Compare WD Blue SN5000 2TB and Lexar NM790 2TB: prices, speeds, $/TB. Which to buy in July 2026? Full spec breakdown.
Both the WD Blue SN5000 2TB and Lexar NM790 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 WD Blue SN5000 2TB runs on the SanDisk controller. 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 WD Blue SN5000 2TB's 900 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 WD Blue SN5000 2TB and Lexar NM790 2TB as interchangeable here and let price decide. Heavy write workloads — video editing, RAW photo libraries, backup operations — favor the Lexar NM790 2TB's 6,500 MB/s sustained write speed. 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 WD Blue SN5000 2TB is #6 on $/TB and the Lexar NM790 2TB is #7. Neither is a value leader right now — if $/TB is your priority, check the cheaper alternatives below before committing.
As of July 27, 2026, these tracked drives undercut both the WD Blue SN5000 2TB and Lexar NM790 2TB on $/TB:
Pick the WD Blue SN5000 2TB if you value the lower retail price ($295 vs $310), and better $/TB economics ($147.50/TB).
Pick the Lexar NM790 2TB if you value meaningfully faster reads (7,400 MB/s), higher sustained writes (6,500 MB/s), and a higher TBW endurance rating (1,500 TBW). 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.