MBR vs. GPT: Which one is better for your SSD?

This post discusses what is the difference between MBR vs GPT and which one is better for your SSD in Windows 11/10.

If you install a new copy of the OS on a hard drive, Windows may ask you what type of drive partitioning you prefer. The options generally include GUID Partition Tables (GPT) and the Master Boot Record (MBR). It is likely most users don’t know what each of these options does, and since you’re reading this, we assume you’re unaware as well. Modern computers are quite likely to have a modern SSD for the system drive, so what’s the best option for such a drive? Check them out in detail.

What is MBR

The MBR is a traditional method to keep track of hard drive partitions. This format was first made available with PC DOS 2.0 and the IBM PC XT in the early 1980s. It is important to have at least one partition on a drive, otherwise, you will not be able to save anything. While you might only have one hard drive, you can divide it up into partitions and assign each one a different drive letter.

What is GPT

GPT is the official successor to MBR. This format was introduced together with UEFI, a replacement for legacy BIOS. The GPT doesn’t have the same limitations as the MBR. It is possible here to create up to 128 partitions on a single GPT drive without using the logical partition workaround.

MBR vs GPT

MBR allows you to create a maximum of four primary partitions, however logical partitions are a way to circumvent this limitation. In this manner, you can create three partitions as well as an extended partition. You can then create logical partitions inside of this extended partition. The partition table has since become a standard solution for managing multiple bootable partitions.

It is very important to understand that you cannot use logical partitions as boot volumes, which are types of partitions that hold the Windows operating system. To get a better understanding, let’s use an example. On one partition, you would have Windows 7 and on the other, Windows 10. In most cases, you won’t run into this problem as long as you load more than one operating system from the same hard drive.

There are several differences between these two types of partition tables, but the most significant difference is that MBR is generally older and is not as efficient as GPT. While both partition tables differ in certain ways, one thing you must understand is that GPT is a newer standard and it tends to be more efficient than MBR. However, it does not mean that MBR is under threat of extinction. There are still a lot of computers that use a traditional non-UEFI BIOS and new computers are completely compatible with MBR partitions.

Can I convert from MBR to GPT?

You can convert from MBR to GPT, but you will usually have to delete the data on your disk. A similar method exists for performing an in-place conversion, but it requires you to back up everything, so it makes no sense. If you cannot use the existing disk because of MBR, then switching it to GPT could be worth your while. However, if you don’t have any particular reasons, you shouldn’t do it. If you are really interested in changing the drive format, wait until you format your drive again.

MBR vs GPT: How does it affect SSDs?

An SSD does not affect a user’s decision to use MBR or GPT. Therefore, if you are using a computer-based on UEFI, it is better to use the GPT standard. And MBR is the only way to boot from an SSD when you’re using a BIOS-based computer. SSDs are generally much smaller in size, so the MBR capacity limit of 2TB rarely makes a difference. What matters is that GPT provides a fast, reliable, and robust boot experience.