Affordable and spacious, the Lexar NQ780 could be a smart choice if SSD prices soar.
SSD prices are currently quite volatile. While they haven’t been hit as hard as memory prices, we’re still seeing regular increases across many SSDs. If the prices you see don’t align with this information, that’s likely the reason. To ensure you’re getting a good deal, consider using a price tracking tool.
Now, let’s talk about the Lexar NQ780. Honestly, it’s a bit underwhelming. Typically, when reviewing hardware like SSDs, there’s always something noteworthy to discuss—some unique feature or performance quirk that stands out. Unfortunately, the NQ780 doesn’t offer much in that regard.
It’s somewhat interesting in its own way because it lacks any real excitement. In a landscape filled with lightning-fast PCIe 5.0 drives, innovative controller designs, and cutting-edge NAND flash technologies, the NQ780 feels like it’s just there.
This drive isn’t going to win any awards for the best SSD of 2025. Its performance is comparable to the Samsung 990 Evo Plus from October 2024 or the Crucial P310 from earlier this year. It targets budget-conscious users who prioritize storage capacity over speed and load times. While it’s not terrible, it’s simply outperformed or matched by nearly every other PCIe 4.0 drive that’s been released, and it arrives about eight months late to the game.
Its main selling point is its price. Even amidst the chaos of November sales, the NQ780’s competitive pricing gives it a strong value proposition. Specifically, it’s priced at $0.07 per GB in the US and £0.06 per GB in the UK, making it one of the lowest price-per-gig options available. If this pricing holds (considering the ongoing memory crunch), it could be its saving grace.
**Specifications:**
– **Capacity:** 4 TB
– **Interface:** PCIe 4.0 x4
– **Memory Controller:** Innogrit IG5236
– **Flash Memory:** Intel 144-layer 3D QLC NAND
– **Rated Performance:** 7,000 MB/s sustained read, 6,000 MB/s sustained write
– **Endurance:** 2400 TBW
– **Warranty:** Five years
– **Price:** $264 | £253
Now that we’ve covered the pricing, let’s dive into the rather mundane hardware details. The NQ780 features an unusual component setup. Instead of the usual Phison, Maxiotek, or Silicon Motion controllers, it uses an Innogrit IG5236 eight-channel 12 nm controller, which dates back to 2020. It’s built on the PCIe 4.0 platform and comes in an M.2-2280 form factor, paired with Intel’s 144-layer QLC NAND flash, which maxes out at 1 TB packages. For this 4 TB model, that means four chips on a single-sided stick, aligning with modern design trends for compatibility with laptops, consoles, and PCs.
This setup indicates two things: it runs a bit hotter than most modern drives and is less efficient, plus it’s using older hardware. It feels more like a stock clearance and rebranding than a fresh release, especially given the age of the controller.
As for performance, it’s what you’d expect from an SSD in this category. While sequential speeds start off strong, once the pSLC cache fills, performance drops significantly.
In testing, CrystalDiskMark recorded sequential read and write speeds of 7,446 MB/s and 6,601 MB/s, respectively, which is decent but not exceptional. However, when it comes to Random 4K performance, the NQ780 struggles. It managed only 70 MB/s on writes, placing it near the bottom of the rankings among the 19 drives tested over the past year.
This is crucial for gamers, as random 4K read performance is indicative of how well an SSD can handle the demands of AAA titles. Game assets are not stored sequentially, and the NQ780’s poor performance in this area translates to longer load times.
✅ If load speeds aren’t a concern: The NQ780 is still a budget-friendly option for those needing mass storage.
❌ If you want a modern drive: Look for alternatives like the SN7100, which offers significantly better performance.
In benchmarks like Final Fantasy XIV’s Shadowbringers, the NQ780 averaged a slow 7.869 seconds. While that’s relatively quick in some contexts, it falls short compared to its modern competitors, especially since I’m testing the 4 TB model, which typically performs better.
This drive feels like a rushed decision, cobbled together from inexpensive NAND and older controllers. While its aggressive pricing is a plus, investing in a drive with better performance, like the SN5100, would be a smarter choice. Even with recent price hikes, you can find better options that deliver superior performance across the board.
1. Best overall: WD_Black SN7100
2. Best budget: Biwin Black Opal NV7400
3. Best PCIe 5.0: WD_Black SN8100
4. Best budget PCIe 5.0: Crucial P510
5. Best 4 TB: TeamGroup MP44
6. Best 8 TB: WD_Black SN850X
7. Best M.2 2230: Lexar Play 2230
8. Best for PS5: Silicon Power XS70
