# Lexar NM800 1TB Review — Mid-Range PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2026)

The Lexar NM800 1TB is a mid-range PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD from Lexar, built around the InnoGrit IG5236 controller and 3D TLC NAND for 7400 MB/s sequential reads.

Quick answer: The Lexar NM800 1TB is a strong mid-range PCIe 4.0 SSD that delivers 7,400 MB/s sequential reads through the capable InnoGrit IG5236 controller. The 3D TLC NAND and DRAM-less HMB design position it below DRAM-equipped flagships in random performance, but the sequential bandwidth is genuinely flagship-tier for Gen4. For users who want fast read speeds at a mid-range price point, the NM800 1TB is a sensible and affordable option from an established storage brand with a long history in consumer flash memory products and data storage solutions dating back to the early days of digital photography.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 1 TB |
| Interface | M.2 4.0 x 4 |
| Controller | InnoGrit IG5236 |
| Memory type | 3D TLC |
| DRAM cache | DRAM Cache |
| Sequential read | 7400 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 6400 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 400000 |
| Random write IOPS | 750000 |
| Endurance | 500 TBW |
| MTBF | 2000000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

Sequential read performance of 7,400 MB/s leads the PCIe 4.0 class, edging past the Phison E18's typical 7,000 MB/s ceiling. The InnoGrit IG5236 controller handles large sequential transfers effortlessly, and the 1 TB capacity's NAND parallelism enables 6,400 MB/s sustained writes — strong for this class. In real-world desktop use, these numbers translate to near-instantaneous OS boot, rapid application launches, and seamless game loading.

The DRAM-less HMB design is adequate for everyday tasks but shows its limitations under sustained mixed workloads. Random 4K performance on HMB drives is generally good for light use but may exhibit increased latency when the drive is handling simultaneous reads and writes. The dynamic SLC cache provides generous burst write headroom for consumer workloads, and once exhausted, direct TLC write speeds typically fall to 800–1,200 MB/s on the IG5236 platform. Thermally, the IG5236 runs cooler than the Phison E18, making it a better fit for builds with limited M.2 cooling.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Lexar provides warranty coverage on the NM800 consistent with its mid-range positioning in the product lineup. Specific warranty duration and endurance figures for the 1 TB model are not widely published in Lexar public documentation. For comparable 1 TB TLC drives in this class, typical endurance ranges from 500 to 700 TBW with a three- to five-year warranty period. The 3D TLC NAND provides solid endurance characteristics, and for typical consumer use of 20–40 GB written per day, any reasonable endurance estimate would comfortably exceed the warranty period. MTBF is not separately published for this specific SKU.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 7,400 MB/s read leads the PCIe 4.0 class
- InnoGrit IG5236 capable second-gen controller
- 3D TLC NAND for better endurance than QLC
- 1 TB capacity with strong 6,400 MB/s writes
- IG5236 runs cooler than Phison E18
**Cons:**

- Likely DRAM-less HMB design
- Warranty and endurance not well-publicised
- Random latency higher than DRAM-equipped drives
- Mid-range positioning limits sustained workloads


## Verdict

The Lexar NM800 1TB is a strong mid-range PCIe 4.0 SSD that delivers 7,400 MB/s sequential reads through the capable InnoGrit IG5236 controller. The 3D TLC NAND and DRAM-less HMB design position it below DRAM-equipped flagships in random performance, but the sequential bandwidth is genuinely flagship-tier for Gen4. For users who want fast read speeds at a mid-range price point, the NM800 1TB is a sensible and affordable option from an established storage brand with a long history in consumer flash memory products and data storage solutions dating back to the early days of digital photography.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What controller does the Lexar NM800 1TB use?

The InnoGrit IG5236, a second-generation PCIe 4.0 x4 controller delivering up to 7,400 MB/s sequential reads. It competes with the Phison E18 in bandwidth while typically powering more value-oriented drives.

### Does the Lexar NM800 1TB have DRAM?

The NM800 appears to use a DRAM-less Host Memory Buffer design. HMB borrows a small amount of system RAM for flash translation layer management, which is adequate for everyday tasks but not ideal for sustained mixed workloads.

### How does the NM800 compare to the NM800 Pro?

The NM800 Pro uses the Phison E18 controller and includes DRAM cache, positioning it as a true flagship. The non-Pro NM800 uses the InnoGrit IG5236 without DRAM, offering similar sequential reads at a lower price point.

### What is the TBW endurance for the 1TB model?

Lexar does not widely publish endurance figures for the NM800 1TB. Comparable 1 TB TLC drives typically carry 500–700 TBW. For typical consumer use, any reasonable estimate would exceed the warranty period.

### Is the Lexar NM800 1TB good for gaming?

Yes. The 7,400 MB/s read speed exceeds what modern games require, and the 1 TB capacity holds dozens of titles. Load time differences between this and a flagship drive are negligible in gaming scenarios.

### Does the NM800 need a heatsink?

The IG5236 runs cooler than the Phison E18, but a basic M.2 thermal plate is still recommended for sustained performance. The drive may ship with or without a heatsink depending on the specific variant.

---

Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/lexar-nm800-1-tb