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DisplayPort or HDMI? Which port to use for your gaming monitor

DisplayPort or HDMI? Which port to use for your gaming monitor

You set up a new monitor and the back has two ports: HDMI and DisplayPort. Which one should you plug into your PC? And does the cable itself matter? In this quick comparison we explain the difference using official figures and give you a simple rule to follow.

The comparison in short

  • HDMI 2.1: according to HDMI.org, the Ultra High Speed HDMI cable is designed for systems up to 48Gbps and supports modes such as 4K up to 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz.
  • DisplayPort 2.1: according to VESA, certified DP40 cables reach up to 40Gbps and DP80 cables up to 80Gbps (UHBR20), the highest tier in the DisplayPort 2.1 spec.
The key point: a higher number only helps if the graphics card, the monitor and the cable all support it. The weakest link in the chain decides the result.

What do UHBR10 and UHBR20 mean?

UHBR stands for Ultra-high Bit Rate, the speed tiers in DisplayPort 2.1. According to VESA, a DP40 cable supports UHBR10, meaning 10Gbps per lane, so four lanes add up to 40Gbps. A DP80 cable supports UHBR20, meaning 20Gbps per lane, reaching 80Gbps over four lanes. So when you see DP80 on a cable box, it is certified for the highest tier in the spec.

One more useful point: the USB-C port on some monitors and laptops can carry a DisplayPort signal through a feature called DisplayPort Alt Mode, so you can connect a laptop with one cable instead of a separate video cable.

Why does the cable matter?

A cable is not just a wire. According to HDMI.org, certified Ultra High Speed cables must carry a certification label on the package so you can verify them. DisplayPort works the same way: VESA certifies DP40 and DP80 cables to guarantee top performance with DisplayPort 2.1 devices. In January 2025 VESA also announced active DP80LL cables that carry UHBR20 over lengths up to 3 meters.

So if your fast monitor runs at a lower refresh rate than expected, an old cable is one of the first things to check.

When should I use DisplayPort?

  • When connecting a gaming PC to a high refresh rate monitor, because some monitors only reach their top refresh rate over DisplayPort, and this is stated in the monitor's specs.
  • When your graphics card and monitor support a newer DisplayPort version than their HDMI ports.

When should I use HDMI?

  • For PlayStation and Xbox, since they connect to the display over HDMI.
  • When the monitor has HDMI 2.1 and your graphics card supports it, so you can use the higher bandwidth.

Who should care?

Anyone setting up a new desk, especially with a 4K or high refresh rate monitor, or anyone running a PC and a console on the same screen.

GamerZone pick

  • ASUS ROG STRIX XG27UCS monitor: 27 inches, 4K at 160Hz, with HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, so it works with a PC, a console and a laptop. Check the current price on the product page.

Quick tips

  1. Read the monitor specs: which port gives you the highest refresh rate at full resolution?
  2. Use the cable that came with the monitor or a certified cable of the same tier or higher.
  3. Plug the cable into the graphics card, not the motherboard.
  4. After connecting, confirm the refresh rate in Windows display settings.

Conclusion

There is no port that is "always better". For a PC, DisplayPort is usually an excellent choice; for a console, HDMI; and most importantly the trio of card, monitor and cable should support the same tier. Need help choosing a monitor or a build? Message us on WhatsApp at 0564121558 or visit our Olaya or Aqiq branch in Riyadh. Installments are available with Tamara and Tabby.

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