SSD comparison · Updated May 14, 2026

Lexar NM790 2TB vs Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB

Compare Lexar NM790 2TB and Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB: prices, speeds, $/TB. Which to buy in May 2026? Full spec breakdown.

Lexar NM790 2TB Gen 4

Lexar · MAP1602
$149
$74.50/TB
View on Amazon →

Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB Gen 4

Corsair · Phison E27T
$155
$77.50/TB
View on Amazon →
Generation
Gen 4
Gen 4
Price (USD)
$149
$155
Capacity
2 TB
2 TB
$/TB
$74.50
$77.50
Sequential read
7,400 MB/s
7,000 MB/s
Sequential write
6,500 MB/s
6,500 MB/s
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4
PCIe 4.0 x4
Controller
MAP1602
Phison E27T
DRAM cache
No (HMB)
No (HMB)
TBW endurance
1,500 TBW
1,200 TBW
Warranty
5 years
5 years
PS5 compatible
Yes
Yes

Verdict: Lexar NM790 2TB vs Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB

Both the Lexar NM790 2TB and Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB sit in the Gen 4 category at 2 TB, so the matchup turns on controller efficiency, cache topology, and current pricing rather than raw class differences.

Hardware-wise, the Lexar NM790 2TB runs on the MaxioTech MAP1602 — a DRAM-less Gen 4 controller dominating the value tier across TeamGroup, Lexar, and others. The Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB pairs Phison's E27T — a four-channel Gen 4 controller for HMB designs.

Real-world use cases

Heading to a PlayStation 5? Both drives drop into the console's M.2 bay and report identical real-world benchmarks since the PS5 caps storage at PCIe 4.0 speeds. The Lexar NM790 2TB wins this matchup on $/TB. 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.

Pick the Lexar NM790 2TB if...

Pick the Lexar NM790 2TB if you value the lower retail price ($149 vs $155), and better $/TB economics ($74.50/TB). The Lexar NM790 2TB wins on $/TB because it pairs DRAM-less MAP1602 silicon with low-margin distribution. Performance is fine for OS and gaming, weaker only on sustained random writes.

Pick the Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB if...

The Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB fits buyers who prefer its specific performance profile or have brand preference for Corsair.

Best value for money

Lexar NM790 2TB
Lowest $/TB in this matchup: $74.50/TB

Best for gaming

Lexar NM790 2TB
7,400 MB/s read at $74.50/TB, PS5-compatible

Best for content creators

Lexar NM790 2TB
Sustained 6,500 MB/s writes via HMB, 1,500 TBW endurance

Best for PS5

Lexar NM790 2TB
PCIe Gen 4 NVMe at $74.50/TB — best PS5 expansion value here

Lexar NM790 2TB vs Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB — common questions

Which is cheaper, the Lexar NM790 2TB or Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB?

As of May 14, 2026, the Lexar NM790 2TB sits at $149 ($74.50/TB) on Amazon, versus $155 ($77.50/TB) for the Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB. SSD pricing has been volatile during the 2026 NAND shortage — verify current Amazon prices via the buy links above before purchasing.

What are the read and write speed differences?

Sequential read: Lexar NM790 2TB hits 7,400 MB/s, Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB hits 7,000 MB/s. Sequential write: Lexar NM790 2TB at 6,500 MB/s, Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB at 6,500 MB/s. Random performance is more relevant for daily use, and both drives perform similarly there for typical consumer workloads.

Is the Lexar NM790 2TB or Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB better for PS5?

Both are PCIe Gen 4 NVMe M.2 2280 — both meet Sony's expansion requirements. The PS5's M.2 controller caps sustained speeds at ~5,500 MB/s, so both drives saturate it equally. Pick on price — the Lexar NM790 2TB at $74.50/TB is the better value. Add a heatsink (the PS5 cover provides minimal cooling) for thermal headroom.

Which has better endurance, the Lexar NM790 2TB or Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB?

The Lexar NM790 2TB carries the higher rating: 1,500 TBW versus 1,200 TBW on the Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB. For typical consumer use this rarely matters — even 600 TBW takes 10+ years of normal writes to consume. Content creators writing 50+ GB daily should weight TBW more heavily.

Which should I buy in May 2026, Lexar NM790 2TB or Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB?

For most buyers, the Lexar NM790 2TB wins this matchup — it balances Gen 4 performance, $74.50/TB pricing, and proven reliability. Pick the Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB only if you specifically need its specific brand preference.