If you're building a gaming rig from scratch or upgrading a monitor, you might be wondering whether to choose HDMI or DisplayPort. Both standards have been around for a while and have their pros and cons. In this post, we'll compare the two interfaces and help you choose the one that's right for you.
What is HDMI?
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. It's a digital interface that transmits audio and video signals from a source device to a display. HDMI is a common interface used in TVs, game consoles, and home theater systems.
What is DisplayPort?
DisplayPort is a digital interface developed by VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association). Like HDMI, it transmits audio and video signals from a source device to a display. DisplayPort is commonly used in computer monitors and video cards.
Which is better for gaming monitors?
Both HDMI and DisplayPort are suitable for gaming monitors. They support high resolutions and refresh rates, which are important for a smooth gaming experience. However, there are some differences between the two interfaces.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted per second. A higher bandwidth means that more data can be transmitted, resulting in higher resolutions and refresh rates.
HDMI 2.0 supports a maximum bandwidth of 18 Gbps, which is enough to support 4K@60Hz. HDMI 2.1 supports a maximum bandwidth of 48 Gbps, which can support resolutions up to 10K@120Hz.
DisplayPort 1.4 supports a maximum bandwidth of 32.4 Gbps, which can support resolutions up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@144Hz. DisplayPort 2.0 supports a maximum bandwidth of 80 Gbps, which can support resolutions up to 16K@60Hz.
HDR
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It improves the color accuracy and contrast of images.
HDMI 2.0 supports HDR10, which is a popular HDR format. HDMI 2.1 supports a more advanced HDR format called HDR10+.
DisplayPort 1.4 and 2.0 both support HDR10 and DisplayHDR, which is a VESA standard for HDR.
Adaptive Sync
Adaptive Sync is a technology that synchronizes the refresh rate of a monitor with the framerate of a game. This can eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.
HDMI supports two types of Adaptive Sync: FreeSync and G-Sync. FreeSync is an open standard developed by AMD, while G-Sync is a proprietary standard developed by NVIDIA.
DisplayPort supports FreeSync and G-Sync as well as VESA's own standard, called Adaptive-Sync.
Conclusion
Both HDMI and DisplayPort are suitable for gaming monitors, and the differences between the two are minor. However, if you're looking for the highest resolutions and refresh rates, DisplayPort is the way to go. If you prefer HDR, both interfaces have good support for it. And if you want Adaptive Sync, both interfaces support a variety of standards.
At the end of the day, the choice between HDMI and DisplayPort will depend on your specific needs and preferences. So, go ahead and choose the one that works best for you!