My 2019 Razer Blade 15 has been an awesome gaming laptop over the years—Intel i7 6-Core processor, GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q graphics card, and that wicked Chroma backlit keyboard. However, I have been dealing with storage problems during the last few months. My original 2TB SSD crashed a while back, so I’ve been making do with a 500GB drive I had lying around. It actually served me well for about 3 years, but I finally came to the realization that I really needed more space. I was even using an old internal 250 GB SATA SSD drive with a USB adaptor cable for extra space. But that too was becoming burdensome since I had to carry it around when I travelled.
Between constantly managing disk space and the hassle of carrying an external drive everywhere, I knew it was time for an upgrade. Finding the 2TB Samsung 990 Pro on sale at Amazon created my opportunity to merge all my data into one high-speed drive while providing my laptop with the storage boost it needed.
However, the real challenge would be to get my data moved over without having to reinstall any programs or losing data. Fortunately this turned out to be straightforward thanks to the Sabrent USB C tool-free enclosure and Macrium Reflect disk cloning tool.
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
Why Upgrade the Storage on the 2019 Razer Blade 15
Back in 2019 when I bought Razer Blade 15 it came with a 2 terabyte SSD but it failed a few years ago and I lost everything. At that time due to budget constraints I only had a 500 GB NVMe drive available. And that filled up quickly so I was also using a 250 GB internal SATA drive with a USB adapter cable -not an ideal situation.
Moving everything to a single, high-capacity internal SSD would make life simpler and hopefully provide a nice performance boost too. And no more hunting for files across different drives or dealing with missing cables. Plus, not having to carry the other drive around would make things more considerably easier when travelling.
Samsung 990 Pro Specs
The Samsung 990 Pro is an NVMe M.2 SSD beast providing high performance for users who require maximum performance such as gamers and content creators. It hits read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, which is overkill for some, but who’s complaining?
The drive features Samsung V-NAND technology with a solid controller which provides both durability and dependable operation. It maintains low power usage which benefits people using the go and preserving batter life. It is purpose built for performance all around.
PCIe3 Integration with Razer Blade 15
My 2019 Razer Blade 15 only supports PCIe 3.0 which limits data transfer speed to 3,500 MB/s while the 990 Pro supports PCIe 4.0 speeds. Fortunately the PCIe interface is backward compatible which allows me to use the 990 Pro just at lower transfer speeds. When I upgrade to a new laptop with PCIe 4, the 990 Pro will reach its maximum potential.
Benefits of NVMe M.2 SSD
NVMe enables your computer to achieve both high speed and efficiency. NVMe M.2 SSDs offer high-performance storage with such fast speeds that they make all other storage solutions seem slow by comparison.
Lightning-Fast Speeds
NVMe achieves speeds of over 7,000 MB/s through PCIe lanes (such as PCIe 4.0) when used on systems that support it. The new technology surpasses traditional SATA SSDs because it achieves speeds of 500-600 MB/s. The result? Your laptop starts up immediately while games launch instantly and file transfers happen at speeds that seem like pure enchantment.
Power Efficiency
These drives consume minimal power which enables your laptop battery to last longer while maintaining its performance level.
NVMe functions at a separate operational level than traditional standards because it eliminates the requirement for HDD communication to directly access flash memory. The system provides fast operation speeds which enable users to perform multiple tasks simultaneously while reducing waiting periods for all activities from basic web browsing to demanding tasks like 4K video editing.
NVMe vs. SATA: Why Upgrade?
NVMe technology provides a total storage experience makeover when users switch from SATA SSDs or HDDs. SATA operates as a dependable sedan which provides adequate performance by using outdated technology. NVMe provides users with the ability to access data at faster speeds and operate with improved performance.
The M.2 Form Factor
M.2 SSDs have a small size equivalent to a stick of gum which allows them to directly connect to motherboard slots without any need for cables or brackets. The case design provides internal system organization while improving airflow for cooling systems and making it easier to perform future system upgrades.
The NVMe M.2 SSD technology enhances your device performance through speed improvements and efficiency gains and extended product lifespan. These devices provide users with a new computer experience at an affordable price point which makes them suitable for gamers and creators and everyday users.
Macrium Reflect Disk Cloning
Macrium Reflect is my go-to for cloning drives. I have used it several times over the years. It will clone your entire Windows operating system OS drive together with all installed applications and stored files so you can avoid reinstalling everything. The software does direct disk-to-disk cloning and checks the copy for errors. The service allows users to experience all its features through a 30-day free trial.
Highlights:
- Straightforward cloning without data loss
- Verification to make sure the clone is good
- Reliable and professional results
- 30 days free to test it out
Duplicating the Primary System Drive
When you open Macrium Reflect, you’ll see all the drives on your computer. Usually, your main internal drive is Disk 1, and any external drives show up as Disk 2 or higher.
To clone your internal drive:
- Pick your internal system drive
- Hit “Clone this disk”
- Choose your new SSD as the target
- Wipe any partitions on the new drive
- Skip scheduling if you want to do it now
- Double-check the summary
- Confirm—you’ll erase everything on the new SSD
Once you confirm, Macrium Reflect gets to work. If anything goes wrong, it’ll let you know.
Installing the Samsung 990 Pro SSD
Opening the Laptop Case and Removing the Current Drive
Be careful with screw sizes—using the wrong bit can strip them and make things a pain.
To open it up:
- Remove all the back panel screws
- Use a plastic pry tool to gently lift the case
- Don’t force anything—take your time
Inside, a single screw holds the SSD. Take it out, then slide the old drive out of its slot.
Mounting the Samsung 990 Pro
Handle the new SSD gently. Line it up carefully before pushing it in.
Slide the 990 Pro into the same slot, making sure the pins are seated right.
Checklist:
- Line up the drive with the connector
- Insert at the right angle
- Press gently until it clicks in
- Secure it with the original screw
That screw keeps the SSD firmly in place, so it won’t wiggle loose.
Closing the Laptop and Final Assembly
Put the back cover on by reversing the steps you took to open it. Double-check everything inside before sealing it up.
Replace all the screws and tighten them just enough—don’t overdo it, or you might strip the threads.
Once that’s done, you’re set to power up and test. The Samsung 990 Pro is now your main drive, ready to go.
Cloning an External Drive
After rebooting with your new drive installed, Macrium Reflect will show the updated drive list. Your new internal SSD is Disk 1.
To clone the external drive:
Steps:
- Select the external USB drive
- Click “Clone this disk”
- Pick the internal SSD as the destination
- Drag the data partition over
- Confirm through the prompts
- Let it finish
Once adds your external drive’s data as a new partition on the SSD. The rest of the process is about the same as before.
Expanding Storage and Managing Partitions in Windows
After cloning drives and getting the Samsung 990 Pro SSD installed, you’ll need to manage partitions to make use of all that extra space. Luckily, Windows has built-in tools for the job—no need to hunt down sketchy third-party apps.
Expanding the D Partition
Once the new SSD is in, the last step is to expand the D partition so it actually uses the new storage.Windows’ disk management tools make this pretty painless.
To get started, open Computer Management from the Control Panel. You can access Disk Management to view all your storage drives and their current partition configuration.
How to expand a partition:
- Right-click the D drive in Disk Management
- Click “Extend Volume”
- Let the prompts walk you through the rest
Windows will guide you through the steps.Users choose to leave their hard drive unallocated because they plan to modify their partition arrangement or storage configuration at a future time.
Allocating Unused Storage Space
As soon as you expand the D partition, Windows Explorer should show the new storage right away.Your additional terabytes of storage become available for any data you want to store.
The disk management utility lets you decide how much space goes where.You have the option to fill D to its highest point or keep some empty space for future adjustments according to your needs.
Things to think about:
- Use it all now: Give all the space to D for instant gratification
- Save some for later: Leave a bit unallocated for future tweaks
- Move space around: Maybe you’ll want to shuffle storage between C and D later
In Summary
The storage upgrade of my 2019 Razer Blade 15 proved to be the most beneficial choice I have ever made for this computer. My 500GB drive faced its first challenge against my external USB drive but I transformed it into a high-performance system which now enhances my laptop operations. The Samsung 990 Pro achieved two main goals by uniting all my data under one fast 2TB storage system and demonstrated that basic hardware improvements result in major performance enhancements for everyday computer tasks. My Blade 15 has aged a bit since its release but its quick startup times and fast game access and complete storage freedom make it feel like a brand-new computer. The solution demands that you free up the dormant capabilities which already exist rather than implementing complete replacement.
