I used a wide range of PC monitors over the years, from early monochrome CRTs to high-speed 480Hz OLEDs, using a diverse range of connectors during this time. However, since switching to digital from VGA and DVI, I use a single standard display cable exclusively for my desktops and laptops. It’s DisplayPort, whether on a full-size GPU port or in DisplayPort Alt mode over USB-C.
Why don’t you buy a sports car and put slow tires on it, right? That’s what it feels like for me to plug one of the best gaming monitors into any other cable, because DisplayPort gives you the best bandwidth, best connector type, and best extensive feature set for PC use. I still use HDMI for my TV, as DisplayPort is noticeably absent in the A/V space. However, that’s because I use the best tools for each task and DisplayPort is the best for PC.
DisplayPort or HDMI: Which Should I Use?
Not sure if you should go with DisplayPort or HDMI? Here’s everything you need to know about the two display interfaces
So why do I drool over DisplayPort and despise HDMI?
They do similar things, but one of them is objectively better for PC use.
I’ve been a DisplayPort user since my first custom gaming PC, but I almost wasn’t. You see, that yellow Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 up there was mine, painstakingly customized to fit a black and yellow build theme. To combine it, only the best 144 Hz TN panel of the time would do, the Asus VG248QE.
However, I initially selected a larger Samsung monitor that only supported HDMI and had poor picture quality. Now the HDMI connection wasn’t the cause of the bad picture, it was just a terrible panel. However, HDMI would be a problem when the Asus monitor arrived, because to use all of those 144 Hz you needed DisplayPort or Dual-link DVI. DVI was on its way out, so I went with DisplayPort because when your monitor costs as much as your GPU, you use the best connector available.
And it was worth every penny. Smooth images, crisp visuals, and since my brain hadn’t yet been irrevocably warped by 4K or ultrawide screens, I was king of my couch. At the time, FreeSync and G-Sync were both relatively new and both required DisplayPort to work, as only later did monitors support them over HDMI. Again, as an avid gamer you go for the best you can get, and DisplayPort was it whether I had an Nvidia or AMD GPU.
HDMI 2.2 is finally here with refresh rates and bandwidth speeds better than ever
The most popular audiovisual interface just got better.
Why would you limit your display?
DisplayPort often allows for higher refresh rates and other features
Since the release of DisplayPort, it has surpassed HDMI for PC use. Whether it’s better resolution support, higher bandwidth for 10-bit color and high refresh rates, variable frame rates, or other features, DisplayPort has long been my favorite since we moved to all-digital display chains. While HDMI 2.2 was just announced at CES, it will be a while before it is available on all devices, so we currently only have HDMI 2.1 and DP 2.1 to compare.
And the winner in almost every category is DisplayPort. Don’t get me wrong, HDMI is still a good option and has specific use cases that DisplayPort can’t compete with, but for PC use, DisplayPort is the best choice for almost everyone.
|
Functionality |
HDMI 2.1 |
DisplayPort 2.1 |
|---|---|---|
|
Maximum resolution |
4K at 120 Hz, 8K at 60 Hz |
16K @ 60 Hz, 8K @ 120 Hz, 4K @ 240 Hz |
|
Maximum bandwidth |
48 Gbps |
77.37 Gbps (at UHBR20) |
|
HDR support |
Yes, dynamic |
Yes, static |
|
Audio support |
eARC |
Yes, up to 8 channels of 24-bit/192kHz |
|
Number of displays (per port) |
1 |
up to 4 |
|
Adaptive synchronization |
FreeSync and G-Sync (both monitor dependent) |
FreeSync, VRR, G-Sync |
|
Popular uses |
Game consoles, A/V receivers |
Gaming PC, Thunderbolt4/USB4 mobile devices |
DisplayPort is also more versatile for laptop users, although there is an HDMI port on many laptops for conference room projectors. DisplayPort Alternate Mode transmits DP signals through USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 connectors, now commonly found on laptops and many desktop motherboards. This is now equivalent to large DisplayPort connectors, with a maximum bandwidth of 80 Gbps, allowing up to 16K video output. Not practical, of course, but HDMI doesn’t work over USB-C and always requires the larger connector. And HDMI can’t charge your laptop while connected, unlike USB-C.
Let’s leave the HDMI where it belongs, in the living room
Honestly, as a PC user, all you need to know about HDMI is that it’s best used on your TV, where it makes more sense. Things like eARC were designed specifically for home theater use and are barely supported on PC, if at all. There’s a good reason why graphics card manufacturers typically put three DisplayPort ports and one HDMI port on their GPUs, except for a few that use two HDMI ports for VR users, or an occasional USB-C port. It simply makes more sense on PC to use DisplayPort, with its locking cables, better bandwidth, and PC-centric feature set.
AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT is the most exciting GPU to launch in years
It’s here. It’s great. Go buy one.
I won’t use anything other than DisplayPort for my PC
DisplayPort has been an integral part of my PCs since I started building them again about ten years ago, and it will be what I use for the next decade, and the one after that (unless something like GPMI replaces it). The DisplayPort consortium has a page dedicated to certified cables and devices, which I go to whenever I need new cables. I’ve found that non-certified products are hit or miss in terms of compatibility, but I’ve also had similar issues with HDMI. With handhelds, mobile phones, and gaming laptops all adopting DisplayPort Alt mode, I’m now looking for USB-C connectivity on new monitors.