Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD vs WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against NVMe SSDs at a similar price

The Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD scores 7.9/10 overall, ahead of the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD at 7.0/10.

The Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD leads on performance, endurance, efficiency and thermals and software.

They score the same on warranty.

Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD

7.9/10verdict: buy

The Lexar NM790 suits people who want a fast PCIe Gen 4 2TB drive for a desktop, laptop or small homelab machine. It is aimed at buyers who value long rated endurance, a five-year warranty and low power draw. It is less well matched to anyone who regularly moves very large files and wants perfectly even speeds.

Typically about £129.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD

7.0/10verdict: buy

The WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB is for buyers who want a PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 2280 drive with low power draw. It suits desktops and Windows machines where the Dashboard software is usable. Linux and macOS users, and anyone who needs a heatsink variant, should read the limitations first.

Typically about £270 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD	WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD
Performance	35%	8/10	7/10
Endurance	20%	9/10	8/10
Warranty	15%	9/10	9/10
Efficiency and thermals	15%	8/10	7/10
Software	15%	5/10	4/10
Overall		7.9/10	7.0/10

Specifications

Spec	Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD	WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD
Interface	PCIe Gen4 x4, NVMe	PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe
Sequential read	up to 7400 MB/s	7,250 MB/s (up to)
Sequential write	up to 6500 MB/s	6,900 MB/s (up to)
Endurance (2TB)	1500 TBW (2TB)	1,200 TBW (2TB)
Form factor	M.2 2280	M.2 2280
Warranty	five-year limited warranty	5-year limited (or Max Endurance TBW limit, whichever occurs first)

Strengths and weaknesses

Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD

+ 1500 TBW rating at 2TB
+ Five-year limited warranty
+ Owners report low power draw and cool running
− HMB gives uneven large-file copy speeds, owners say
− Some owners report stutter in games

Skip it if:

Buyers who regularly copy very large files and need perfectly even speeds
Gamers sensitive to the stutter some owners report
Anyone who needs a published power draw figure in watts

Read the full Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD review ›

WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD

+ Rated 7,250 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write
+ 1,200 TBW and a five-year warranty
+ Low measured power draw during transfers
− Dashboard software is Windows-only
− No heatsink variant listed
− Owner complaints about laptop idle power and ASPM

Skip it if:

Linux or macOS users who want manufacturer health-monitoring software
Buyers who want a drive with a factory-fitted heatsink
Laptop owners who prioritise the lowest possible idle power

Read the full WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD review ›

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