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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Lexar announced two M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs in April 2025: the PCIe 4.0 NQ780, rated for up to 7,000MB/s read and 6,000MB/s write, and the PCIe 5.0 Professional NM1090 PRO, rated for up to 14,000MB/s read and 13,000MB/s write. Those are manufacturer maximums, not guaranteed speeds in every PC. For gamers, the practical choice depends on motherboard support, cooling, price and the workload—not just the peak sequential-read number.
What Lexar announced
Lexar Americas’ announcement is displayed as published April 25, 2025, and carries an April 24 dateline. It introduces the NQ780 for PCIe 4.0 systems and the Professional NM1090 PRO for PCIe 5.0 systems. Lexar positioned both for gaming and professional applications; that positioning is marketing, rather than independent validation of performance.
| Drive | Interface and form factor | Advertised maximum sequential speeds | Features Lexar describes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NQ780 | PCIe 4.0 NVMe, M.2 2280 | Read: up to 7,000MB/s; write: up to 6,000MB/s | Single-sided design, HMB, SLC cache and Intelligent Power Control. Lexar says it includes DiskMaster for firmware updates and drive-health monitoring. |
| Professional NM1090 PRO | PCIe 5.0 NVMe, M.2 2280 | Read: up to 14,000MB/s; write: up to 13,000MB/s | 232-layer 3D TLC NAND, 6nm controller, DRAM, SLC dynamic cache and thermal-control design. |
These figures come from Lexar’s 2025 launch announcement, the NM1090 PRO product page and its product sheet. “Up to” describes a ceiling under suitable conditions; a computer’s interface, workload and other system factors affect actual results.
What the speed numbers mean for games and creative work
Sequential transfers are only one kind of performance
Sequential read and write figures describe moving large, contiguous blocks of data. They can be relevant when transferring large files or working with media, but they do not by themselves predict game load times or every application’s responsiveness. Random access and the particular software workload matter too.
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#1 Best Overall
- [2TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 1500TBW
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
- Designed for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators
What the NQ780 review measured
PC Gamer’s December 4, 2025 review tested the 4TB NQ780 on its own desktop test bench. In CrystalDiskMark 7, it recorded 7,446MB/s sequential read and 6,601MB/s sequential write. In the same review’s comparison table, the NQ780 recorded 17,134 IOPS for random 4K Q1T1 reads and a 7.869-second total loading time in Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers. The comparison WD Blue SN5100 2TB recorded 26,224 IOPS and 7.125 seconds, respectively. Because the compared drives had different capacities and were tested in that publication’s setup, those results are not a controlled same-capacity comparison or a guarantee for another PC.
The review is of the NQ780 4TB, not the NM1090 PRO. It cannot establish independent NM1090 PRO performance, temperature, longevity or value. Lexar’s peak claims and PC Gamer’s test measurements should therefore be read as different kinds of evidence.
Rank #2
- [1TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 1000TBW
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
- Designed for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators
Check compatibility and cooling before choosing
- Confirm the slot and drive length. Both models are M.2 2280 drives, but check the motherboard or laptop manual for a supported 2280 NVMe slot and available physical clearance.
- Check PCIe generation support. The NQ780 is PCIe 4.0; the NM1090 PRO is PCIe 5.0. Confirm the system supports the drive’s interface and check the motherboard documentation for how the specific slot operates. Do not assume a drive will deliver its advertised maximum in a system with a different generation or configuration.
- Plan for cooling. Lexar describes thermal-control features on the NM1090 PRO. Actual cooling provision depends on the system and slot; check whether the motherboard or laptop provides suitable cooling and clearance before adding a heatsink.
- Consider laptop fit. Lexar describes the NQ780 as single-sided and laptop-suitable. That construction can help with clearance, but it does not replace checking the laptop’s service manual for slot, length and compatibility requirements.
Capacity and launch prices
Lexar’s 2025 launch announcement listed these MSRPs. They are historical launch prices, not current prices, current stock confirmation or proof that every listed capacity is available now.
| Drive | Capacity | Launch MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| NQ780 | 1TB | $79.99 |
| NQ780 | 2TB | $149.99 |
| NQ780 | 4TB | $289.99 |
| NM1090 PRO | 1TB | $179.99 |
| NM1090 PRO | 2TB | $269.99 |
| NM1090 PRO | 4TB | Coming later in summer 2025, according to the announcement; no MSRP stated there. |
Check retailers for live pricing, stock and capacity options before buying. The launch announcement’s prices should not be used as a current-value comparison.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [2TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 1500TBW
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Designed with a heatsink to keep your rig cool for better performance and power efficiency
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
Rank #4
- [4TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 3000TBW
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Designed with a heatsink to keep your rig cool for better performance and power efficiency
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
Rank #3
- [4TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 3000TBW
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
- Designed for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators
Which drive makes more sense?
- Consider the NQ780 if your system supports PCIe 4.0, you want a single-sided 2280 option, and its current price suits your budget. The independent results available here cover only its 4TB version and one review setup.
- Consider the NM1090 PRO if your system supports PCIe 5.0 and you have suitable space and cooling, and its current price and intended workload justify a higher-spec drive. Its advertised sequential ceilings are higher, but the cited independent review does not test it.
- Compare real needs, not just peak read rates. For a gaming library, also consider capacity, game-specific behavior and the price you can actually buy at; for creative projects, consider file sizes and the applications involved.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
