Replacing or upgrading a laptop hard drive MSI - one of the most effective procedures for increasing device performance. Be it slow HDD at 5400 rpm or obsolete SSD With a small volume, a properly selected drive can breathe a second life into your laptop. However, choosing the right model is not an easy task: you need to take into account the form factor, connection interface, BIOS compatibility, and even the specifics of cooling in the case MSI.

In this article we will look at all the nuances: from determining the type of supported drive to step-by-step instructions for replacement. You will find out which models SSD NVMe show better results in laptops MSI GE66 Raider or MSI Prestige 14, how to avoid errors when cloning a system, and why some disks may not be detected in the BIOS. And if you have already encountered a problem, at the end of the article there is a section with solutions to the most common faults.

How to Determine the Compatible Hard Drive Type for Your MSI Laptop

The first step is to find out which drive your model supports. U MSI There are two key features:

  • 🔧 Form factor: Most modern laptops (for example, series GS66 Stealth or GF63 Thin) use M.2 2280 for SSD. Older models (pre-2017) may have slots for 2.5" SATA or even mSATA.
  • 🔌 Interface: current laptops support PCIe 3.0/4.0 NVMe, but budget series (for example, Modern 14) are sometimes limited SATA III even for M.2.
  • 📦 Number of slots: flagship models (GT77 Titan) often have 2–3 SSD slots, while ultrabooks (Prestige 15) - only one.

To determine exactly what type is supported:

  1. Run the utility msinfo32 (click Win + R, enter the command). In the section Components → Storage devices the current drive will be indicated.
  2. Use CPU-Z (tab SPD → select disk slot) or HWiNFO for detailed information about the interface.
  3. Check the official documentation on the site MSI by laptop model (section Specifications → Storage).
📊 What type of drive is installed in your MSI laptop?
  • HDD 2.5" SATA
  • SSD M.2 SATA
  • SSD M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0
  • SSD M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0
  • I don't know

Attention! Some laptops MSI (For example, GL65 Leopard) have combination slots: one for SATA M.2, another for PCIe NVMe. Installing an unsuitable disk will result in it simply not being detected by the system.

Top 5 MSI Laptop HDDs in 2026

We analyzed performance tests, user reviews and compatibility with popular models MSIto rank the best drives. The selection criteria were read/write speed, reliability, price/volume ratio and support for technologies like TCG Opal for encryption.

Model Type Capacity Speed (read/write) Best use Price (approx.)
Samsung 990 Pro NVMe PCIe 4.0 1–2 TB 7450 / 6900 MB/s Gaming laptops (Raider GE78), video processing 12 000–22 000 ₽
WD Black SN850X NVMe PCIe 4.0 1–4 TB 7300 / 6600 MB/s Heavy tasks, multitasking 11 000–30 000 ₽
Crucial T700 NVMe PCIe 5.0 1–2 TB 12,400 / 11,800 MB/s Flagship models (Titan GT77) 25 000–45 000 ₽
Kingston KC3000 NVMe PCIe 4.0 500 GB–2 TB 7000 / 6000 MB/s Budget upgrade for GF63, Katana 6 000–15 000 ₽
Seagate FireCuda 530 NVMe PCIe 4.0 500 GB–4 TB 7300 / 6900 MB/s Reliability (5 years warranty), for Creator 15 10 000–35 000 ₽

Important: MSI laptops with 12th generation Intel chipset or later (e.g. Raider GE67 HX) support PCIe 5.0, but only specialized software (for example, 8K rendering) will provide a real performance boost. PCIe 4.0 is enough for games and everyday tasks.

If you need HDD for storing data (for example, in MSI GP76 Leopard with two slots), please note:

  • 💾 Seagate Barracuda 2 TB (7200 rpm, 128 MB cache) - optimal for gaming builds.
  • 💾 WD Blue 1 TB (5400 rpm) - quiet and economical for office laptops.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the hard drive in an MSI laptop

Before starting work, prepare:

Torx T5 screwdriver (for most MSI models)

Plastic paddle or pick

Antistatic wrist strap (optional)

New drive

USB flash drive with a system clone (if data transfer is needed)

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Next, follow the algorithm:

  1. Turn off your laptop and disconnect the charger. Turn it upside down.
  2. Remove the back cover:
    • In models MSI GS66 And GE76 the cover is secured with 10–12 screws Torx T5.
    • In ultrabooks (Prestige 14) the screws may be under the rubber feet.
    How to remove the cover without damage?

    Start at the corners, carefully prying with a plastic spatula. If the cover does not budge, check that all the screws are unscrewed (sometimes they are hidden under stickers). Do not use force - in MSI often use latches that can be broken.

  3. Remove the old drive:
    • For M.2 SSD: Unscrew the fixing screw, gently pull the disc at an angle of 30°.
    • For 2.5" HDD: Disconnect the SATA cable and remove the drive from the tray.
  4. Install a new drive:
    • For NVMe SSD: Insert the drive into the slot at an angle, then secure it with a screw. Make sure the contacts are not bent!
    • For SATA SSD/HDD: Use the original slide or adapter.
  • Assemble your laptop in reverse order. Turn on and check the drive in BIOS (DEL on boot → section Storage).

    • ⚠️ Attention: In laptops MSI with two M.2 slots, the second slot can operate in SATA-only (for example, in GL65 9SC). Before purchasing a second drive, check the specifications!

    Cloning the system to a new disk: without losing data

    If you want to transfer Windows and programs to a new SSD without a clean installation, use specialized utilities. Best Options for Laptops MSI:

    • 🖥️ Macrium Reflect Free - supports NVMe and allows you to resize partitions when cloning.
    • 🖥️ Clonezilla - free, but requires skills in working with the Linux interface.
    • 🖥️ Samsung Data Migration - optimized for disks Samsung, but works with others too.

    Instructions for Macrium Reflect:

    1. Connect the new drive via USB adapter (For example, ORICO M.2 NVMe Enclosure).
    2. Run Macrium Reflect, select the source drive and click Clone this disk.
    3. In the cloning wizard, select the new disk, check the box Resize partitions (if the capacity is different).
    4. Click Finish and wait for completion (may take 1–3 hours depending on the amount of data).
    5. After cloning unplug the old drive and boot from the new one.

    💡

    If Windows does not boot after cloning, go to BIOS (DEL at startup) and in the section Boot select the new drive manually. Sometimes resetting the BIOS settings to default helps (Load Optimized Defaults).

    Optimizing the performance of a new drive in an MSI laptop

    Installing a fast SSD is only half the battle. To unlock its potential, make the following settings:

    • ⚡ Enable AHCI mode:
      1. Reboot your laptop, go into BIOS (DEL).
      2. Find a section Advanced → Storage Configuration.
      3. Install SATA Mode or M.2 Mode in meaning AHCI (not RAID!).
  • ⚡ Disable defragmentation for SSD:
    • Open Control Panel → Administrative Tools → Disk Defragmentation and Optimization.
    • Select SSD and click Change settings → uncheck Execute on schedule.
  • ⚡ Activate TRIM (for SSD): 
    fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0

    Enter this command in Command line on behalf of the administrator.

    • For gaming laptops (MSI GT77, Raider GE68) additionally recommended:

    • 🎮 Install disk in first M.2 slot (usually it is connected to the processor, not to the chipset, which gives +10–15% speed).
    • 🎮 Disable Fast Startup in the power settings - this reduces wear on the SSD.

      • 💡

      In MSI laptops with Optane Memory (For example, MSI Modern 15) before replacing the drive, you must disable Optane in the utility Intel Rapid Storage Technology, otherwise the new SSD will not be recognized.

      Common problems and their solutions

      Even after proper installation, the new drive may not work correctly. Let's look at typical scenarios:

      Problem Possible reason Solution
      Disk is not visible in BIOS Incompatible interface (for example, PCIe 4.0 in a PCIe 3.0 slot) Check the laptop specifications. For MSI GL65 Only PCIe 3.0 is suitable.
      SSD is detected, but Windows does not boot Bootloader error after cloning Recover bootloader via bootrec /fixmbr in Command line (booted from a flash drive).
      Low read/write speed The disk operates in x2 PCIe instead of x4 Update the laptop BIOS (download from MSI official website).
      Laptop overheats after replacement Thermal pad missing on new SSD Buy a copper gasket 0.5–1 mm thick and install it on the disk controller.

      ⚠️ Attention: In laptops MSI with RAID configuration (For example, GE75 Raider with two SSDs), replacing one drive may result in loss of the array. Before replacing, make a backup of your data and disable RAID in the BIOS!

      FAQ: answers to popular questions

      Is it possible to install two SSDs in an MSI laptop?

      Yes, but there are two things to consider:

      1. Check the number of physical slots (for example, in MSI GP66 Leopard there are two of them, and in MSI Modern 14 - one).
      2. Make sure that the second slot supports the desired protocol (in MSI GL75 the second slot often only works by SATA, even if the connector is M.2).

      For maximum performance, install the main SSD in the first slot (connected to the processor), and the second for data storage.

      Which drive is better for gaming: NVMe or SATA SSD?

      For modern games (Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2) difference between NVMe PCIe 4.0 And SATA SSD minimal - the main influence is speed loading levels. However:

      • 🎮 NVMe will give an increase in open worlds (less friezes when streaming textures).
      • 💰 SATA SSD cheaper and enough for most games (if the capacity is 1 TB or more).

      For MSI Raider GE78 with PCIe 5.0 support it makes sense to take Crucial T700, but for MSI Katana GF66 that's enough Kingston KC3000 (PCIe 4.0).

      Do I need to update the BIOS before replacing the drive?

      Updating the BIOS is recommended if:

      • 🔄 Your laptop was released before 2020 (for example, MSI GS65 Stealth).
      • 🔄 You install the disk PCIe 4.0/5.0 to a model that natively supports only PCIe 3.0.
      • 🔄 In the list of changes in the latest BIOS version there is an item Improved NVMe compatibility.

      Download the firmware only from MSI official websiteby choosing the exact laptop model!

      What should I do if my MSI laptop does not turn on after replacing the drive?

      Possible causes and solutions:

      1. Short circuit: Check if the pins on the SSD and slot are bent. Carefully remove and reinsert the drive.
      2. Incompatibility: some laptops MSI (For example, WE76) require disks with support TCG Opal for encryption.
      3. Reset BIOS: unplug the laptop, remove the battery (if removable), press the power button for 30 seconds. Then return the battery and turn on the device.

      If the laptop turns on, but the screen is black, connect an external monitor. Perhaps the graphics settings have gone wrong.

      How can I transfer my Windows license to a new drive?

      Windows 10/11 license in laptops MSI usually tied to the motherboard (built into the BIOS). After replacing the disk:

      1. Install Windows on a new SSD without entering a key.
      2. Connect to the Internet - activation will occur automatically.
      3. If it doesn't work, use the utility ShowKeyPlus to extract the key from the old disk.

      For OEM versions (pre-installed on MSI) reinstallation on the same laptop is allowed without restrictions.