Lexar NQ790 1000GB

The Lexar NQ790 operates as a high-bandwidth, DRAM-less NVMe solution, engineered around the Maxio MAP1602 controller architecture (or equivalent 4-channel controller). The drive utilizes Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, allowing the controller to borrow a small fraction of system RAM for address mapping tables to compensate for the lack of onboard DRAM cache. While it shares a controller lineage with the enthusiast-tier Lexar NM790, the NQ790 is typically outfitted with high-density 3D NAND (often QLC in global markets) tailored for burst workloads rather than sustained heavy writes. Hardware analysis suggests the NQ790 serves as a variation of the widely adopted Maxio-Reference design, but with different NAND binning compared to the flagship NM790. Due to the reliance on high-density NAND, users may observe a distinct drop in write speeds once the dynamic pseudo-SLC cache is exhausted during large file transfers. The drive utilizes a single-sided PCB layout across all capacities, ensuring high compatibility with slim laptops and the PlayStation 5, and generally exhibits excellent power efficiency inherent to the 12nm process node of the controller.

Key Specifications

• Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (NVMe 1.4)
• Sequential Speeds: 7000 MB/s Read / 6000 MB/s Write
• Controller: Maxio MAP1602 (or equivalent 4-channel controller)
• NAND Type: 3D NAND (High-density / QLC variants common)
• DRAM Cache: No (HMB support)
• Physical Layout: Single-sided M.2 2280
• Process Node: 12nm controller process (noted for power efficiency)

Hardware Alternatives

• Lexar NM790: shares the same controller architecture but uses discrete 3D TLC NAND (typically YMTC 232-layer), offering superior sustained write performance and endurance compared to the NQ series.
• HP FX700 / Acer N7000: close hardware relatives that often share the Maxio MAP1602 controller and a QLC NAND combination similar to the NQ790, producing comparable cache behavior and thermal efficiency.
• Western Digital WD_BLACK SN770: a direct competitor in the DRAM-less PCIe 4.0 segment that uses a different controller and BiCS NAND but targets the same performance tier with high burst speeds and efficient design.