Let’s face it, nobody likes staring at a loading screen, especially when you’re itching to jump into the action. Traditional hard drives just can’t keep up with modern game assets, leading to frustratingly long load times and sometimes even in-game stutter. That’s where Solid State Drives (SSDs) come in, and if you’re a gamer on the hunt for the Lexar best SSD for gaming budget, you’re in the right place!
Lexar has carved out a reputation for delivering reliable and performant storage solutions that don’t break the bank. In this guide, we’ll dive into five excellent Lexar SSDs that offer fantastic value, blazing speeds, and a significant upgrade for your gaming PC or console without emptying your wallet. Whether you’re building a new rig, upgrading an old one, or just need more space for your ever-growing game library, there’s a Lexar option here for you.
Why Choose Lexar for Your Gaming SSD?
Lexar isn’t just another name in the SSD market. They’ve consistently offered competitive pricing paired with solid performance and durability. For budget-conscious gamers, this means getting top-tier speeds, quicker boot times, and drastically reduced loading screens without having to compromise on quality or reliability. They often leverage cutting-edge technologies like PCIe Gen4 and NVMe to ensure you’re getting some of the fastest data transfer speeds available, making them a smart choice when looking for the Lexar best SSD for gaming budget.
Our Top 5 Lexar SSD Picks for Gamers on a Budget
Ready to supercharge your gaming experience? Let’s check out these fantastic Lexar SSDs!
Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD
If you’re a serious PC gamer or a PlayStation 5 owner looking for top-tier performance without emptying your wallet, the Lexar 1TB NM790 is an absolute game-changer. This internal NVMe SSD delivers blistering speeds that will drastically cut down your load times, making your games feel snappier and more responsive. It’s a fantastic choice for those who want to experience the full potential of PCIe Gen4 without a hefty price tag, striking an excellent balance between cost and high-end performance.
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Key Features:
- 1TB capacity for a solid game library.
- Exceptional read speeds up to 7400MB/s, write speeds up to 6500MB/s.
- 1000TBW endurance rating for long-term reliability.
- 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 for smooth transfer speeds and seamless performance.
- Designed for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators.
- Fully compatible with PlayStation 5 consoles.
- Single-sided NVMe SSD design makes it perfect for laptops.
- Comes with a five-year limited warranty for peace of mind.
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Pros:
- Blazing fast speeds for rapid game loading and system responsiveness.
- Excellent endurance rating ensures a long lifespan.
- Very power efficient, great for laptops and reducing heat.
- Directly compatible with PlayStation 5 for easy console upgrades.
- Outstanding value for a high-performance PCIe Gen4 drive.
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Cons:
- Uses HMB instead of a dedicated DRAM cache, though performance impact is minimal for most users.
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User Impressions:
Gamers consistently praise the NM790 for its incredible speed and how it transforms their gaming experience. Many PS5 owners highlight its easy installation and impressive performance gains, often noting it rivals more expensive drives. It’s frequently cited as the ideal choice when searching for the Lexar best SSD for gaming budget for internal PC or console use.
Lexar 1TB NQ780 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD
The Lexar 1TB NQ780 SSD is a solid contender for gamers who value consistent, sustained performance and overall system responsiveness. While its peak write speeds aren’t as high as the NM790, its high-quality 8-channel Gen 4 controller, coupled with HMB and SLC cache technologies, ensures a remarkably smooth and consistent user experience, especially during longer gaming sessions or large file transfers. It’s a fantastic, balanced option for a primary gaming drive.
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Key Features:
- Delivers impressive read/write speeds up to 6500/2500 MB/s for fast gameplay and boot-ups.
- High-quality 8-channel Gen 4 controller provides better sustained write performance.
- HMB and SLC cache technologies improve performance, reduce latency, and enhance user experience.
- Great for laptops due to its single-sided design and Intelligent Power Control.
- Includes the Lexar DiskMaster SSD Management tool for firmware updates, drive management, and health monitoring.
- Backed by a 5-year limited warranty for reliability.
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Pros:
- Excellent sustained write performance, crucial for large game installs and updates.
- Optimized for consistent performance and low latency.
- Single-sided design is highly compatible with thin laptops.
- Useful software utility for managing the drive’s health and firmware.
- A cost-effective PCIe Gen4 option with good overall speed.
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Cons:
- Lower peak write speeds compared to the NM790 model.
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User Impressions:
Users often commend the NQ780 for its reliable and consistent performance, highlighting its ability to maintain speeds even under heavy workloads. Laptop users particularly appreciate its compatibility and efficient power usage. Many find it to be a fantastic upgrade for older systems or a solid foundation for a new budget build.
Lexar 2TB NM790 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD
For gamers with expansive digital libraries or content creators who need serious space without sacrificing speed, the Lexar 2TB NM790 SSD is a dream come true. This larger capacity variant carries all the incredible speed and efficiency of its 1TB sibling, offering a massive 2TB of storage that still delivers blazing-fast PCIe Gen4 performance. If you’re looking for significant internal storage expansion that won’t compromise your budget or your loading times, this is a top-tier choice.
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Key Features:
- Massive 2TB capacity, perfect for extensive game collections and large media files.
- Exceptional read speeds up to 7400MB/s, write speeds up to 6500MB/s.
- Impressive 1500TBW endurance rating, guaranteeing longevity.
- 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 ensures smooth data transfers.
- Ideal for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators.
- Fully compatible with PlayStation 5.
- Single-sided NVMe SSD design, suitable for laptops.
- Backed by a five-year limited warranty.
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Pros:
- Huge capacity means you won’t run out of space for years.
- Maintains the same incredible read/write speeds as the 1TB version.
- Higher TBW rating for even greater durability.
- Still remarkably power-efficient for its performance level.
- Excellent choice for future-proofing your gaming setup or console.
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Cons:
- Higher initial cost due to increased capacity, though still great value for 2TB Gen4.
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User Impressions:
Gamers who’ve upgraded to the 2TB NM790 rave about the sheer convenience of having so much fast storage. They consistently report lightning-fast game loads and seamless multitasking, making it a favorite for those who refuse to delete games to make space. It’s often recommended as the Lexar best SSD for gaming budget when significant storage is a primary concern.
Lexar 2TB ES3 External SSD, Up to 1050MB/s Read
Sometimes, internal storage just isn’t enough, or you need the flexibility to carry your games and files with you. The Lexar 2TB ES3 External SSD is an incredibly fast and robust portable storage solution. Delivering speeds significantly faster than traditional hard drives, it’s perfect for quickly backing up large game files, expanding console storage, or moving massive media projects between devices. Its durable design and built-in heat dissipation make it ideal for demanding use on the go.
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Key Features:
- 2TB capacity for extensive portable storage.
- Up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds, 9.5X faster than HDDs.
- Super-fast backups and instant storage expansion.
- Built-in double-layer graphite sheets for efficient heat dissipation.
- Drop-resistant up to 2 meters, ensuring durability.
- Plug-and-play compatibility with a 2-in-1 USB-C/USB-A cable.
- Works with PC, Mac, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles.
- Includes Lexar DataShield 256-bit AES encryption software for file protection.
- Access to Lexar Recovery Tool to restore accidentally deleted files.
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Pros:
- Highly portable and exceptionally fast for an external drive.
- Excellent build quality with drop resistance and heat management.
- Broad compatibility across various devices.
- Includes security and data recovery software, adding value.
- Great for expanding console game libraries or carrying large PC game installs.
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Cons:
- Performance dependent on the host device’s USB 3.2 Gen2 support.
- Not suitable as a primary OS drive (which is typical for external SSDs).
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User Impressions:
Reviewers are impressed by the ES3’s speed and ruggedness. Gamers love using it to store their extensive game collections for consoles or quick transfers between PCs. Its compact size and included security features are frequently highlighted as major benefits for anyone needing dependable portable storage.
Lexar ES3 1TB External SSD, USB 3.2 Gen2 Portable SSD
If you need the portability and speed of an external SSD but a 1TB capacity is sufficient for your needs, the Lexar ES3 1TB is an excellent, compact choice. It shares all the fantastic features of its 2TB sibling, including rapid USB 3.2 Gen 2 transfer speeds and a durable, sleek design. What makes this version particularly stand out is its broad compatibility, including the latest iPhone 15 series, making it incredibly versatile for gamers, content creators, and everyday users who are always on the go.
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Key Features:
- 1TB portable storage, perfect for essentials on the move.
- High-speed data transfer: USB 3.2 Gen 2 up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write.
- Wide compatibility: iPhone 15 series, Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, and other gaming consoles.
- Thin, stylish, and durable metal design, weighing only 42g and 10.5mm thick.
- Comes with a Type-C cable for plug-and-play convenience.
- Includes Lexar DataShield 256-bit AES encryption software for file protection.
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Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and portable, smaller than a credit card.
- Blazing fast transfer speeds for an external drive.
- Exceptional compatibility, especially with the latest iPhone 15.
- Durable metal casing offers good protection.
- Includes strong data encryption for sensitive files.
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Cons:
- Performance may be lower if your device doesn’t support USB 3.2 Gen 2.
- Not compatible with iPhone 14 and older models (for direct connection).
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User Impressions:
Users praise the 1TB ES3 for its pocket-friendly size and impressive speed. Many iPhone 15 users are thrilled with its direct compatibility for video recording and data transfer. It’s often seen as the perfect companion for anyone needing reliable, fast, and secure portable storage for their diverse tech ecosystem.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Gaming SSDs Answered
Finding the Lexar best SSD for gaming budget can bring up a few questions. Here are some common ones to help you make an informed decision:
Q1: Why should I choose an SSD over a traditional HDD for gaming?
A1: SSDs offer significantly faster load times, quicker boot-ups, and smoother in-game performance compared to HDDs. Games installed on SSDs will launch faster, levels will load in seconds instead of minutes, and texture pop-in will be greatly reduced, enhancing your overall gaming experience.
Q2: What does “NVMe” mean, and why is it important for gaming?
A2: NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a communication protocol specifically designed for SSDs that connects directly to the CPU via the PCIe interface. This direct connection drastically reduces latency and boosts bandwidth, leading to much faster data transfer speeds than older SATA SSDs. For gaming, this means even quicker load times for large game files and highly detailed environments.
Q3: What’s the difference between PCIe Gen3 and Gen4 SSDs?
A3: PCIe Gen4 is the newer generation of the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express interface, offering double the bandwidth of PCIe Gen3. This translates to significantly higher sequential read and write speeds. While both are excellent, Gen4 SSDs provide the absolute fastest performance, which is becoming increasingly relevant for cutting-edge games and applications, especially on platforms like the PS5.
Q4: Can I use these Lexar SSDs with my PlayStation 5?
A4: Yes! Both the Lexar NM790 1TB and 2TB models are fully compatible with the PlayStation 5. They meet or exceed Sony’s recommended specifications for speed and form factor, making them excellent choices for expanding your PS5’s internal storage. The external ES3 models can also be used for PS4/PS5 game storage, though PS5 games typically need to be moved to the internal drive to be played.
Q5: How difficult is it to install an internal M.2 NVMe SSD?
A5: For most modern motherboards and PS5s, installing an M.2 NVMe SSD is relatively straightforward. You’ll typically need a small Phillips head screwdriver. The SSD slides into a dedicated M.2 slot and is secured with a small screw. Many motherboards now also feature tool-less M.2 installation. For laptops, it can vary, but often involves opening the bottom panel.
Q6: Are external SSDs good for gaming, or are internal ones always better?
A6: Internal SSDs (like the NM790 and NQ780) are generally preferred for installing your operating system and primary game library due to their direct connection to the motherboard, offering the highest performance. External SSDs (like the ES3 models) are excellent for expanding storage for consoles, carrying large game installations to different PCs, or quickly backing up files. While very fast, they usually don’t match the absolute peak performance of internal NVMe drives and are typically not used as boot drives for your main OS.
Q7: What does “TBW” mean, and why is it important for an SSD?
A7: TBW stands for “Terabytes Written.” It’s a measure of an SSD’s endurance, indicating how much data can be written to the drive over its lifetime before it’s expected to fail. A higher TBW rating means the drive is designed to last longer under heavy use. For gamers, especially those frequently installing, uninstalling, and updating large games, a decent TBW rating ensures your SSD will stand the test of time. Lexar’s NM790 models have excellent TBW ratings, indicating robust longevity.
Conclusion: Your Budget-Friendly Path to Faster Gaming
Upgrading to an SSD is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to your gaming setup, whether it’s a PC or a console. Lexar consistently delivers high-performance drives that offer exceptional value, making them a top contender when you’re searching for the Lexar best SSD for gaming budget.
From the blazing-fast internal NM790 series that will slash your load times on PC and PS5, to the reliable and consistent NQ780, and the versatile, durable external ES3 models, Lexar has a solution for every gamer’s needs and wallet. Don’t let slow storage hold you back any longer; pick up a Lexar SSD and experience your games like never before!