Lexar has unveiled the NM990 M.2 2280 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD, delivering staggering sequential read speeds up to 14,000 MB/s and writes up to 11,000 MB/s. Available in 1 TB–4 TB capacities, the drive boasts advanced thermal management, Microsoft DirectStorage support, and high endurance ratings designed for gamers, content creators, and AI workloads.
Key Takeaways
- PCIe Gen 5.0 M.2 2280 form factor
- Sequential read up to 14,000 MB/s; write up to 11,000 MB/s
- DRAM cache with SLC dynamic caching; up to 2 M read IOPS, 1.5 M write IOPS
- Graphite heat dissipation layer with Thermal Defender—23% better power efficiency
- Microsoft DirectStorage support; endurance up to 3,000 TBW (4 TB); five-year warranty
Performance And Specifications
The NM990 series offers three capacity options optimized for different workloads:
| Capacity | Sequential Read | Sequential Write | Random Read IOPS | Random Write IOPS | Endurance (TBW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 TB | 14,000 MB/s | 7,500 MB/s | Up to 2 M | Up to 1.5 M | 750 |
| 2 TB | 14,000 MB/s | 10,000 MB/s | Up to 2 M | Up to 1.5 M | 1,500 |
| 4 TB | 14,000 MB/s | 11,000 MB/s | Up to 2 M | Up to 1.5 M | 3,000 |
Thermal Management And Durability
Lexar’s Thermal Defender technology keeps temperatures in check during intense workloads:
- Graphite heat dissipation layer reduces thermal throttling
- Up to 23% improvement in power efficiency over previous generations
- Operating range: 0 °C to 70 °C
- MTBF of 1.5 million hours
- Backed by a five-year limited warranty
Features And Software
The NM990 SSD is loaded with user-centric features:
- Microsoft DirectStorage support for faster game asset loading and reduced CPU overhead
- Lexar DiskMaster SSD management tool for firmware updates, drive health monitoring, and secure data management
- Ideal for AAA gaming, 4K/8K video editing, large-scale file transfers, and AI/ML development
Availability And Pricing
The Lexar NM990 M.2 2280 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD is available now in 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB capacities. Regional pricing and exact street dates vary by market, with broad availability expected in the coming weeks. Lexar recommends pairing the drive with a PCIe 5.0–capable motherboard to unlock its full potential.
