• Mon. Feb 17th, 2025

HDMI vs. DisplayPort: Which Standard is Right for Your Hardware?

ByAbrielle

Jan 27, 2025
HDMI vs. DisplayPort

The dilemma exists regarding choosing HDMI or DisplayPort to connect your new monitor to your computer. Monitoring ports show varying capabilities and system suitability which requires basic understanding of the following information.

The ports installed on your PC monitor often get neglected during the product selection process. Two core display standards exist in the market with HDMI and DisplayPort acting as the main entities. Lets understand and compare HDMI vs. DisplayPort. Multiple display options exist while many models come with one of the respective ports or both ports integrated. But which should you use? “It depends” remains the response to every inquiry.

What are you looking to do? The difference between ports does not affect people who use their PCs casually. Advanced users including gamers along with photo editors need specific features from their monitors. Understand how each form of trade-off works when deciding between standards because the upgrade version will determine which resolutions or refresh rates the monitor accepts.

HDMI vs. DisplayPort demonstrate no first-glance differences upon direct comparison. The situation becomes clearer when we examine the details that favor or oppose one of these two digital interfaces. Your intended usage determines which interface you should select.

In the following section we highlight fundamental distinctions between standards while you decide which standard matches your personal circumstances best.

Introduction to HDMI

HDMI

HDMI stands out as the familiar standard you probably know well. Through HDMI transmission a single cable delivers high-definition video as well as audio signals to effortlessly create a clean setup which commonly exists within TV systems. Several versions of HDMI have emerged which build upon the older editions. On modern monitors, you’ll find any combination of the following ports:

> HDMI 1.4: Supports up to 4K (4,096 by 2,160) at 24Hz, 4K (3,840 by 2,160) at 30Hz, or 1080p at 120Hz.

> HDMI 2.0: Every HDMI 1.4 version delivers 4K resolution output at 60Hz speed while later versions (HDMI 2.0a and 2.0b) provide an added benefit with HDR support.

> HDMI 2.1: HDMI 2.1 delivers 10K resolution at 120Hz together with enhanced HDR functionality and an improved eARC feature for transmitting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio from display to receiver. The variable refresh rate in HDMI 2.1 operates similarly to FreeSync but exclusive HDMI 2.0 monitors can still utilize this same technology.

  • HDMI 2.1a: Adds Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM).
  • HDMI 2.1b: Adds up to 48Gbps in bandwidth.

> HDMI 2.2: This technology introduction at CES 2025 delivers 96 Gbps data-transfer capabilities along with 12K resolution and enables device signal synchronization through the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP). This new standard remains years ahead of when devices and media networks can match its capabilities.

These simplified descriptions explain the fundamental features of each HDMI version (other improvements exist but focus primarily on user needs). You must use an HDMI cable which matches your device specs for complete performance.

Also Read: Free Up C Drive Space in Windows

Key Advantages of HDMI Connections

To understand the relationship between HDMI and DisplayPort let’s compare them. Consumer electronics stimulated the widespread adoption of HDMI because its designers created it for that market. Each TV display along with every beam projector and game console and computer monitor features no less than one HDMI port. Through HDMI technology you can connect a PC to a TV in order to display videos or images on a bigger monitor screen. Every portion of signal movement operates digitally. Digital to analog signal conversion is not necessary in this system leading to minimal transmission losses.

HDMI 2.1a offers a resolution of 8K at 60 hertz or 4K at 120 hertz but transfer rates of only up to 42 gigabits per second. FreeSync (AMD) synchronization between monitors and graphics cards operates under the current HDMI specifications.

You should never link your devices by using an HDMI cable that measures longer than ten meters. Too lengthy cables can result in transmission difficulties during operation. With special HDMI fiber optic cables users can achieve transmission distances of 100 meters.

Introduction to DisplayPort

DisplayPort

DisplayPort resembles HDMI visually while serving primarily as an interface for personal computers as opposed to televisions. While maintaining video with high-definition resolution DisplayPort includes audio capabilities in most setups with its own special technical standards. On modern monitors, you’ll likely find any of the following:

DisplayPort 1.2: DisplayPort 1.2 enables 4K output at 60 frames per second while ports with 1.2a also enable AMD FreeSync functionality.

DisplayPort 1.3: Supports up to 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 30Hz

DisplayPort 1.4: Supports up to 8K at 60Hz and HDR

DisplayPort 2.0: Supports 16K with HDR at 60Hz and 10K without HDR at 80Hz.

DisplayPort 2.1: Adds USB4 compatibility.

Find your DisplayPort cable from the certified cables list provided by DisplayPort because this will guarantee its advertised performance. Apart from these traits DisplayPort contains supplemental useful features. With built-in support for both AMD’s FreeSync and Nvidia’s G-Sync technology your device provides beautiful tear-free gaming whenever your monitor has the necessary capabilities. 

DisplayPort offers a single-point access to multiple monitors through one connection although each device needs its own port. Groups of monitors can receive Data signals from laptops through their USB-C ports. Modern laptops with Thunderbolt versions from 2 to 4 enable users to route DisplayPort signals through alternate ports. DisplayPort cables feature built-in clips for secure monitor attachment though these benefits also lead to installation difficulties.

Key Advantages of DisplayPort Connections

DisplayPort exists as a digital interface between monitors and computers. This involved high transfer rates of up to 240 hertz. The AUX channel integrated into DisplayPort connections enables both directions of communication between end devices and PCs for automatic system configuration. The G-Sync (Nvidia) and FreeSync (AMD) technologies support direct communication between monitors and graphics cards enabling picture perfection alongside automatic adjustment removal. The way DisplayPort connects its components synchronously promotes this standard as an alluring choice for people who game.

The addition of the most recent DisplayPort protocol model provides total data transfer speeds that reach 77.37 gigabits per second. The combination of 8K resolution 8,192 × 4,320 pixels and 60 hertz frame rate and 12-bit color depth ensures the possibility of uncompressed transmission.

A daisy chain connection allows you to extend multiple monitors from a single display port. For this functionality to function monitors must possess both DP-Out ports that require appropriate configuration. Dual units can link through the display port’s MST functionality but this feature remains restricted to Windows operating systems at present. More guidance on linking multiple monitors to computers becomes available through our pieces “Dual monitors for a laptop” and “How to set up dual monitors in Windows 10 and 11”.

Further DisplayPort channels support touch capability and USB connectivity while offering access to cameras and microphones alongside other hardware devices. DisplayPort connectors include an optional lock feature as part of their safety specifications. A simple button press unlocks barbs and allows connector release.

Which Cable Fits Your Device Best?

Here’s a simple comparison table between HDMI vs. DisplayPort:-

HDMI vs. DisplayPort

While none of these cables stands supreme over all others they serve different display purposes. You need two things for GPU-type monitoring: first, your GPU requires output that matches your monitor’s input requirements and second, you need an appropriate cable. Among these two options DisplayPort 1.4 presents a more superior selection than HDMI 2.0 does. Choose HDMI 2.0 over DisplayPort 1.2 if your devices support HDMI 2.0 while the display provides only these input options for HDR support. Learn about

DisplayPort 2.1 emerges as the preferred standard because it delivers maximum performance alongside maximum future-compatibility for gaming devices. DisplayPort 2.1 delivers a maximum data transfer rate double HDMI 2.1 at 77.37 Gbps along with significantly higher refresh rates at both 4K and 8K resolutions (240 Hz and 85 Hz compared to HDMI’s 144 Hz and 30 Hz) and supports additional Display Stream Compression features beyond HDMI. Any monitor demanding compression applications to operate at its maximum resolution/frame rates requires this feature specifically.

DisplayPort 2.1 adoption remains minimal for monitors yet most GPUs fail to harness its potential because they lack sufficient bandwidth. DisplayPort 2.1 supports three different transmission modes, called Ultra High Bitrate: UHBR10, UHBR 13.5 and BR20. UHBR20 functions as the sole option that leverages the entire DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth yet remains beyond reach for most present-day graphics cards. Choosing equipment that matches your specific design needs stands as your most beneficial selection. Read each link in your connector chain before making your purchase to find the best combination that delivers maximum performance.