Lexar NM990 1000GB

The Lexar NM990 1000GB is built around the Phison PS5026-E26 controller, paired with Micron 232-layer 3D TLC NAND and an onboard LPDDR4 DRAM cache. It achieves up to 14,000 MB/s sequential read and 7,500 MB/s sequential write; the lower write speed relative to read is due to the 1000GB density offering fewer NAND dies for the controller to interleave across. Thermal management is a critical constraint for this E26-based design, requiring substantial heatsinking or active cooling to avoid rapid throttling. Early firmware on similar platforms was reported to cause abrupt shutdowns when thermal limits were exceeded, with later microcode updates introducing smoother throttling curves.

Key Specifications

• Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0
• Controller: Phison PS5026-E26 (8-channel)
• NAND Flash: Micron 232-Layer 3D TLC
• Sequential Speeds: 14,000 MB/s Read / 7,500 MB/s Write
• DRAM Cache: Yes (LPDDR4/4x)
• Encryption: TCG Opal 2.0 supported
• Key Feature: Microsoft DirectStorage optimized via I/O+ Firmware

Hardware Alternatives

• Crucial T700 1000GB: The primary hardware relative, sharing the same controller and Micron NAND pairing.
• Corsair MP700 Pro: Utilizes the same core architecture with aggressive factory cooling options.
• Seagate FireCuda 540: Another E26-based derivative focusing on high endurance ratings.
• Samsung 990 EVO 1000GB: Uses a hybrid lane design (x2 Gen5) and operates at lower speeds, placing it in a different performance tier.