MSI Cyborg 15 AV12 & AV13 SSD Upgrade [Full Guide]

Many standard configurations of MSI Cyborg 15 come with limited storage, which can fill up quickly with modern games, large files, and software updates, leading to slower performance as the drive becomes crowded.

Upgrading MSI Cyborg 15 AV12 or AV13 SSD delivers significantly faster boot times, quicker game loading, smoother multitasking, and overall snappier system responsiveness. This is especially significant for those who rely on fast data access and need more space for demanding applications.

Check MSI Cyborg 15 SSD Upgrade Compatibility

Both MSI Cyborg 15 A12V and A13VE models use a single M.2(2280) NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD slot, with maximum capacity - up to 2TB or more, but some boards may be equipped witha second SSD slotthat aren’t populated by default, typically requiring professional service or modification to activate.

Thus, you need to prepare an M.2(2280) NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD for optimal performance and compatibility while performing MSI Cyborg SSD upgrade, and the process generally involves replacing the factory SSD with a larger NVMe of the same form factor.

Recommended SSD for MSI Cyborg 15 and Necessary Tools

It's necessary to get the best SSDs for MSI Cyborg 15 and the necessary tools for the MSI Cyborg 15 SSD upgrade. 

Recommended SSD for MSI Cyborg 15

Both A12 and A13 series require a high-quality M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD. Well-known brands are recommended as they offer excellent speed, durability, and thermal stability for gaming and heavy workloads.

SSD Model	Seq. Read / Write	Approx. Price	👍 Best For
1 TB	2 TB
Samsung 990 PRO	~7,450 / ~6,900 MB/s	~$160–$180	~$280–$300	Toptier performance; forgaming, creative workflows, futureproofing
WD Black SN850X	~7,300 / ~6,600 MB/s	~$155–$170	~$200–$220	Gamingoptimized; fast loads and strong sustained speeds
Samsung 980 PRO	~7,000 / ~5,000 MB/s	~$90–$140	~$160–$180	Strong all-around Gen4; with excellent balance of performance and price
Crucial T500	~7,400 / ~7,000 MB/s	~$155–$170	~$280–$300	Great all-around value; Strong speeds with good endurance
Crucial P310	~7,100 / ~6,000 MB/s	~$105–$150	~$200–$260	Excellent value pick; fast everyday storage
WD Black SN7100	~7,250 / ~6,900 MB/s	~$120	~$210–$270	Balanced and efficient; good gaming + general use

Tools and Accessories Checklist

Prepare a small Phillips screwdriver, a plastic pry tool for opening the bottom panel safely, an anti-static wrist strap (optional but recommended), and an NVMe M.2 enclosure to connect the new M.2 NVMe SSD.

In addition, the best SSD cloning software - AOMEI Cloner is indispensable, with 3 cloning solutions alongside a comprehensive suite of features, making the process faster andless error-prone.

How to Upgrade SSD in MSI Cyborg 15 Safely

Before upgrading MSI Cyborg 15 AV12/AV13 SSD, it’s necessary to clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD to copy everything, including the operating system, installed programs, personal data, etc. Subsequently, you can physical swap the two SSDs and perform a first check to complete the process.

Clone M.2 SSD to Larger M.2 SSD for Upgrade

⚠️Warning: Be sure to backup all files to external hard drive, as the cloning process will overwrite data on the destination drive, causing data loss.

Step 1. Connect the M.2 SSD to your computer using an M.2 adapter or enclosure. Then, open AOMEI Cloner after installing, click Clone > Disk Clone.

Step 2. Select the current M.2 SSD and new, larger M.2 SSD, respectively. Click Next after each selection.

Step 3. Be sure to check SSD Alignment to accelerate the reading and writing speed of NVMe SSD, and click Start Clone to clone M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD.

⚠️Notes:
✅ Edit Partitions: The Add unused space to all partitions is automatically checked to resize new, larger M.2 SSD, preventing cloned hard drive show wrong size. Optionally, convert MBR to GPT to boot a UEFI system.
❌ Sector by Sector Clone: It clones all sectors of a drive, including empty and bad sectors, thus taking longer. Just uncheck it to keep using Intelligent Clone mode - copy only the used sectors, especially useful for cloning to smaller SSD.

Physically Swap Two M.2 SSDs on MSI Cyborg 15

Step 1. Power off the laptop and disconnect the charger. Then, hold the power button for 3-5 seconds to discharge residual power. Place the laptop on a clean, static-free surface.

Step 2. Remove all screws from the back panel and gently pry open the case using a plastic tool. Be sure to keep screws organized for reassembly.

Step 3. Locate the M.2 SSD slot, typically near the RAM or battery compartment., and remove the screws securing SSD drive. The slot is a small connector with a single mounting screw. 

Step 4. Align the notch of the new M.2 SSD with the slot carefully. Insert it at a slight angle (usually ~30°), then gently press downand secure it with the original screw. Be sure the mounting holes align with the screw holes.

Step 5. Reinstall the back panel and tighten all screws securely. Reconnect the charger and power on the laptop.

Perform a First Boot Check

Step 1. Power on the laptop and repeatedly press the F2 or Esc key to access the BIOS/UEFI settings window.

Step 2. Navigate to the Boot tab, looking for Boot Order, Boot Priority, Boot Option Priorities, usually with a list of drives. Set the new SSD drive as the first option. Meanwhile, be sure the Boot Mode is set to UEFI and AHCI mode/Secure Boot is enabled.

Step 3. Press F10 to save changes and restart. The laptop will reboot to the Windows desktop using the new SSD.

After accessing the Windows desktop, it’s necessary to install the latest chipset and storage drivers from MSI to make sure your computer runs smoothly.

Final Thoughts

MSI Cyborg 15 SSD upgrade can significantly boost computer performance and offer users more storage space, enabling them to install more apps and store large amounts of data. While cloning is the best method to copy everything and make sure the cloned SSD is bootable unless your drive is severely damaged.

AOMEI Cloner is a reliable cloning software that supports cloning M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD, cloning PCIe SSD, clone OS only, etc, with a suite of cloning features, making the process simple and effective.