FAT32 vs NTFS

[Maniacal]

So I bought a Western Digital My Passport Essential 250gigabyte hard drive, it's small, sleek, black and sexy. It is in FAT32 and I've heard some mixed responses on that format, and I'm wondering if I should reformat it to NTFS? Which one is mroe stable? In the documentation they do mention possibly changing it yourself.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

If you're only planning to use NT-based Windows & want the ability to have files bigger than 4gigs, then use NTFS.

 

[GoodGame]

NTFS if you're using XP/VISTA. Already a lengthy older discussion in the forum.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

NTFS. The 3 major OS' out there can all read/write it, it allows for bigger files ( more than 4GB ) and like GoodGame said, there has already been discussion on it. Search the forums.

 

[Aramazd]

NTFS, but if you use OS X or Linux you'll need to download NTFS-3G

 

[Comraddict]

NTFS, but if you use OS X or Linux you'll need to download NTFS-3G

not anymore, most distros come today with it.

 

[Aramazd]

not anymore, most distros come today with it.

Really, I haven't looked at linux distros recently, that's good to know.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Here's the other thread on it -- http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=310870

Also, from what I understand, NTFS has smaller blocks than FAT. And if I remember correctly, if a file takes up 1 1/2 block, the other half-block is filled up (I think with "garbage data"). So with FAT, you're wasting a little more disk space, but probably not enough to make a fuss over. (This might be partially or fully wrong, I'm going from memory.)

 

[Zelig]

Also, from what I understand, NTFS has smaller blocks than FAT. And if I remember correctly, if a file takes up 1 1/2 block, the other half-block is filled up (I think with "garbage data"). So with FAT, you're wasting a little more disk space, but probably not enough to make a fuss over. (This might be partially or fully wrong, I'm going from memory.)

No, you can set the cluster size to basically whatever you want.

 

[Maniacal]

What is a recommended cluster size?

I'll reformat it to NTFS on Saturday.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

No, you can set the cluster size to basically whatever you want.

ah, thanks.

anyways, the effect would be more noticed on a 5 megabyte HDD (or a floppy disk) than a 500 gig HDD.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

What is a recommended cluster size?

Did some googling.

Here's the default size: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/140365

Some more articles:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=185547
http://www.infocellar.com/Hardware/harddrive-cluster-sizes.htm (scroll down a bit)
http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15167
http://forums.techarena.in/window-2000-help/964992.htm (this is for a boot drive)
http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/08/NTFS_Hacks.html ("performance hacks", also includes info on clusters)

Basically, if you want disk space, use small clusters. If you want fast performance, use larger ones. If you want a compromise, just leave it as is.