MBR VS GPT? Which Is Better To Use

Hello friends, this time we will give you some tips about MBR VS GPT? Which Is Better To Use. As we know Disk Partition is very important in a Computer System because it is used as a logically separate storage facility that functions as if the parts are physically separate. But often, when you first initialize a new disk, you will definitely be asked to select a partition type.

By default Master Boot Record (MBR) is the main choice, but you can also choose to use the newer standard, namely GUID Partition Table (GPT). However, many people are not aware of this issue so they are hesitant in making a choice between MBR and GPT. That's why Admin created this article to differentiate between GPT and MBR partitions, and which one is better MBR VS GPT. Here's the explanation.

What are MBR and GPT?

MBR, which stands for Master Boot Record, was originally introduced with the PC DOS 2.0 operating system in 1983. MBR is a special boot sector at the beginning of the disk, containing information about the OS boot loader and logical disk partition information. MBR is the older method but is still the default choice when mounting a new disk even in Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows 10.

GPT stands for GUID Partition Table. Compared to MBR, GPT is a relatively new partitioning scheme, gradually replacing MBR. GPT is another type that uses a GUID or globally unique identifier to define partitions and is a newer standard.

Difference between MBR and GPT

Having studied a lot of information about GPT VS MBR for SSD in layout, now let's make a comparison for them in detail. When comparing MBR disks and GPT disks, you can clearly get four distinct differences.

1. Partition Number

MBR: The Master Boot Record contains a 64-byte partition table consisting of four partition table entries, each using 16 bytes. Therefore, the MBR can accommodate four primary partitions. To create more partitions, the fourth partition can be turned into an extended partition to accommodate more logical drives. Microsoft supports up to 128 sub-partitions. In short, MBR disks support up to four primary partitions, or three primary partitions plus extended partitions with up to 128 logical drives.

GPT: The GPT disk partition table header determines the usable blocks on the disk, as well as the number and size of partition entries that make up the partition table. UEFI requires a minimum of 16,384 bytes reserved for the partition table. That is, the partition table contains 128 partition entries of 128 bytes each, meaning you can create up to 128 primary partitions on a GPT disk.

2. Disk Size

MBR limits the maximum addressable storage space to 2TB with 512 bytes of each sector. This means that even if the MBR disk has more than 2TB of storage space, you will find disk space beyond 2TB to be “unallocated” in Disk Management.

GPT allocates 64 bits for logical block addresses, allowing a maximum disk size of 264 sectors. With each sector being 512 bytes, that equates to 9.44 ZB (1 ZB is 1 billion terabytes) or 8 ZiB. In summary, GPT disks support up to 18EB incapacity.

3. Security

GPT contains a CRC32 checksum for itself and for the partition table. The firmware, bootloader, and operating system can use checksums to diagnose the partition table. Once an error is detected on the main GPT, it is allowed to restore the entire partition table from the backup GUID partition header. This is a great advantage of GPT over MBR.

MBR stores boot and partition data in one place at the beginning of the partition. If this data is lost or corrupted, then the whole OS is basically corrupted when the boot loader crashes. Once the partition table is corrupted, the MBR disk cannot be used. In this aspect, GPT has a higher level of security than MBR disks.

4. OS Support

In general, old BIOS only supports MBR, but UEFI supports MBR and GPT. When comparing MBR and GPT in OS support, note that all operating systems can be installed on MBR disks. However, on the other hand, not all Windows systems support GPT (GUID Partition Table).

OS Support On GPT:

  * Windows Vista 32-bit and XP 32-bit, and early operating systems including Windows 2000, Windows MS-DOS/NT, Windows 95/98 cannot support reading, writing, and booting from GPT disks. In Windows XP 64-bit, GPT disks can be used for data storage, not system installation.

  * All versions of Windows Vista/XP/7/8/8.1/10, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016 can use GPT disks to store data. But only 64-bit editions on UEFI-based systems can be used as system disks.

  * Linux and Mac OS X10.6+ support GPT disk for data storage and OS boot requires UEFI BIOS.

MBR VS GPT For SSD

If your PC has an SSD disk, the right choice for you to choose the type of partition is GPT. Because SSD is a new technology and for sure they will be more support for the newest partition type. And another reason to choose GPT partition for SSD is as follows.

  * GPT supports more than four primary partitions on SSD

  * GPT supports storage (more than 2TB compared to MBR)

  * GPT is more compatible with newer UEFI based systems

  * More security

However, GPT is not always the right choice. If the hardware, firmware, or software requirements cannot be met, you can only use MBR. The reason may be because, your motherboard does not support UEFI boot, or you are still using the old Windows OS, or you are installing 32bit Windows 7 to SSD.

Rules For Choosing Between MBR And GPT

Choose GPT if:

  * GPT is better if you plan to create more than 4 partitions.

  * GPT is better than MBR if your hard disk is bigger than 2TB.

  * GPT is better if you are looking for security.

  * Choose GPT over MBR for your system disk if UEFI boot is supported.

Choose MBR if:

  * Select MBR for the system disk if your motherboard does not support UEFI boot.

  * Select MBR as system disk if you have 32 bit Windows to install.

  * Select MBR for the system disk if you are still using a very old Windows OS.

How to Know the Partition Type

To find out the type of partition used, if you are using the Windows Operating System. Then you can follow these steps.

 1. Run Windows Run by pressing Windows Logo + R

 2. Then type "diskpart" without quotes

 3. Then the CMD display will appear, then type "list disk" without the quotes

 4. Then the partition information will appear as follows

If we look there is an inscription Gpt. If you are using a GPT partition, an asterisk will appear under Gpt. On the other hand, if you use an MBR partition, an asterisk will not appear under Gpt.

Summary

So which is better to use between MBR VS GPT is GPT. Because GPT is far superior to MBR. However, older OS such as Windows XP will not be able to operate with GPT disks.

They may only be able to see the protective MBR layer of the GPT disk. On the other hand, only 64-bit editions of newer OS such as Windows 7 and above or Windows Server 2003 and above support booting on UEFI-based systems, but 64-bit or 32-bit editions can use GPT partitions to store data.

Hopefully, this article about MBR VS GPT? Which Is Better To Use, gives you a little insight. Also, read an article about Microsoft Store on Windows 10 that you may need to know. Thank you.