TeamGroup Z540 2TB ($329) vs Lexar NM790 2TB ($310). $/TB analysis, performance, and use-case recommendations.
When generations cross paths in a comparison like this one, the older-spec drive almost always wins on value while the newer one wins on benchmarks. Whether that benchmark advantage matters depends entirely on what you do with the drive.
Hardware-wise, the TeamGroup Z540 2TB runs on Phison's E26 silicon, which kicked off the consumer Gen 5 era and typically requires a heatsink. The Lexar NM790 2TB pairs the MaxioTech MAP1602 — a DRAM-less Gen 4 controller dominating the value tier across TeamGroup, Lexar, and others.
On sequential reads the TeamGroup Z540 2TB pulls ahead by 5,000 MB/s (12,400 MB/s versus 7,400 MB/s). That matters for moving large files but rarely shows up in game loads.
Write speeds skew toward the TeamGroup Z540 2TB: 11,800 MB/s sustained against 6,500 MB/s. Content creators feel this; gamers do not.
Cache architecture differs: TeamGroup Z540 2TB has DRAM hardware, Lexar NM790 2TB uses HMB. For OS, gaming, browsing — indistinguishable. For databases, large file ops, or 4K video editing — DRAM has a small but consistent edge.
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 TeamGroup Z540 2TB and Lexar NM790 2TB as interchangeable here and let price decide. The Gen 5 TeamGroup Z540 2TB pulls ahead on sequential bandwidth, but Gen 5 advantages rarely surface during everyday tasks — most software hasn't been rewritten to exploit 14,000+ MB/s pipelines. Video editors will gravitate toward the TeamGroup Z540 2TB for its write headroom (11,800 MB/s sustained). Project saves and proxies move faster, which compounds across a workday. Heads-up — these are full-length 2280 drives. Steam Deck and most current handhelds require shorter 2230 modules, so check capacity-specific 2230 variants if that's your target platform.
Market context: the TeamGroup Z540 2TB ranks #2 of 11 Gen 5 2 TB drives we track by $/TB, while the Lexar NM790 2TB ranks #7 of 11 Gen 4 2 TB drives. One of them is genuinely among the cheapest options in its class, so this matchup includes a real value pick.
As of July 27, 2026, these tracked drives undercut both the TeamGroup Z540 2TB and Lexar NM790 2TB on $/TB:
The TeamGroup Z540 2TB is the right call if meaningfully faster reads (12,400 MB/s), higher sustained writes (11,800 MB/s), and a dedicated DRAM cache chip matter to you. The TeamGroup Z540 2TB captures the value tier well: same NAND class as flagships, paired with a DRAM-less controller that costs less and uses HMB for the address-mapping table.
The Lexar NM790 2TB is the right call if the lower retail price ($310 vs $329), and better $/TB economics ($155.00/TB) matter to you. 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.