GPT or MBR: Which is Better for Your Linux Device

When you are configuring your SSD in a Linux system, one of the most important deciding factors is selecting the correct partition style. The question boils down to GPT or MBR? Which partition style to choose? This choice is very important because this affects the compatibility, performance, and system stability of your device.

In this guide, let us help you make the MBR or GPT decision, advantages of the style, limitations, and the best use cases for each type.

Understanding Each Partition Style

Let us start with the basics.

What is MBR

MBR is short for Master Boot Record. This was introduced in 1983. This stores the partition information and the bootloader data in the first sector of the storage device.

The key features of MBR include:

• Supports 3 primary and 1 extended partition (total 4 primary partitions).
• Works only on SSDs up to 2TB in size.
• Uses the legacy BIOS based bootloader function.
• Less resistance against data corruption because the partition information is stored in a single sector.

What is GPT

GPT stands for GUID Partition Table. It is a comparatively modern partitioning format that is part of the UEFI (unified extensible firmware interface) bootloader standard.

Here are some features that set GPT apart:

• This supports 128 partitions in Windows and even more in Linux devices
• This partition type can work on SSDs with more than 2TB capacity
• Uses the UEFI based boot mode but can work with BIOS using the hybrid MBR
• Stores multiple copies of the partition data across the SSD for better resistance against data corruption
• Comes with secure boot and better error detection in most cases.

Major Differences: GPT or MBR

What Should You Choose: GPT or MBR for Linux

Prefer the MBR style if:

• Your device is running on old Linux distros that do not support UEFI yet
• Your SSD capacity is less than 2TB
• You need legacy BIOS boot support
• Your system does not require more than 4 primary partitions.

Prefer the GPT style if:

• You are using modern Linux distros like Ubuntu, Debian, Kali Linux, Amazon Linux, or SUSE.
• Your SSD capacity is higher than 2TB.
• You want better protection against data corruption, data integrity, and redundancy.
• You need support for more than 4 partitions.
• Your distribution uses UEFI boot mode.

Step by Step Instructions to Convert MBR to GPT in Linux

It is very important to follow these steps in sequence.

How to Check the Partition Type in Linux

1. Open the Terminal window.
2. Run the command: sudo fdisk -l
3. Find your SSD and check if it uses MBR (mentioned as dos) or GPT (mentioned as gpt).

How to Convert MBR to GPT in Linux

Let us show you two methods to convert MBR to GPT in your Linux device.

Convert MBR to GPT Using gdisk

Install gdisk if you do not have it already. To do that, execute the command:

sudo apt install gdisk # For Debian and Ubuntu distros
sudo dnf install gdisk # For Fedora
sudo pacman -S gdisk # For Arch Linux

Next run the command after replacing “SSD” with your Drive identifier.

sudo gdisk /dev/sdSSD

Next enter “w” to write the changes and convert the disk to GPT.

How to Convert MBR to GPT Using Parted

Open the Terminal window and run the command:

sudo parted /dev/sdX

Inside the parted function, execute the command:

mklabel gpt

Execute “quit” to exit and apply the changes.

There will be multiple online tools and guides that will tell you that they are tools to convert MBR to GPT. Proceed at your own risk. If we find any other reliable alternative to convert MBR to GPT, we will update this article with the same. The safest approach is to back up data, format the disk, and then restore the files.

Key Takeaways

Now let’s come back to the original confusion: MBR or GPT. GPT is the preferred choice nowadays due to is support for large drives, better data redundancy, and compatibility with UEFI based bootloaders. MBR is still useful if you are using legacy BIOS bootloaders and older Linux distributions.

We hope we solved your MBR or GPT confusion and helped you take an informed decision. We have listed almost all GPT vs MBR differences in Linux. You can visit this discussion thread if your system runs on Ubuntu. We wish you all the best in ensuring optimal SSD performance and compatibility.

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