Galang Taruna
Gamers facing the perennial challenge of limited storage on their PlayStation 5 consoles now have a compelling solution as the Lexar EQ790 1TB NVMe internal SSD is available at a reduced price of €169.99, down from its original €179.99, on Amazon during the ongoing French Days 2026 event. This timely offer presents a strategic opportunity for console owners to significantly expand their storage capacity without compromising performance, ensuring ample space for an ever-growing library of high-fidelity games, including highly anticipated future titles such as GTA VI.
The PS5 Storage Challenge: A Growing Concern for Modern Gaming
The standard PlayStation 5, a flagship console renowned for its cutting-edge graphics and immersive gameplay, ships with a nominal 825GB internal SSD. However, after accounting for the operating system and essential system files, the actual usable storage available to players dwindles to approximately 667GB. In an era where many AAA game titles routinely exceed 100GB in file size, this limited capacity quickly becomes a bottleneck. Players often find themselves in the unenviable position of having to delete existing games to make room for new installations, a process that can be both time-consuming and frustrating.
This predicament is exacerbated by the increasing complexity and visual fidelity of modern video games. Developers push the boundaries of graphical realism, intricate worlds, and expansive narratives, all of which contribute to larger file sizes. Furthermore, post-launch updates, patches, and downloadable content (DLC) frequently add to a game’s footprint, consuming even more precious storage space. For dedicated gamers, particularly those who enjoy a diverse collection of titles or frequently revisit older favorites, a storage upgrade is no longer a luxury but a near necessity. While external USB hard drives can store PS4 games and offload PS5 titles, only an internal NVMe SSD can run native PS5 games directly, making it the preferred and often essential upgrade path for optimal next-gen gaming.
Lexar EQ790: Engineered for PlayStation 5 Performance
The Lexar EQ790 is an internal NVMe SSD specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of the PlayStation 5. Adhering to the M.2 2280 form factor, it leverages a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, aligning perfectly with Sony’s stringent compatibility requirements for expanding the console’s storage. Sony mandates that any compatible SSD must offer a minimum sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s to ensure seamless integration and prevent performance bottlenecks that could otherwise impact game loading times or system responsiveness. The Lexar EQ790 surpasses this benchmark with impressive sequential read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 5,000 MB/s, guaranteeing that games will load quickly and run smoothly, even those with demanding data streaming requirements.
A critical feature that sets the Lexar EQ790 apart for PS5 users is its integrated heatsink. High-performance NVMe SSDs, especially those operating at PCIe 4.0 speeds, generate significant heat during sustained operations. In the confined M.2 expansion slot of the PlayStation 5, effective thermal management is paramount. Without an adequate heatsink, the SSD could experience thermal throttling, a mechanism where the drive automatically reduces its performance to prevent overheating and potential damage. This throttling would negate the benefits of a high-speed SSD, leading to slower loading times and a degraded gaming experience during extended play sessions. The EQ790’s pre-installed heatsink actively dissipates heat, maintaining optimal operating temperatures and ensuring consistent peak performance, even during intense gaming marathons or when handling large file transfers.
With an additional 1TB of storage, PS5 owners can comfortably install a substantial number of major titles. Considering that many modern games like Call of Duty, Cyberpunk 2077, or upcoming blockbusters such as GTA VI can occupy well over 100GB each, this upgrade effectively triples the usable storage for PS5 games, transforming the console’s capacity and user experience. Games, even those rendered in stunning 4K resolution, will benefit from significantly reduced loading screens, allowing players to dive into their virtual worlds with minimal interruption.
Beyond the Console: Versatility for PC Gamers and Enthusiasts
While perfectly tailored for the PlayStation 5, the Lexar EQ790’s robust specifications and performance capabilities extend its utility far beyond console gaming. It serves as an excellent upgrade solution for PC users, whether in a desktop tower or a compatible laptop. For desktop users, provided the motherboard features an M.2 NVMe slot (which is standard on most modern gaming and high-performance motherboards), the EQ790 can be easily installed as a primary or secondary storage drive. This can dramatically enhance overall system responsiveness, reducing boot times, accelerating application launches, and speeding up file transfers.
Laptop users with an available M.2 slot can also leverage the EQ790 to breathe new life into an aging machine or boost the performance of a new one. Replacing a slower SATA SSD or a traditional hard drive with a PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive like the EQ790 will yield noticeable improvements across all system operations, from everyday computing tasks to demanding creative applications and, of course, PC gaming. The drive’s impressive read and write speeds ensure that games load quickly, textures stream seamlessly, and large game assets are accessed without delay, providing a more fluid and enjoyable experience.
To further empower users, Lexar provides its proprietary DiskMaster software. This utility allows users to monitor the SSD’s health, optimize its performance, and update its firmware. Such tools are invaluable for maintaining the drive’s longevity and ensuring it operates at peak efficiency throughout its lifespan, offering peace of mind to both console and PC users.
The French Days 2026 Context: A Strategic Opportunity
The current price reduction for the Lexar EQ790 1TB SSD is part of the "French Days," a significant retail sales event in France, often dubbed the French equivalent of Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day. Initiated by six major French e-commerce players in 2018, the event aims to boost domestic sales and provide consumers with attractive deals on a wide range of products, particularly electronics and home goods. The 2026 "rentrée" (back-to-school) edition of French Days is a strategic period for consumers to make essential purchases before the holiday season. This particular edition commenced recently and is scheduled to conclude on September 14, making the current offer time-sensitive.
Lexar’s decision to feature the EQ790 during this sales period is a calculated move to capitalize on increased consumer spending and demand for tech upgrades. It positions the product as an accessible solution to a widely acknowledged problem among PS5 owners. From a market perspective, such promotions during major sales events stimulate demand, clear inventory, and attract new customers who might otherwise defer their purchase. The competitive landscape of the SSD market means manufacturers frequently engage in strategic pricing to gain market share, and events like the French Days provide the perfect platform for such initiatives. This specific price point of €169.99 for a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD with an integrated heatsink represents a highly competitive value proposition, especially given the strict requirements for PS5 compatibility.
Installation and Compatibility: A User-Friendly Upgrade
While the idea of opening a game console might seem daunting to some, Sony has made the process of installing an M.2 SSD into the PS5 relatively straightforward. The console features a dedicated expansion slot designed for this purpose, and Sony provides clear instructions for the installation process. The key is to select an SSD that meets all the specified criteria: an M.2 NVMe (Key M) PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD, a compatible size (2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110), and crucially, an integrated or separately attached heatsink. The Lexar EQ790 simplifies this by coming pre-equipped with a heatsink, eliminating the need for users to purchase and install one separately. This ensures not only compatibility but also optimal thermal performance from the moment it’s installed.
Users are advised to consult Sony’s official guide for detailed installation steps, which typically involve removing the console’s side plate, unscrewing the M.2 slot cover, inserting the SSD, and securing it. The PS5 firmware will then guide the user through formatting the new drive. This user-friendly approach by Sony, combined with readily available compatible SSDs like the Lexar EQ790, makes storage expansion an accessible upgrade for a broad spectrum of PS5 owners.
Market Trends and Future Implications of SSD Technology
The ongoing demand for high-speed NVMe SSDs like the Lexar EQ790 reflects broader trends in the technology industry. As gaming graphics become more sophisticated and data-intensive applications become more common, the need for rapid data access is paramount. PCIe 4.0 technology, while not the absolute latest, still offers substantial performance gains over previous generations, providing a sweet spot for price-to-performance ratio for many consumers. The adoption of NVMe SSDs in consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S has further cemented their status as the standard for high-performance storage.
Looking ahead, a 1TB SSD upgrade future-proofs the PS5 considerably. With game sizes expected to continue their upward trajectory, having ample high-speed storage ensures that players can enjoy new releases without constant storage management headaches for years to come. The competitive pricing observed during events like the French Days also suggests a maturing market where advanced storage solutions are becoming increasingly affordable, making high-performance computing and gaming more accessible to a wider audience. This continuous evolution in storage technology underscores its critical role in shaping the next generation of digital entertainment and productivity.
In conclusion, the Lexar EQ790 1TB NVMe SSD, available at a reduced price during the French Days 2026, presents an exceptional value proposition for PlayStation 5 owners and PC users alike. Its robust performance specifications, integrated heatsink, and adherence to Sony’s compatibility requirements make it an ideal solution for expanding storage and enhancing the overall gaming and computing experience. With the French Days drawing to a close on September 14, this limited-time offer provides a compelling incentive for those looking to overcome storage limitations and fully embrace the potential of their high-performance hardware.
