Crucial P310 2TB ($292) vs Lexar NM790 2TB ($310). $/TB analysis, performance, and use-case recommendations.
Crucial P310 2TB and Lexar NM790 2TB are direct competitors — same generation, same capacity. Choose by controller behavior under sustained load, DRAM/HMB cache strategy, and $/TB economics.
Hardware-wise, the Crucial P310 2TB runs on the DRAM-less Phison E27T, common in value-tier 2TB and 4TB Gen 4 drives. The Lexar NM790 2TB pairs MaxioTech's MAP1602 silicon, the default choice for budget Gen 4 drives in 2024-2026.
On warranty endurance the Lexar NM790 2TB carries 1,500 TBW against Crucial P310 2TB's 880 TBW. Both will outlast typical use, but the gap matters if you're doing professional content work.
PS5 owners get no measurable benefit from either drive's peak speed because Sony's internal NVMe controller throttles to ~5,500 MB/s; treat Crucial P310 2TB and Lexar NM790 2TB as interchangeable here and let price decide. Both drives use the 2280 form factor, which is too long for Steam Deck or ROG Ally — you'd need a 2230 variant if either manufacturer offers one, or a dedicated handheld-format drive instead.
How do these two fit the wider Gen 4 2 TB field? Out of 11 tracked drives, the Crucial P310 2TB is #4 on $/TB and the Lexar NM790 2TB is #7. Neither cracks the top of the value table, so it's worth glancing at the alternatives below before picking either.
As of July 27, 2026, these tracked drives undercut both the Crucial P310 2TB and Lexar NM790 2TB on $/TB:
The Crucial P310 2TB is the right call if the lower retail price ($292 vs $310), and better $/TB economics ($146.00/TB) matter to you.
The Lexar NM790 2TB is the right call if a higher TBW endurance rating (1,500 TBW) matter to you. Budget-tier drives like the Lexar NM790 2TB have closed the gap with premium NVMes — the MAP1602 controller is genuinely competitive for everyday workloads at half the price.