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Lexar NM790 vs WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD

The Lexar NM790 is the better buy for almost everyone. It costs $199.99 at Adorama as of November 7, 2026, while the WD Black SN7100 is $589.00 at Best Buy on the same date. The NM790 is slightly faster on paper and comes in capacities up to 8 TB. The SN7100 only makes sense if you specifically want a single-sided WD drive for a tight laptop slot and can find it near its recent low of $59.99.

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Lexar
Lexar NM790

Lexar NM790

4.9(4,300 ratings)
See all prices and details

Choose the Lexar NM790 if you want the most speed and capacity per dollar, including a 4 TB or 8 TB drive for a PS5 or a big game library.

Pros
  • Fastest stated read speed of the pair at 7,400 MB/s.
  • Capacities up to 8 TB, far beyond the SN7100's usual range.
  • Listed for PS5 use, not just PC.
  • $199.99 at Adorama is far below the SN7100's current price.
  • 4.9 out of 5 from 4,300 ratings.
Cons
  • DRAM-less, so sustained writes can slow once the SLC cache fills.
  • Write speed is lower than the SN7100's on paper.
  • Not listed as single-sided, which matters in tight laptop slots.
Western Digital
Western Digital WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD

WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD

Western Digital WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD

4.8(1,700 ratings)
$589.00at Best BuyObserved at 8:51 AM
See all prices and details
Visit Best Buy

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Choose the WD Black SN7100 if you need a single-sided M.2 2280 drive for a thin laptop or handheld and can get it well under $100.

Pros
  • Higher stated write speed at 6,900 MB/s.
  • Single-sided design fits thin laptops and handhelds more easily.
  • Low stated power consumption.
  • Has sold as low as $59.99, so deals exist.
  • 4.8 out of 5 from 1,700 ratings.
Cons
  • $589.00 at Best Buy as of November 7, 2026 is far above its recent low.
  • Only 2 stores price it new, so competition is thin.
  • DRAM-less and non-SED encryption.
  • Listed compatibility is PC only, with no PS5 mention.
  • Smaller capacity range than the NM790.

What separates them

Lexar NM790WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD
Price as of November 7, 2026$199.99 at Adorama$589.00 at Best Buy
Stated sequential readUp to 7,400 MB/sUp to 7,250 MB/s
Stated sequential writeUp to 6,500 MB/sUp to 6,900 MB/s
Capacity range512 GB to 8 TBNot stated in the listing; commonly 500 GB to 4 TB
DRAM cacheDRAM-less, uses HMB 3.0 and Dynamic SLC CacheDRAM-less
Physical designM.2 2280, not stated as single-sidedM.2 2280, single-sided
Stated compatibilityDesktop, laptop and PlayStation 5PC
Ratings4.9 out of 5 from 4,300 ratings4.8 out of 5 from 1,700 ratings

Price history

$589.00$59.99
Nov 2Nov 7
  • Lexar NM790: lowest $199.99 on Nov 3 at Walmart; $199.99 on Nov 6.
  • WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD: lowest $59.99 on Nov 3 at Swede Things in America; $589.00 on Nov 7.

Prices at every store

Lexar NM790

  • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • Verdi.comCheck price at Verdi.com
Prices and history →

WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $589.00Free shippingObserved at 8:51 AM
    Visit Best Buy
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $599.99Free shippingObserved at 8:51 AM
    Visit Newegg

Also available at

  • AntonlineCheck price at Antonline
  • AAAwaveCheck price at AAAwave
  • eBayCheck price at eBay

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecLexar NM790WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD
TypeInternalNVMe SSD
Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280
Read Speed7,400 MB/s7250 MB/s
ConnectionM.2—
ColorBlack, Gray—
NVMeYes—
Capacity512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB—
Use—Internal
Device Compatibility—PC
Interface—NVMe
Wireless Connectivity—No
Write Speed—6900 MB/s
Show all 21 specsShow fewer specs
SpecLexar NM790WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD
NVMe Support—Yes
PCIe Support—Yes
Cache—DRAM-less
Data Encryption—NON-SED
Security Highlights—Supports TRIM functions, Supports ECC, Supports…
Design Highlights—Single-sided
Typical Users—Gamers
Removable—No
Power Consumption—Low power consumption

What reviewers say

Lexar NM790

  • 4.9 / 54,300 ratings

Reviewers and owners rate the Lexar NM790 highly for its fast read speeds and compatibility with PS5 and PCs. Many praise its value, though some note that write speeds can slow during prolonged writes due to its DRAM-less design.

What people mention
  • SpeedPraisedUsers highlight the fast read speeds, especially for gaming and large file transfers.
  • PS5 compatibilityPraisedMany mention it works perfectly in the PlayStation 5 for expanded storage.
  • ValuePraisedReviewers often say it offers great performance for the price.
  • Write performanceMixedSome note that write speeds can slow during large sustained writes due to the lack of DRAM.

WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD

  • 4.8 / 51,700 ratings

Rated 4.8 out of 5 from about 1,700 ratings, buyers mostly report fast load times and easy installation. Complaints center on sustained-write behavior and the lack of encryption rather than everyday speed.

What people mention
  • SpeedPraisedOwners say game loads and large file copies feel much quicker than older drives.
  • Sustained writesMixedBurst speeds are high, but some note slower writes during very long transfers.
  • InstallationPraisedThe single-sided M.2 2280 shape makes it easy to fit in laptops and consoles.
  • ThermalsPraised
Reviews
  • The Best PCI Express NVMe Solid State Drives (SSDs) for 2026

Questions and answers

Which is better for a PS5?
The Lexar NM790. Lexar lists PlayStation 5 compatibility, and the drive reaches 7,400 MB/s read. The SN7100 listing names PC only.
Is the WD Black SN7100 worth the extra money?
Not at $589.00 at Best Buy as of November 7, 2026. The NM790 is $199.99 at Adorama and is faster on stated read speed. The SN7100 only wins on write speed and its single-sided build.
Which one is faster?
The NM790 reads faster at up to 7,400 MB/s versus 7,250 MB/s. The SN7100 writes faster at up to 6,900 MB/s versus 6,500 MB/s. Real-world game loads will feel close.
Which fits a thin laptop?
The SN7100 is listed as single-sided, which suits tight M.2 slots. The NM790 is not described as single-sided, so check clearance before buying for a slim laptop.
Do either have a DRAM cache?
No. Both are DRAM-less. The NM790 uses HMB 3.0 and Dynamic SLC Cache to offset that, and the SN7100 relies on the same host memory approach.
Which has more capacity options?
The NM790, which comes in 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB and 8 TB. The SN7100 listing does not state its capacities.

More comparisons

  • Lexar NM790 vs Samsung 990 Solid State Drive
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  • WD 4TB Blue SN5000 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD vs Lexar NM790
  • Lexar NM790 vs Western Digital WD Black SN850X 4TB NVMe M.2 SSD
  • Lexar NM790 vs Crucial T710 Internal SSD
  • Transcend Solid State Drive vs Western Digital WD Black SN7100 NVMe SSD

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best 4TB internal SSDs
  • Best 1TB internal SSDs
Reviewers report it runs cool under normal gaming loads.