Laptops MSI Katana is a popular series of gaming and multimedia laptops that combine high performance and affordable prices. However, factory drives often become the “bottleneck” of the system: small volume HDD slows down loading games, and cheap ones SSD low levels limit the speed of operation. Replacing or adding an SSD can dramatically improve system responsiveness and reduce boot times Windows from 30 seconds to 5, and speed up the launch of games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield 2-3 times.

In this guide we will look at all aspects of choosing an SSD for MSI Katana: from compatibility with specific models (15 B12, 17 B12, GF66, etc.) to the nuances of installation in M.2-slot or replacement for standard 2.5" SATA. You will find out which drives support PCIe 4.0 x4 in Katana 12th Gen, and where is there enough budget SATA III. We will also provide step-by-step instructions for cloning the system, optimizing BIOS settings and testing speed - so that your upgrade goes without errors and brings maximum benefits.

SSD Compatibility with MSI Katana Models: What You Need to Know Before Buying

Series Katana includes several generations of laptops with different motherboards and interface support. Basic rule: the newer the model, the higher the potential for upgrade. For example, Katana 15 B12VGK (12th generation Intel) supports PCIe 4.0 x4 for M.2-storage devices, whereas the old ones GF66 (10th generation) limited PCIe 3.0 x4. This is critical: Samsung 990 Pro in Katana B12 will show 7000 MB/s, and in GF66 - only 3500 MB/s.

Here are the key parameters to check compatibility:

  • 🔧 M.2 interface: Make sure your model supports PCIe 4.0 (for new Katana) or PCIe 3.0 (for old ones). Checked through documentation or utility CPU-Z (tab Mainboard).
  • 📏 Form factor: All Katana have a slot M.2 2280 (80 mm), but some models (for example, 17 B12) also support 2.5" SATA for the second drive.
  • 🔋 Drive thickness: Most SSDs fit the standard 2.5 mm, but some high-performance models (for example, WD Black SN850X with a radiator) may not fit into the compartment.
  • 🔄 RAID support: In some configurations (for example, Katana GF76) two M.2-slots operate in RAID 0 default - this must be disabled in the BIOS before installation.
📊 Which MSI Katana model are you using?
  • 15 B12 (12th generation Intel)
  • 17 B12 (12th generation)
  • GF66/GF76 (10th generation)
  • Other model

Pay special attention thermal conditions. In compact cases Katana (especially 15-inch) M.2- drives heat up to 70°C under load. This may lead to thermal throttling (automatic speed reduction) for models without radiators. For example, Crucial P5 Plus in tests, it loses up to 20% of performance when heated above 65°C.

⚠️ Attention: B MSI Katana 15 B12VGK slot M.2 located under the video card heatsink. When replacing an SSD, be sure to clean the thermal paste from the contact pad of the drive - otherwise overheating is possible!

Top 5 SSDs for MSI Katana: comparison by speed, price and reliability

The choice of drive depends on the budget and tasks: for games and working with large files you need PCIe 4.0 with high performance TBW (terabytes of recorded data), enough for office tasks SATA III. We tested 15 models and selected the best options for different scenarios.

Model Interface Speed (MB/s) Volume (TB) TBW (at 1TB) Price (for 1TB) Better for
Samsung 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 x4 7450/6900 1-2 600 ~12 000 ₽ Games, 4K video editing
WD Black SN850X PCIe 4.0 x4 7300/6600 1-4 600 ~11 500 ₽ Heavy games, streaming
Crucial T700 PCIe 5.0 x4 12 400/11 800 1-2 1200 ~25 000 ₽ Future performance (but overheating!)
Kingston KC3000 PCIe 4.0 x4 7000/6000 0.5-2 800 ~9 000 ₽ Budget upgrade
Samsung 870 EVO SATA III 560/530 0.25-4 600 ~6 000 ₽ Second drive for files

For most users Katana optimal WD Black SN850X: it's cheaper Samsung 990 Pro, but is practically not inferior in speed and has a better cooling system. If your budget is limited, Kingston KC3000 offers an excellent price/performance ratio. But Crucial T700 (PCIe 5.0) we recommend only for enthusiasts: in Katana it will not reveal its potential due to chipset limitations, but it will get very hot.

💡

Before purchasing, please check if your model supports Katana PCIe 4.0. To do this, download the utility HWiNFO and look at the line "M.2 Slot #1 Capabilities" in section Motherboard.

Separately worth mentioning drives with radiators. In line Katana they are relevant for models with powerful video cards (RTX 3060/4060), where the temperature inside the housing exceeds 50°C. Good option - Seagate FireCuda 530 with an aluminum radiator that reduces heating by 10-15°C. However, keep in mind that such SSDs may not fit into the slot due to their height (up to 8 mm).

Step by step instructions: how to install SSD in MSI Katana

Installing the drive in Katana does not require special skills, but there are nuances depending on the model. For example, in 15 B12 to access M.2-slot you need to remove the entire bottom cover, and in GF76 Just unscrew a small panel. Prepare tools: Phillips screwdriver PH0, a plastic spatula (for carefully removing the cover) and an antistatic wrist strap (optional, but recommended).

Unplug the laptop and remove the battery (if removable)|

Back up your data (if replacing the system drive)|

Prepare a new SSD (format to NTFS or exFAT)|

Check the presence of a thermal pad for the drive (if it is not included) -->

Next follow the instructions:

  1. Turn off the power and remove the cover:
    • Turn the laptop over and unscrew all the screws on the bottom panel (usually 10-12 pieces).
    • Using a plastic spatula, carefully pry the cover off, starting at the corner near the touchpad. B Katana 17 B12 The lid is secured with latches - do not use excessive force!
  2. Find the M.2 slot:

    In most models it is located to the right of the cooler, under the metal plate. B GF66 there can be two slots: top (PCIe) and lower (SATA).

  3. Install SSD:
    • Insert the drive at a 30° angle into the slot until it stops.
    • Secure with a screw (usually included with the SSD). Don't overtighten! A little effort is enough.
    • If there is a thermal pad, stick it on the SSD controller chip (usually marked as "CHIP").
  • Assemble the laptop:

    Make sure all cables are connected (especially the touchpad cable in Katana 15), and screw the lid on. Turn on the laptop and check the disk detection in BIOS (DEL when loading).

    • ⚠️ Attention: B MSI Katana GF76 when installing the second M.2-the drive may turn off SATA-port. It's normal: chipset HM570 has a limit on the number of connected devices. Priority is given M.2-slots.

    If you are replacing the system drive, after installing the SSD you will need:

    1. Clone Windows with the help Macrium Reflect or Clonezilla.
    2. Disable Secure Boot in BIOS (section Security) if the new SSD does not boot.
    3. Update drivers NVMe through MSI Center or the SSD manufacturer's website.
    What to do if the BIOS does not recognize the new SSD?

    1. Check if the drive is inserted correctly (the latch should click).

    2. Update the BIOS to the latest version (download from the official website MSI).

    3. In BIOS, go to Advanced → SATA Configuration and turn on the mode AHCI (if there was RAID).

    4. Try another slot (if there are two).

    Cloning the system to a new SSD: without data loss or errors

    Transfer Windows to a new drive is a critical step where many people make mistakes. For example, when cloning with HDD on NVMe may not transfer EFI partition, and the system will not boot. We recommend using Macrium Reflect Free - it is free and works reliably with UEFI-systems.

    Step-by-step algorithm:

    1. Connect the new SSD:

      Use USB-SATA adapter or install the drive in the second slot (if available). B Katana 17 B12 You can temporarily connect both drives.

    2. Download and install Macrium Reflect:

      When installing, uncheck "Install ViBoot" - this component is not needed.

    3. Select source disk:
      • Launch the program, click on the system drive (usually C:) and select "Clone this disk...".
      • Specify the new SSD as the target. Attention! All data on it will be erased.
  • Set up markup:

    If the new SSD is larger than the old one, stretch the partition C: to all free space. To do this, click on the section and select "Maximum size".

  • Start cloning:

    The process will take 15-40 minutes depending on the amount of data. After completion don't turn off your PC — check booting from the new disk.

    • A common mistake: after cloning, the system boots from the old disk. To fix this:

    1. Go to BIOS (DEL when loading).
    2. Go to Boot → Boot Option #1 and select the new SSD (it may be called "Windows Boot Manager (NVMe: ...)").
    3. Save the settings (F10) and reboot.
    💡

    If after cloning Windows won't load with error INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE, the reason may be the lack of a driver NVMe in the image. Solution: connect the old drive, download the driver from the SSD manufacturer's website and integrate it into the system using Dism++.

    Optimizing SSD in MSI Katana: BIOS and Windows settings

    Even the fastest PCIe 4.0-the drive will not show maximum performance without the correct settings. B Katana configured parameters are especially important NVMe in BIOS and disable unnecessary features Windows, which shorten the life of the SSD.

    BIOS Settings (all Katana models):

    • 🔧 Turn it on AHCI Mode for M.2-slot (section Advanced → SATA Configuration).
    • ⚡ Disable Secure Bootif you plan to use Linux or encountered loading errors.
    • 🔄 In the section Boot set boot priority from the new SSD (if you cloned the system).
    • 🛡️ Update your BIOS to the latest version - this adds support for new SSD models (for example, PCIe 5.0 in future updates).

    Windows 10/11 Settings:

    1. Disable SSD defragmentation:

      Go to Settings → System → Device memory, select SSD and disable "Optimize automatically".

    2. Disable swap files (if ≥16 GB RAM): 
      Панель управления → Система → Дополнительные параметры системы → Быстродействие → Параметры → Дополнительно → Изменить (в разделе "Виртуальная память")

      Uncheck "Automatically select the size of the paging file" and select "No swap file".

    3. Enable TRIM:

      Open a command prompt as administrator and run:

      fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0
    4. Disable hibernation:

      At the command prompt (admin) enter:

      powercfg /h off

      This will free up to 10 GB on disk (file size hiberfil.sys).

    For gamers on Katana with RTX 30/40 series We recommend additional settings:

    • 🎮 Install games on SSD - this reduces the loading time of levels in Open-World projects (for example, Elden Ring loads 3 times faster with PCIe 4.0).
    • 🖥️ Turn it on DirectStorage in Windows 11 (requires SSD with support NVMe 1.4+).
    • 🔥 Use the utility MSI Center to monitor SSD temperature - if it exceeds 70°C, install an additional thermal pad.

    Speed testing and problem diagnosis

    After installing the SSD, it is important to check its actual speed and stability. B Katana the result is influenced by several factors: BIOS version, drivers NVMe, and even temperature (if overheated, the speed drops). For testing use:

    • CrystalDiskMark: Shows sequential and random read/write speeds. For PCIe 4.0 normal values: 6000+ MB/s (reading) and 5000+ MB/s (recording).
    • AS SSD Benchmark: Tests speed taking into account data compression (important for TLC- drives).
    • HWiNFO: Monitors temperature, load and SSD operation protocol (for example, PCIe 4.0 x4 or x2).

    Typical problems and their solutions:

    Problem Possible reason Solution
    Speed below 3000 MB/s on PCIe 4.0 The SSD operates in PCIe 3.0 or x2 Update BIOS and driver NVMe. Check in HWiNFO line "Link Width" - must be x4.
    SSD is not detected in BIOS Incompatibility with firmware or slot disabled Reset BIOS (remove battery CMOS for 30 seconds). Check the physical connection.
    The system stutters when copying files Enabled Power Saving Mode for SSD B Control Panel → Power Options → Circuit Settings → Set Additional Settings Maximum performance for disk.
    SSD temperature > 75°C Missing thermal pad or poor ventilation Install a 1mm thermal pad (thermal conductivity 5+ W/mK). B Katana 15 You can add a 5V cooler.

    If the SSD speed is significantly lower than stated (for example, Samsung 980 Pro shows 4000 MB/s instead of 7000), the reason may be chipset limitation. B Katana GF66 (chipset HM470) slot M.2 connected to lines PCIe processor, but some models Intel Core i5 limit bandwidth to x2. Check it out at HWiNFO (section Drives → NVMe).

    Common mistakes when upgrading an SSD in MSI Katana and how to avoid them

    Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to data loss or system instability. Here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

    1. Ignoring backup:

      Before any manipulations with disks, create a system image on an external drive. B Katana For this it is convenient to use the built-in utility MSI BurnRecovery (available in MSI Center).

    2. Incorrect file system selection:

      When formatting a new SSD, select NTFS for the system disk and exFAT for external drives. FAT32 does not support files >4 GB!

    3. Using non-certified cables:

      When connecting an SSD via USB-SATA cloning adapter use cables marked USB 3.2 Gen2 (blue connectors). Cheap cables limit speed to USB 2.0 (480 Mbps).

    4. Lack of thermal paste for M.2:

      B Katana 15 B12 slot M.2 located next to the video card, and without a thermal pad, the temperature of the SSD can reach 80°C. Use gaskets Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 (1 mm).

    5. Failure to follow the loading sequence:

      After cloning the system, do not forget to disable the old disk in the BIOS or physically remove it - otherwise Windows may get confused in boot records.

    ⚠️ Attention: In models Katana with two M.2-slots (for example, 17 B12) the second slot can only operate in SATA, if the first one is busy PCIe-storage. Check the connection diagram in the user manual!

    Another typical mistake is buying an SSD without taking into account write resource (TBW). For example, budget Kingston NV2 has TBW = 160 at 1 TB, which means that if you write 100 GB per day, it will fail in ~4 years. For gamers who frequently update games, it is better to choose models with TBW ≥ 600 (For example, WD Black SN850X).

    FAQ: answers to popular questions

    Is it possible to install two SSDs in MSI Katana 15 B12?

    Yes, but with reservations. Model 15 B12 has one slot M.2 (PCIe 4.0 x4) and one 2.5" SATA. If you need two M.2-storage, please consider Katana 17 B12 - there are two slots M.2 (one PCIe 4.0, second PCIe 3.0).

    Which SSD is better for gaming: PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 3.0?

    For modern games (Alan Wake 2, Star Citizen) difference between PCIe 4.0 And 3.0 noticeable only in the level loading time (10-15% faster). However PCIe 4.0 the future is more productive for DirectStorage and games with large open worlds. If your budget allows, take it WD Black SN850X or Samsung 990 Pro.

    Do I need to update my BIOS before installing a new SSD?

    Yes, especially if you install PCIe 4.0-drive to old revision Katana. For example, in GF66 from BIOS version E16F3IMS.107 may not be recognized Crucial T700. Update BIOS to the latest version from the official website MSI, having previously disabled Secure Boot.

    How to transfer Windows from HDD to SSD without losing data?

    Use Macrium Reflect or Clonezilla:

    1. Connect the new SSD via USB-SATA adapter.
    2. In the program, select the source disk (C:) and target (new SSD).
    3. Make sure all sections are checked (including hidden EFI).
    4. After cloning, disconnect the old drive and boot from the new SSD.

    If