Can you mix and match HDMI and DisplayPort monitors?

Yes, as long as your motherboard or graphics card has High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and DisplayPort (DP) connections, you can mix and match monitor types. This is true regardless of your operating system; Windows, macOS, and Linux all support combined display types. HDMI and DisplayPort are simply two different technologies for transmitting audio and video signals between your GPU and your monitor, and using one does not prevent your computer from using the other. DisplayPort is typically associated with high-end displays, while HDMI is a great affordable option that’s still capable of offering solid visual fidelity and fairly high refresh rate support.

Even if you only have one type of port or another, you can still get an HDMI to DP adapter or vice versa – although this method has some technical drawbacks which we’ll cover in more detail later. It’s also important to note that while most modern options do, not all computers support multi-monitor setups; Before you go out and buy more monitors, check your device’s manual for support for multiple displays.

It’s not uncommon to see PC setups with both types of monitors; Most modern graphics cards provide multiple ports, often including both HDMI and DisplayPort, specifically so you can connect multiple displays. Each connection carries its own video signal, and setting them up is a breeze if you have the appropriate ports.

First, determine whether you’re connecting your displays to your motherboard or graphics card. If you have an integrated graphics card, which is common in entry-level gaming laptops and desktops, you’ll connect your displays to the motherboard. In this case, look on the sides and back of your laptop for HDMI and DP ports. If you’re using a tower computer with integrated graphics, check the back and top of the case to see which ports you need.

For those using an external graphics card – like an AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT (which, by the way, is more powerful than the Steam Machine’s GPU) – you’ll connect your monitors directly to the graphics card’s ports. Double-check that your monitors are not connected to your motherboard if you are using an external graphics card, as then you are not using the most expensive component in your setup. Once the ports are identified (HDMI has two angled sides, DP has one flat side and one angled side), simply plug the HDMI and DP monitors into adjacent slots on your motherboard or graphics card.

Once the two monitors are connected, your operating system should recognize each of them as independent displays and allow you to change various settings (on Windows, you’ll find this under System > Display). If your computer does not recognize both displays, try connecting one at a time to verify that each works independently. If so, check that your system supports multiple displays at once and that you connect both monitors to the same location (motherboard or graphics card).

With a mixed monitor setup, you have a greater degree of versatility. If you’re a gamer, graphic designer, video editor, or similar technology enthusiast, you can strategically build around it by spending a little more for a quality primary monitor (DisplayPort) and then choosing an affordable HDMI display as a secondary display for casual activities like communications apps, music, etc. Plus, it can free up limited video ports you might need for other devices (if your graphics card has two HDMI slots and two DisplayPort slots, using one of each keeps both options open).

As for the downsides, HDMI and DP have different levels of support for aspects like data bandwidth, refresh rates, and HDR capabilities. This means that if you have two monitors with a refresh rate of 144 Hz each, one of them may be hampered by an HDMI port that only supports 60 Hz. The same goes for adapters; if you have to use an adapter to make the setup work, it can significantly harm the performance of the screen. It can also quickly turn into a real headache troubleshooting between different cables, ports, monitors and adapters.

But the downsides shouldn’t necessarily deter you. A mix-and-match monitor setup makes a lot of sense from an economic and strategic perspective, and once you learn the essential tips and tricks for both monitors, you’ll be a regular power user. Plus, it’s good to know that this option exists if it becomes a necessity.