Lexar NM620 512GB NVMe SSD Review
The Lexar NM620 512GB slots into the mainstream DRAM-less NVMe segment with 3,300 MB/s reads and 2,400 MB/s writes — a solid step up from the 256GB model without stepping into premium pricing.
Under the label, the NM620 512GB uses the Lexar DM620 controller alongside Micron 96-layer 3D TLC NAND. The design is DRAM-less, leveraging the NVMe HMB (Host Memory Buffer) feature to borrow system memory for the flash translation layer. It is a single-sided M.2 2280 module, which means it fits into thin laptops and small-form-factor desktops without clearance issues.
The 512GB capacity hits a practical sweet spot. Its 2,400 MB/s rated write speed is nearly double the 256GB variant's 1,300 MB/s, and the 250 TBW endurance is twice as high. Read speeds match the 1TB model at 3,300 MB/s. Available capacities in the NM620 line include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
Competitors in this bracket include the WD Blue SN550 500GB, Crucial P2 500GB, and the Samsung 980 500GB. The Samsung consistently leads in PCMark real-world trace tests, while the NM620 holds its own in synthetic sequential and 4K random benchmarks. The five-year warranty is a tangible advantage over drives that cap coverage at three years.
✅ Storage Comparisons:
🚀 Performance and benchmarks
Lexar rates the NM620 512GB at up to 3,300 MB/s sequential reads and 2,400 MB/s sequential writes, with random performance up to 300,000 read IOPS and 256,000 write IOPS. PCMag's testing of the 512GB model measured 3,155 MB/s reads and 2,387 MB/s writes in CrystalDiskMark, closely matching the rated figures.
Lexar NM620 512 GB vs M.2 3.0 x 4 peers
Switch between sequential throughput and random IOPS to see how this drive stacks up against other M.2 3.0 x 4 SSDs in our database. The highlighted bar is the drive on this page — click any other bar to open that drive.
- ADATA SX 8800 Pro 512 GB: 3,500 MB/s read, 2,700 MB/s write
- ADATA SX 8800 Pro 1 TB: 3,500 MB/s read, 2,700 MB/s write
- ADATA XPG Spectrix S40G RGB 256 GB: 3,500 MB/s read, 3,000 MB/s write
- ADATA XPG Spectrix S40G RGB 512 GB: 3,500 MB/s read, 3,000 MB/s write
- Lexar NM620 512 GB (this drive): 3,300 MB/s read, 2,400 MB/s write
The NM620 performed well in 4K random write tests, posting high scores that beat some direct competitors. However, PCMark 10 overall storage scores were middling, and one game-launch trace (Call of Duty: Black Ops 4) returned the lowest score in the comparison set. The SLC write cache on the 512GB model absorbs typical desktop workloads without issue, but sustained writes of roughly 200 GB or more will exhaust the cache and drop speeds to native TLC levels around 800 to 900 MB/s.
🖥️ Endurance and warranty
The NM620 512GB carries a 250 TBW endurance rating under a five-year limited warranty. At a typical consumer write volume of 20 to 50 GB per day, the drive would take between 13 and 34 years to reach its TBW limit — far beyond the warranty window. The MTBF is rated at 1.5 million hours, a standard figure for consumer NVMe drives. Warranty claims are handled through the retailer or directly through Lexar, and the five-year term applies without requiring product registration.
📊 Specs
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity [?] | 512 GB |
| Interface [?] | M.2 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller [?] | Lexar DM620 |
| Memory type [?] | 3D TLC |
| DRAM [?] | n/a |
| Read speed (MB/s) [?] | 3300 |
| Write speed (MB/s) [?] | 2400 |
| Read IOPS [?] | 300000 |
| Write IOPS [?] | 256000 |
| Endurance (TBW) [?] | 250 |
| MTBF (million hours) [?] | 1.5 |
| Warranty (years) [?] | 5 |
Conclusion
The Lexar NM620 512GB is a sensible midrange NVMe drive for users upgrading from SATA or building a general-purpose desktop. It offers solid sequential performance and a generous five-year warranty at a competitive price. Shoppers who prioritize real-world application performance over synthetic numbers should look at the Samsung 980 500GB, which posts higher PCMark scores at a similar price. For those who value warranty length and straightforward value, the NM620 512GB delivers without unnecessary frills.
+ Pros
- 3,300 MB/s sequential reads, 2,400 MB/s writes
- Five-year warranty
- Single-sided M.2 2280 fits slim laptops
- Strong 4K random write performance
- NVMe 1.4 with HMB support
- Cons
- Middling PCMark 10 real-world scores
- SLC cache exhausts after ~200 GB sustained writes
- No included heatsink or management software
- 250 TBW endurance lower than some TLC rivals
🛒 Buy this or similar SSD Storage:
✨ Video Review
Lexar NM620 M 2 2280 PCIe Gen3x4 NVMe SSD introduced by Squirrel Mark
