB/s read and 6000MB/s write over a PCIe 4.0 x4 link. That is right at the upper end of what Gen4 can do, which means very little is left on the table.
Pair that with the 2-year local warranty and the choice of capacities, and you have a drive that feels premium without the premium branding.
2. Build and Physical Design
The Familiar 2280 Size
The NQ790 is a standard M.2 2280 drive, the size nearly every modern motherboard, many laptops and the PS5 expansion bay accept.
Cooling Is Up to You
The drive does not come with its own heatsink. On a PC, use your motherboard’s M.2 cover. For the PS5, Sony recommends a heatsink or heat spreader on expansion SSDs, so plan to add a slim one that fits the bay.
3. Lexar NQ790 Specs Explained
HMB and SLC Caching
Host Memory Buffer borrows a small portion of system memory to help the drive find data quickly, while an SLC cache accepts incoming writes at high speed. These two features keep everyday tasks and game installs moving briskly.
Capacity Choices
Options run from 512GB to 4TB. For a PS5, 1TB or 2TB is a sensible middle ground. On a PC, 1TB is the realistic minimum for gaming, and 2TB or 4TB suits big libraries and creative projects.
4. PC Gaming Performance
Faster Loads, Quicker Installs
Moving games from a hard drive or SATA SSD to the NQ790 shortens loading screens and speeds up patches and installs. Open-world titles that stream data constantly benefit most from fast NVMe storage.
Ready for DirectStorage-Era Games
As more PC games are built around fast NVMe drives, having a high-speed Gen4 SSD helps keep your system ready for newer releases.
It is also worth remembering that storage speed shapes how a PC feels rather than how many frames it renders. Your graphics card decides the frame rate; the NQ790 decides how long you stare at a loading bar, how fast textures stream in, and how quickly you are back in the match after a crash or restart.
5. Using the NQ790 in a PS5
Expanding Console Storage
The PS5’s internal storage fills quickly with modern games. Adding an NQ790 to the expansion slot lets you keep more titles installed and play PS5 games directly from it.
Installation Tips
Update your PS5 system software first, fit a suitable heat spreader, and follow Sony’s guide for the expansion bay. The console formats the drive during setup, so move anything important off it beforehand.
Measure before you buy a heatsink. The expansion bay has limited height, and a chunky desktop-style cooler will not let the cover close. Thin aluminium heat spreaders made for the PS5 are widely available and are the safer choice for this drive.
6. Pakistan Buyer Perspective
Saving Bandwidth and Time
With data caps and uneven internet speeds in many areas, re-downloading a 100GB game is painful. A roomy NQ790 lets you keep more games installed instead of deleting and downloading again.
Heat, Power and Warranty
Keep the PC or console in a ventilated spot during summer and run it on a UPS during load-shedding. The drive also comes with a 2-year local warranty with replacement or refund, which is reassuring for a drive holding your saves and projects.
7. Lexar NQ790 Price in Pakistan and Value
Premium Speed, Reasonable Cost
The NQ790 offers speeds close to flagship Gen4 drives while generally costing less than big gaming brands. That makes it a strong value option for both PC and console gamers.
Choosing Your Capacity Wisely
When checking the Lexar NQ790 price in Pakistan, compare cost per terabyte. The 2TB version often gives the best balance for gamers who want space for many titles.
8. Who Should Buy the Lexar NQ790?
Best Suited For
PS5 owners expanding storage, PC gamers on PCIe 4.0 boards, creators needing fast scratch space, and buyers upgrading from SATA.
Maybe Not For You If
You need a drive with a pre-installed heatsink for plug-and-play PS5 use, or you only need basic storage for office tasks where a cheaper drive will do.
Conclusion
The Lexar NQ790 512GB-4TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD combines up to 7000MB/s reads and 6000MB/s writes with HMB and SLC caching in a standard 2280 package. Its PS5 compatibility makes it unusually flexible.
For gamers who want one fast drive that can move between PC and console, and a 2-year local warranty behind it, the NQ790 is an easy recommendation.
FAQs
1. Is the Lexar NQ790 compatible with the PS5?
Yes. It is listed as PS5 compatible. Sony recommends using a heatsink or heat spreader for expansion SSDs.
2. Does it come with a heatsink?
No. It is a bare M.2 2280 drive, so use your motherboard’s M.2 heatsink or add a slim one for the PS5.
3. What speeds does it offer?
Up to 7000MB/s sequential read and 6000MB/s sequential write, depending on capacity.
4. Does it work on PCIe 3.0 motherboards?
Yes, it is backward compatible, but speeds are limited to Gen3 levels.
5. What is the Lexar NQ790 price in Pakistan?
Prices vary with capacity and exchange rates. See the current Lexar NQ790 price in Pakistan on this page or contact MHK Tech Zone on WhatsApp for the latest rate.
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