NTFS vs FAT32

[Nvidiaguy07]

ok so im on the verge of trying out OS X on my PC but first i think i want to make my storage disk FAT32 so it will be more compatible with OS X and even linux (even though ubuntu handles it fine)

What differences or limitations does FAT32 have as opposed to NTFS?

Also i have many .iso files that are around 6GB and i heard that in FAT32 you can only have files up to a certain size. will this affect me?

 

[masteryoda34]

Max file size in FAT32 is 2GB IIRC.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

sooooo bad idea to go to FAT32?

 

[F1shF4t]

Originally posted by: masteryoda34
Max file size in FAT32 is 2GB IIRC.

Actually its 4 gig. FAT32 also gets fragmented easily. There is also a lot of space wastage on very large volumes when small files are used due to large cluster sizes.

 

[Blain]

"Operating Systems" Forum

 

[Absolution75]

While you might not be interested, you can get ext3 drivers for windows. I've never done it, but apparently it works! I don't know about mac's, but ext2/3 is use fairly often in linux environments.

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.ntfs.com/ntfs_vs_fat.htm

The major difference of interest is under, Overall Performance at the end of the table.

EXT3 = Exotic as far as functional Windows use.

I.e. a social gimmick rather than sound technological use.:shocked:

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: Absolution75
While you might not be interested, you can get ext3 drivers for windows. I've never done it, but apparently it works! I don't know about mac's, but ext2/3 is use fairly often in linux environments.

I've had terrible luck with the ext3 windows drivers, lots of BSOD's so I would say YMMV with it 🙂