Choosing a High-Speed 4TB Gen4 NVMe SSD for PS5 and PC
When selecting an internal SSD like the Lexar EQ790, you're balancing speed, capacity, and compatibility for demanding tasks such as PS5 game storage or intensive PC workloads. This 4TB drive offers PCIe Gen4x4 speeds up to 7000MB/s read and 6000MB/s write, making it a strong candidate for those needing fast load times and ample space.
Key Considerations Before Buying
- Ensure your motherboard or console supports PCIe Gen4 for full speed; Gen3 slots will work but cap performance around 3500MB/s, halving the drive's potential.
- For PS5 compatibility, confirm the drive meets Sony's requirements for size (M.2 2280) and heatsink integration—the EQ790's design may need an additional heatsink for optimal thermal management during extended gaming sessions.
- With 4TB capacity, evaluate your storage needs: this is ideal for large game libraries or 4K video projects, but ensure your system's power delivery and cooling can handle sustained high-speed writes without throttling.
What Our Analysts Recommend
Look for drives with high TBW (terabytes written) ratings to gauge endurance, especially for heavy workloads. Also, check for NVMe 1.4 support, which enhances power efficiency and performance optimization, and verified PS5 compatibility from user reports or manufacturer specs.
Internal Solid State Drives Market Context
Market Overview
The PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD market is maturing, with capacities now reaching 4TB at more accessible prices, driven by competition among brands like Lexar, Samsung, and WD. This segment focuses on balancing raw speeds (up to 7000MB/s) with real-world thermal management and reliability for gamers and content creators.
Common Issues
Heat buildup is a frequent concern with high-speed Gen4 drives, leading to potential throttling and performance drops during sustained transfers. Additionally, some users report compatibility hiccups with older motherboards or PS5 firmware updates, requiring careful firmware checks or heatsink upgrades.
Quality Indicators
Quality drives often feature high-quality NAND flash (e.g., 3D TLC or better), a robust controller with DRAM cache for consistent performance, and clear warranty terms (e.g., 5-year limited). User reviews that highlight specific use cases, like PS5 load times or workstation benchmarks, are strong authenticity signals.
Review Authenticity Insights
Grade B Interpretation
A Grade B with an estimated 10% fake review rate suggests the majority of reviews are genuine, but a small portion may be incentivized or unreliable. This is typical for popular SSDs, where verified purchase tags dominate, but you should still scrutinize overly glowing or vague testimonials.
Trust Recommendation
Trust the high rating (4.89/5) but cross-reference with the adjusted rating (4.60/5) for a more realistic view. Focus on reviews that describe specific hardware setups or performance metrics, as these are harder to fake and indicate real user experiences.
Tips for Reading Reviews
For SSDs, prioritize reviews that mention exact read/write speeds in benchmarks, thermal behavior under load, and PS5 or PC compatibility details. Be cautious of reviews with no technical depth or those that repeat generic phrases like 'fast and reliable' without context.
Expert Perspective
The Lexar EQ790 4TB SSD offers compelling specs for its price point, with Gen4 speeds that rival premium drives, but the authenticity data suggests some skepticism is warranted. The high unadjusted rating is likely inflated by a small percentage of fake reviews, though the core user feedback indicates solid performance for PS5 gaming and intensive PC tasks. Its 7000MB/s read speed is near the Gen4 ceiling, making it a future-proof choice for users with compatible hardware, but thermal management may be a practical concern in tight spaces.
Purchase Considerations
Weigh the capacity vs. cost: at 4TB, this is a significant investment, so ensure you need the space and can support Gen4 speeds. Consider your system's cooling and whether you're willing to add a heatsink, as some reviews hint at heat-induced slowdowns during prolonged writes.
Comparing Alternatives
Shoppers should compare with similarly priced Gen4 4TB SSDs like the WD Black SN850X or Samsung 990 Pro, which offer comparable speeds but may have better thermal solutions or longer warranty terms.
