Partition Style - MBR or GPT

[PC_User]

I just got a 2TB Caviar drive and W7 is asking which partition format I would like - GPT or MBR. I will only use this as a storage/data drive (no OS).

I know that GPT is for drives >2TB but wanted to check if there are any other advantages to using GPT?

Which should I go with? Thanks.

 

[omniscence]

MBR is only needed if plan to boot from the drive on a GPT-incapable system, which are nearly all BIOS systems. GPT contains something called "protective MBR" which tells software that is not GPT-aware that the drive is fully partitioned, i.e. no free space.

Other than the boot issue there are no disadvantages to GPT, there are no lower limitations to drive size. It is safe and future-proof to go with GPT.