While players on current gaming devices, such as
HDMI or DisplayPort, that is the question!
Two interfaces for transmitting pictures and sound dominate the computer with today’s graphics cards. Users usually have a choice between HDMI and DisplayPort, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
The differences are mainly in the areas of resolution, refresh rate, bandwidth, and color depth, but users also have to consider the respective interface characteristics with cables.
Bandwidth issue
Bandwidth is a deciding factor when it comes to maximum resolutions, refresh rates and later color depths.
Reading tip:
While current graphics cards can deliver a maximum of 14.4Gbps or 48.0Gbps over HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1, the bandwidth of DisplayPort 1.4 and DisplayPort 2.0 is 32.4Gbps or 77.4Gbps. The current DisplayPort is clearly ahead here.
HDMI bandwidth
- HDMI 1.4 port: 8.2Gbps
- HDMI 2.0: 14.4Gbps
- HDMI 2.1: 48.0Gbps
DisplayPort bandwidth
- DisplayPort 1.2: 32.4Gbps
- DisplayPort 2.0: 77.4Gbps
Ultimately, the bandwidth cap has a critical effect on usable combinations of resolutions and refresh rates.
What decisions are made?
Users who play on PC usually use the resolution between Full HD (1080p) and 4K/UHD (2160p). The WQHD (1440p) standard, right in between, is now very popular and is usually combined with refresh rates of 60, 120 or 144 Hz.
4K/UHD at 60fps is not a problem for HDMI and DisplayPort, but to get higher resolutions and more frames per second, gamers need to pay attention to the appropriate generation of the interface.
HDMI resolution
- HDMI1.4 port:
- Full HD (1080p) at 120 Hz
- 4K / UHD (2160p) at 30Hz
- HDMI2.0 port
- Full HD (1080p) at 120 Hz
- 4K / UHD (2160p) at 60Hz
- HDMI2.1 port
- Full HD (1080p) at 480 Hz
- 4K / UHD (2160p) at 120Hz
DisplayPort resolutions
- DisplayPort 1.2:
- 8K/UHD (4320p) at 60Hz, 10-bit
- 4K/UHD (2160p) with 240Hz and 12-bit
- DisplayPort 2.0:
- 8K/UHD (4320p) at 120Hz, 10-bit
- 4K/UHD (2160p) with 240Hz and 12-bit
When it comes to resolution, DisplayPort has the advantage and is always the first choice on a PC when high resolutions are combined with refresh rates.
Gaming features
While HDMI 2.1 provides variable refresh rates for the first time using VRR (“Variable Refresh Rate”), this feature is implemented for DisplayPort via VESA Adaptive-Sync.
Gaming features like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync are fully supported on both interfaces and only require a compatible monitor.
Particularly high refresh rates of 120 Hz and more can be achieved with the latest generation interfaces and are also a matter of the connected display device.
Which interface for players?
Choosing the correct interface now mainly depends on the monitor in question. TV-based (“Smart TV”) players usually use the HDMI standard, while DisplayPort is mostly used on a PC.
Users, regardless of whether they are gamers or not, must ensure that their graphics card supports HDMI 2.1 and/or DisplayPort 1.4 and 2.0 standards. This means that all relevant resolutions and refresh rates important for gaming and productivity applications can be used.
It is also important to use a cable that has been expressly certified by the respective standard.
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