HDMI vs DisplayPort- How to Pick the Right Cable for Monitor
In HDMI vs DisplayPort, for most PC gaming monitors, use DisplayPort. For TVs, consoles, and home theater gear, use HDMI. If your monitor and graphics card both support the same version of each, either works fine for everyday use, so the real differences only show up at high refresh rates, high resolutions, and in special features.
Short on time? The quick picks below cover most setups. If your screen flickers, a cable or port mismatch is often the cause, so see our monitor flickering guide.
Table of Contents
HDMI vs DisplayPort- Quick answer: Which Should You Use?
| Your setup | Use |
|---|---|
| PC with a 144Hz or higher gaming monitor | DisplayPort |
| PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo console | HDMI |
| TV connected to a PC or console | HDMI |
| Office monitor at 1080p or 1440p, 60 to 75Hz | Either |
| Soundbar or AV receiver with ARC or eARC | HDMI |
| Several monitors from one port (daisy-chaining) | DisplayPort |
| Laptop to external monitor | Whichever the laptop supportsOften USB-C or HDMI |
HDMI vs DisplayPort Flowchart: Which Should You Use?
1What are you connecting?
Is it a game console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo), a TV, or a soundbar or AV receiver that uses ARC or eARC?
2How fast is your monitor?
Is it a gaming monitor at 144Hz or higher, or a 4K monitor with a high refresh rate?
3Do you need several monitors from one port?
Do you want to daisy-chain monitors from a single output?
Seeing flicker, a blank screen, or a missing refresh rate? Try a different certified cable first, then read our monitor flickering guide.
HDMI vs DisplayPort at a Glance
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the standard on TVs, consoles, soundbars, and most laptops. DisplayPort is built for computers and is the usual choice on graphics cards and gaming monitors. USB-C and Thunderbolt connections that carry video use the DisplayPort protocol under the hood.
The main differences:
- Bandwidth: DisplayPort versions generally offer more than HDMI at the same generation.
- Home theater features: HDMI has ARC and eARC audio return and CEC control. DisplayPort doesn’t support ARC. evetech
- Consoles: Consoles don’t output DisplayPort. evetech
- Multi-monitor: DisplayPort supports daisy-chaining several monitors from one port, which HDMI doesn’t.
Version matters more than the name
Comparing DisplayPort vs HDMI without a version number tells you little. Here are the main versions:
| Version | Raw bandwidth | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI 2.0 | 18 Gbps | 4K at 60Hz, 1080p and 1440p high refresh |
| HDMI 2.1 | 48 Gbps | 4K at 120Hz, console gaming, modern TVs |
| DisplayPort 1.4 | 32.4 Gbps | 1440p high refresh, 4K up to about 120Hz |
| DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR20) | Up to 80 Gbps | 4K at 240Hz and beyond |
DisplayPort 2.1 at its top tier gives 80 Gbps raw bandwidth, nearly double HDMI 2.1’s 48 Gbps. A newer HDMI 2.2 standard raises HDMI to 96 Gbps and needs new “Ultra96” cables, but when it was announced, it wasn’t present on any graphics cards. Check your own GPU and monitor specs for what’s actually available to you now. ktcplaycorsair
Raw vs usable bandwidth: the figures above are raw. Real usable bandwidth is lower, and both standards can use Display Stream Compression (DSC) to squeeze in modes that exceed it. If a mode goes beyond raw bandwidth, DSC switches on. DSC is designed to be visually near-lossless, but it’s worth knowing if you’re comparing “uncompressed” claims. evetech
HDMI vs DisplayPort for Gaming
For a desktop gaming PC, DisplayPort is usually the better pick. Users chasing uncompressed 4K at 240Hz or more on current graphics cards are better served by DisplayPort 2.1 with a UHBR20-certified cable, for monitors that support it. At 1080p and 1440p up to 144Hz, both do the job. ktcplay
On current NVIDIA cards the port mix reflects this. The RTX 50 series has a single HDMI 2.1b port alongside three DisplayPort 2.1b ports. Use a DisplayPort output for your main monitor and keep HDMI for a TV or a second screen. pcwelt
For consoles, there’s no choice: use HDMI, and make sure the cable and TV port are HDMI 2.1 if you want 4K at 120Hz.
Does HDMI or DisplayPort support G-Sync and FreeSync?
Both do. Variable refresh rate works over either cable now, including FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible on certified monitors. Don’t choose a cable just for VRR. If you aren’t sure what it does, read our What Is G-Sync? guide. To understand why VRR matters, see What Is Screen Tearing?. evetech
HDMI vs DisplayPort for TVs, home theater, and audio
Use HDMI. TVs and receivers are built around it, and it carries ARC/eARC audio back to a soundbar or receiver and supports CEC, which lets one remote control multiple devices. A DisplayPort-to-HDMI setup can work, but you’ll often lose features.
Which Cable Should You Buy?
The cable can limit what the port can do.
- HDMI 2.1: buy a cable labeled Ultra High Speed. Buy certified HDMI Forum Ultra High Speed cables and VESA-certified DisplayPort cables from retailers you trust. evetech
- DisplayPort: look for the certification matching your needs (for example DP80 for the highest speeds). An older cable on a DisplayPort 2.1 port limits you to lower bandwidth modes. evetech
- Length: longer cables carry less bandwidth. A DP80LL cable is needed for high-bandwidth transmission at three meters. corsair
- Backward compatibility: DisplayPort is fully backward-compatible, so a DP 2.1 cable works on a DP 1.4 monitor, but you only get DP 1.4 bandwidth. evetech
- Adapters: DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters work for most lower-bandwidth uses but may not support the top refresh rates and resolutions. evetech
A poor cable is also a common cause of flicker, blank screens, and dropouts. If you see those, follow our monitor flickering fixes. For a deeper look at display ports and cables in general, Corsair’s guide to DisplayPort 2.1b and HDMI 2.1b is a good reference.
How to Check Which Version Your Ports Support
- Check the monitor’s spec sheet or manual for the HDMI and DisplayPort version of each port. Many monitors mix them, for example one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports.
- Check your graphics card’s specs on the manufacturer’s website.
- Look at the cable label or product page for the certification.
- Test it. In Windows, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display and see which refresh rates are offered. If your top rate is missing, the cable, port, or version is the limit.
Frequently asked questions
Is DisplayPort better than HDMI?
For PC monitors at high refresh rates, usually yes, because DisplayPort versions typically offer more bandwidth. For TVs and consoles, HDMI is the better and often the only choice.
Can I use HDMI for a 144Hz monitor?
Yes, on most monitors at 1080p and 1440p. You need a port and cable that support it, and HDMI 2.0 or higher is usually enough at those resolutions.
Can HDMI do 4K at 120Hz or 144Hz?
HDMI 2.1 can do 4K at 120Hz, and higher rates are possible with compression. For 4K at 144Hz or above on a PC, DisplayPort is common on gaming monitors.
Does DisplayPort have better picture quality than HDMI?
No. If both connections run at the same resolution, refresh rate, and color settings, the picture looks the same. The difference is in what each can support.
Can I convert HDMI to DisplayPort or the other way?
Yes, with an adapter. Quality and supported modes vary, and active adapters are needed for some conversions, so check the adapter’s specs against your monitor.
Does HDMI or DisplayPort affect input lag?
Not in any meaningful way. Input lag depends mainly on the monitor itself and its settings, not the cable standard.
Do I need a special HDMI cable for 4K 120Hz?
Yes. Use an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, along with HDMI 2.1 ports on both the source and the display.
Why is my monitor flickering on HDMI or DisplayPort?
Common causes are a damaged or low-quality cable, an unsupported refresh rate, or adaptive sync problems. Our monitor flickering guide walks through each fix.
Can I use USB-C instead?
Often yes. Many USB-C and Thunderbolt ports carry video using the DisplayPort protocol, but check that the port supports “DisplayPort Alt Mode” or Thunderbolt before buying.
Conclusion
Pick DisplayPort for a PC with a high-refresh gaming monitor, pick HDMI for TVs, consoles, and home theater gear, and either one is fine for a standard office monitor. What matters most is the version your ports support and the quality of your cable, not the logo on the connector.
Check your monitor and graphics card specs, buy a certified cable for the speed you need, and confirm your refresh rate in Windows display settings. If something looks wrong, such as flickering or a missing refresh rate option, start with the cable and see our monitor flickering guide.
