Lexar EQ790 4TB specifications and in-depth review

Lexar EQ790 4TB

Manufacturer: Lexar

The Lexar EQ790 4TB is an internal M.2 NVMe solid-state drive designed for users who need substantial storage capacity alongside high data transfer performance. Built on a PCIe 4.0 interface, it operates under the NVMe 1.4 specification and uses a Host Memory Buffer cache architecture rather than dedicated DRAM, which keeps its physical footprint lean while still supporting efficient workloads. The drive ships without an integrated heatsink, so thermal management depends on the host system, and it carries no RGB lighting — keeping the focus squarely on function over aesthetics.

On the performance side, the EQ790 4TB is rated for sequential read speeds of up to 7000 MB/s and sequential write speeds reaching 6000 MB/s. The drive is rated to withstand shock up to 1500G, and Lexar specifies a mean time between failures of 1.5 million hours alongside a terabytes written rating of 2400 TBW for the 4TB capacity — figures that point to a reasonable long-term endurance profile. A five-year warranty period accompanies the drive.

Pros
  • Sequential read speed reaches 7000 MB/s, making large file transfers and load times noticeably faster for demanding workloads
  • Sequential write speed of 6000 MB/s supports sustained data writing at a high throughput ceiling
  • A 2400 TBW endurance rating for the 4TB capacity indicates a solid long-term write durability allowance
  • MTBF of 1.5 million hours reflects a strong reliability specification for daily use
  • The five-year warranty period offers extended coverage relative to many storage products
  • Shock resistance rated at 1500G provides meaningful protection against physical impact
Cons
  • No integrated heatsink, so thermal performance under sustained loads depends entirely on the host system's cooling
  • HMB cache relies on system RAM rather than dedicated onboard DRAM, which can limit caching consistency when system memory is under pressure
  • NVMe version 1.4 is present but not the latest available specification, which may matter to users building future-facing systems
  • No benchmark data is provided, making it harder to verify real-world performance against rated figures
Who is this for?

This drive suits users who regularly move or process large volumes of data, such as those working with high-resolution video files, large game libraries, or demanding storage-intensive applications — where the 7000 MB/s sequential read speed and 6000 MB/s sequential write speed can be meaningfully utilized. The 4TB capacity combined with a 2400 TBW endurance rating also makes it a practical fit for power users or content creators who need both generous storage room and durable long-term write performance in a single M.2 drive.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who run sustained, thermally demanding workloads should take note that the drive includes no integrated heatsink, meaning those operating in poorly ventilated cases or pushing continuous high-throughput tasks may encounter thermal throttling without additional cooling in their system. Additionally, users whose host systems have limited available RAM may find that the HMB cache architecture delivers less consistent caching behavior compared to drives with dedicated onboard DRAM, making this a less ideal fit for memory-constrained builds. Those seeking the very latest NVMe specification support may also find that NVMe version 1.4 falls short of their requirements if their platform is built around newer protocol features.

Read speed:

sequential read speed 7000 MB/s

The Lexar EQ790 4TB is rated for a sequential read speed of up to 7000 MB/s, reflecting the throughput ceiling for large, contiguous data reads under optimal conditions.

Write speed:

sequential write speed 6000 MB/s

The Lexar EQ790 4TB supports a sequential write speed of up to 6000 MB/s, representing the drive's rated ceiling for sustained, large-block write operations under ideal conditions.

Benchmarks:

General info:

type M2
SSD cache HMB (Host Memory Buffer)
Is an NVMe SSD
NVMe version 1.4
internal storage 4000GB
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
Terabytes Written (TBW) 2400
MTBF 1.5million hours
warranty period 5 years
Has an integrated heatsink
shock resistance 1500G
has RGB lighting

The Lexar EQ790 4TB is an M.2 NVMe SSD — confirming the NVMe 1.4 specification — with a total internal capacity of 4000GB and a PCIe 4.0 interface. It uses an HMB (Host Memory Buffer) cache architecture in place of dedicated onboard DRAM, relying on a portion of system memory for caching tasks. Endurance is rated at 2400 TBW, and the drive carries a mean time between failures of 1.5 million hours alongside a five-year warranty period. Physically, it offers shock resistance up to 1500G and ships without an integrated heatsink or RGB lighting.

Final Verdict

The Lexar EQ790 4TB is a high-throughput M.2 NVMe SSD that delivers on its core promise of fast, large-capacity storage, with sequential read and write speeds of 7000 MB/s and 6000 MB/s respectively placing it firmly in the upper tier of PCIe 4.0 drives. Backed by a 2400 TBW endurance rating, a 1.5 million hour MTBF, and a five-year warranty, it presents a reliable long-term storage option for users who need substantial capacity without compromise on throughput. The absence of a dedicated heatsink and the reliance on HMB caching mean it rewards thoughtful system pairing — particularly adequate airflow and sufficient available RAM — but for content creators, enthusiast builders, or storage-hungry power users who can meet those conditions, the EQ790 4TB is a well-specified and durable drive worth serious consideration.