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Lexar EQ790 2TB specifications and in-depth review

Lexar EQ790 2TB

Manufacturer: Lexar

The Lexar EQ790 2TB is an M.2 form factor NVMe solid-state drive built around a PCIe 4.0 interface. It carries a sequential read speed of 7000 MB/s, making it a high-throughput option within the PCIe Gen 4 SSD category. The drive operates without an integrated heatsink or RGB lighting, keeping its profile straightforward and compatible with a wide range of motherboard configurations.

On the technical side, the EQ790 uses HMB (Host Memory Buffer) caching rather than dedicated DRAM, and adheres to the NVMe 1.4 specification. Sequential write speeds reach 5000 MB/s, and the drive records a PassMark SSD score of 39,538. Endurance is rated at 1200 TBW across its 2000 GB of usable storage, with an MTBF figure of 1.5 million hours and shock resistance up to 1500G. Lexar backs the drive with a five-year warranty.

Pros
  • Sequential read speed reaches 7000 MB/s, reflecting the upper boundary of PCIe Gen 4 throughput for sustained transfers
  • Sequential write speed of 5000 MB/s supports demanding write-intensive workloads without significant bottlenecking
  • A TBW rating of 1200 indicates solid long-term endurance for a 2TB drive
  • The five-year warranty provides an extended coverage period relative to many storage devices
  • Shock resistance rated at 1500G adds a degree of physical resilience for installed systems subject to vibration or impact
  • The M.2 form factor keeps the drive compact and compatible with standard motherboard slots without occupying a drive bay
Cons
  • Relies on HMB caching rather than dedicated DRAM, which can affect performance consistency under mixed or random workloads
  • No integrated heatsink is included, meaning thermal management depends entirely on the host system or a separately sourced cooler
  • NVMe version 1.4 is not the latest available specification, which may matter on platforms designed around newer NVMe standards
Who is this for?

The Lexar EQ790 2TB is well suited to users who need high sequential throughput for large file transfers, such as those working with video editing projects, game libraries, or data-intensive applications that benefit from PCIe 4.0 speeds. Its 2TB capacity and 1200 TBW endurance rating make it a practical fit for systems that see regular, sustained write activity over several years. The five-year warranty and 1500G shock resistance also make it a reasonable choice for desktop builds where long-term reliability matters more than premium caching architecture.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who prioritize consistent random read and write performance under mixed workloads may find the HMB caching approach limiting compared to drives equipped with dedicated DRAM, particularly in server-adjacent or prosumer environments with unpredictable I/O patterns. The absence of an integrated heatsink makes it less suitable for systems with restricted airflow or high thermal loads, where sustained workloads could lead to throttling without additional cooling. Those requiring the latest NVMe specification support on next-generation platforms may also find NVMe 1.4 a limiting factor.

Read speed:

sequential read speed 7000 MB/s

The Lexar EQ790 2TB achieves a sequential read speed of 7000 MB/s, placing it at the upper end of what the PCIe Gen 4 interface supports for sustained data transfers.

Write speed:

sequential write speed 5000 MB/s

The Lexar EQ790 2TB is rated for a sequential write speed of 5000 MB/s, reflecting solid sustained throughput for large sequential data writes over its PCIe Gen 4 connection.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result 39538

In PassMark testing, the Lexar EQ790 2TB recorded a PassMark SSD score of 39,538, providing a measurable reference point for evaluating its overall storage performance across the various read, write, and latency workloads that the benchmark covers.

General info:

type M2
SSD cache HMB (Host Memory Buffer)
Is an NVMe SSD ✓
NVMe version 1.4
internal storage 2000GB
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
Terabytes Written (TBW) 1200
MTBF 1.5million hours
warranty period 5 years
Has an integrated heatsink ✕
shock resistance 1500G
has RGB lighting ✕

The Lexar EQ790 2TB is an M.2 NVMe SSD conforming to the NVMe 1.4 specification and using a PCIe 4.0 interface, with 2000GB of internal storage managed through HMB (Host Memory Buffer) caching in place of dedicated DRAM. Endurance is rated at 1200 TBW, and reliability figures include an MTBF of 1.5 million hours alongside a shock resistance rating of 1500G. The drive carries a five-year warranty, and it ships without an integrated heatsink or RGB lighting.

Final Verdict

The Lexar EQ790 2TB sits comfortably within the capable tier of PCIe Gen 4 M.2 drives, offering a 7000 MB/s sequential read speed alongside a 1200 TBW endurance rating and a five-year warranty that together reflect a drive built for sustained, long-term use. Its reliance on HMB caching rather than dedicated DRAM and the absence of an integrated heatsink mean it is best deployed in well-cooled systems where workloads lean toward large sequential transfers rather than intensive random I/O. For users building or upgrading a desktop around PCIe 4.0 and needing a high-capacity drive with strong sequential credentials and solid reliability ratings, the EQ790 2TB presents a technically coherent option that delivers where its specifications are strongest.

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