Legacy BIOS vs UEFI – what are the differences between these two boot modes, and which one is better?
In this blog article, we’ll be showcasing what Legacy BIOS and UEFI are, highlighting their differences, and whether or not one really is better than the other.
What is Legacy BIOS?
Your PC’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is an integrated software on your motherboard which is responsible for booting up your system. Whenever you power on your computer the BIOS provides vital instructions to your hardware and checks whether all your hardware is functioning correctly.
The Legacy BIOS is an older version of the software which isn’t widely available on most modern-day hardware or compatible with the latest operating systems.
What is UEFI?
UEFI, or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, is the latest version of Legacy BIOS. Similar to the Legacy BIOS, it’s the very first thing that runs on your PC and ensures your components are operating correctly before your PC boots up.
As UEFI is the newer, updated version of BIOS, it is typically compatible with modern operating systems and latest-gen hardware.
What are the Differences between Legacy BIOS and UEFI?
Both Legacy BIOS and UEFI are practically identical and perform the same functions in your PC. However, what does set them apart are the notable improvements that UEFI boasts to hardware, compatibility, and even performance. This includes:
- Support for storage drives with a capacity larger than 2TB
- Better support for the latest gen of hardware
- Compatible with a large range of operating systems
- Improved interface for graphics cards
- Better performance
- More secure
Legacy BIOS vs UEFI – Is One Better Than the Other?
Whilst UEFI might sound like the clear winner, there is a time when Legacy BIOS is needed.
If you are using an old operating system or old hardware, then UEFI isn’t compatible with your PC. Therefore, you’ll need to use Legacy BIOS. Fortunately, UEFI comes with an option to boot your PC with Legacy BIOS for this very purpose.
Your PC may unexpectedly reset to the wrong factory default settings for its Boot mode, especially if your CMOS battery is faulty or removed. If you are having any issues loading your OS, we recommend you check if your BIOS has switched to a different mode. If this fails, you can try some simple troubleshooting with your CMOS battery.
Over on the Overclockers UK Academy, you can find a handy written and video guide showcasing how you can reset your BIOS by removing and reinstalling the CMOS battery.
Is it Time to Upgrade?
Want to harness the benefits of UEFI but your PC isn’t compatible? Well then, it’s time to upgrade!
At Overclockers UK, we’ve got a huge range of both pre-built and configurable PCs that have been designed to suit every type of gamer and budget. We’ve included our top selection below, but you can shop all our PC systems by clicking the button.
Refract Gaming Jade Pre-Built PC
- Pre built gaming PC
- Designed for mid-tier gaming and budding content creators
- AMD Ryzen 7 77700 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti GPU
- 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB M.2 SSD
- Integrated RGB lighting
- Includes a three-year warranty that covers parts and labour
- 3 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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