to ntfs or to fat32, that is the question

[kd2777]

I'm getting ready to fdisk both my computers and start from scratch, then I noticed one of them is in fat32 file systems and the other is in ntfs. What is the difference in the two? Which one is better and why? Just wondering, thanks.

 

[AndyHui]

Please read the FAQ: FAT32 vs NTFS.

I suggest you look around the rest of the FAQs as well. Some members here don't take people asking that particular question you just posed very well, and tend to get bad tempered.

 

[TheCollective]

I would go with NTFS. Very reliable and secure. [anti flame material]But do read the FAQ.[/anti flame material] 😀

 

[bacillus]

I'm known to suffer with temper tantrums! :Q

 

[kd2777]

Thanks andy for the FAQ thread it answered all my questions. My friend refered me to this site, he said you guys could answer anything. I guess I haven't learned what questions p-off people yet, I will add this one to my list.

 

[AndyHui]

kd2777: Don't worry about it It's just that the FAT32 vs NTFS gets asked too often here.

 

[AnMig]

I still use FAT 32 since I still dual boot with 98.

One thing not mentioned in the FAQ (at least I did not see it) is that in fat 32 you cannot create files bigger than 4 gb. This becomes significant if you try to capture large files for encoding. Example converting VHS video to avi (converting home movies or old vhs tapes to avi then encoding to svcd or mpeg1)

I am not sure if NTFS has this file size limitation?