Displayport oder hdmi gaming: DisplayPort Vs. HDMI: Which Is Better For Gaming?

DisplayPort oder HDMI: Welchen Anschluss nutzen Gamer?

Die Antwort gle­ich vor­weg: Es kommt auf das Anwen­dungsszenario an! Was das bedeutet und wo der Unter­schied zwis­chen Dis­play­Port und HDMI-Anschluss ist, erfährst Du hier in unserem Rat­ge­ber.

Im Bere­ich Gam­ing haben sich beim Über­tra­gen von hochau­flösenden Video- und Audiosig­nalen zwei Stan­dards durchge­set­zt, und zwar Dis­play­Port und HDMI. Während PC-Gamer eher zum Dis­play­Port-Kabel greifen, stöpseln Kon­soleros Ihre besten Stücke via HDMI an den Fernse­her. Warum? Entschei­dend sind die Hard­ware und das Anwen­dungsszenario.

Bitte akzeptieren Sie die Nutzung von Drittanbieter-Einbindungen mit einem Klick auf den folgenden Button:

Video: Youtube / TechQuick­ie

Bei PC-Gamern entscheidet die Grafikkarte

Aktuelle Grafikkarten ver­fü­gen über einen Dis­play­Port und mehrere HDMI-Anschlüsse, ältere hinge­gen lassen sich nur mit HDMI- oder gar DVI-Kabel an den Mon­i­tor anschließen. Zudem läuft Nvidias G-Sync-Tech­nolo­gie nur über Dis­play­Port – ein Muss für viele Gamer, da G-Sync das Bild geschmei­di­ger macht. FreeSync ist AMDs Antwort auf G-Sync und läuft auch über HDMI. Genaueres über G-Sync und FreeSync erfährst Du in unserem Rat­ge­ber.

Konsolen nutzen HDMI

G-Sync, FreeSync und hohe Bild­wieder­hol­rat­en sind im Kom­men. Xbox-One-Besitzer freuen sich über FreeSync-Sup­port und auch erste Fernse­her mit G-Sync-Sup­port wer­den hergestellt. Let­zteres ist trotz­dem eine Nis­che und zielt auf PC-Spiel­er ab, also greifen Kon­soleros in der Regel zu HDMI-Kabeln – der wohl jedem bekan­nten Wohnz­im­mer-Strippe. Das liegt auch daran, dass aktuelle Kon­solen und die meis­ten Fernse­her nur über HDMI-Ports ver­fü­gen. Ob die kom­menden Next-Gen-Kon­solen mit Dis­play­Ports trumpfen? Zweifel­haft: Schließlich steck­en in der Xbox Series X und der PS5 Grafikchips von AMD. Abge­se­hen davon müssen Sam­sung, Philips, LG und Co. mit­spie­len. Es kommt näm­lich auch darauf an, ob die großen Fernse­her-Her­steller die Dis­play­Port-Buchse in ihre Geräte bauen. Aktuell gibt es sehr wenige Fernse­her mit dieser Tech­nolo­gie.

Genug gezockt? Dann schau Dir mal GigaTV an. Hier find­est Du alle Infos über das Enter­tain­ment-Paket. 

DisplayPort vs. HDMI: Welcher Standard ist besser?

Wenn man die Wahl hat, stellt sich die Frage: Welchen Port sollte man zum Zock­en nutzen? Tech­nisch liegen Dis­play­Port und HDMI aktuell gle­ichauf. Wer am PC spielt, sollte trotz­dem zum Dis­play­Port greifen, um die Daisy-Chains-Tech­nolo­gie nutzen zu kön­nen. Hier­bei ver­kettest Du Deine Mon­i­tore (wie bei einem Gänse­blüm­chenkranz), anstatt jedes Dis­play mit sep­a­rat­en Kabeln an die Grafikkarte zu steck­en.

Der Dis­play­Port hat einen großen Vorteil: Dank Daisy-Chains kannst Du Deine Mon­i­tore ver­ket­ten. — Bild: Eigenkreation

GeForce-Besitzer mit entsprechen­dem Mon­i­tor set­zen wegen G-Sync ohne­hin auf Dis­play­Port. Zwar ver­fügt der Anschluss über kein ARC (Audio Return Chan­nel), aber der ist für Gamer ohne­hin nut­z­los. HDMI ist für Kon­soleros nach wie vor das Non­plusul­tra. Falls Du dem­nächst ein neues Kabel kaufen möcht­est, dann soll­test Du auf die Ver­sion acht­en. Ältere HDMI-Kabel sind näm­lich längst nicht so gut, wie die aktuellen. In einem weit­eren Artikel erfährst Du, was HDMI 2.1 alles drauf hat.

Welch­es Kabel benutzt Du für den Anschluss Deines PCs? Schreib uns gerne einen Kom­men­tar.

DisplayPort vs HDMI | PC Gamer

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Where should you stand on the DisplayPort vs HDMI debate? Depending on the specs of your rig and monitor resolution, it’s not always easy to know which you ought to pick. Is it even worth using a DVI cable anymore? Go deep enough and it’s easy to get lost in specifications, version numbers, and other hardware trivia.

Fortunately, there is a definite hierarchy for gamers when it comes to picking video ports. The simple answer is that you should probably be using a DisplayPort cable to connect your graphics card to your monitor. It offers the best bandwidth and full support for adaptive refresh features like G-Sync and FreeSync.

Of course, the longer answer is that sometimes another cable will serve you better. Some video cards won’t have the right port, and some monitors won’t be able to display the best signal, so it’s a good idea to know the pecking order and best alternatives. 

Below we’ve broken down the advantages and disadvantages of HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI, and what their various specifications are capable of.

Full-size DisplayPort (left) and Mini-DisplayPort (right) support the exact same features. (Image credit: Future)

DisplayPort: The first choice

For reasons practical and otherwise, DisplayPort is the first choice for hooking up a monitor to a PC. You won’t find these ports on TV sets or non-computer gear, but they are regularly found on modern graphics cards and gaming laptops.  

DisplayPort’s superior bandwidth has given it the edge over HDMI at each step of the standard’s evolution. Even the earliest 1.0 and 1.1 versions support 144Hz refresh rates at 1080p, along with audio. Version 1.3 upped the speed to 26 GBps.

Although VESA announced DisplayPort 2.0 in 2019, the current, widely used version is DisplayPort 1.4. This version supports HDR, compression, and 32-channel audio support. This swift data rate allows 4K resolutions to enjoy 120Hz and 144Hz refresh rates, although the latter requires the new SDC compression modes enabled. It supports up to 8K resolution at 60Hz.

Traditionally Nvidia’s G-Sync also required DisplayPort, and while AMD’s FreeSync is supported over some HDMI connections, adaptive sync technology has been baked as an option into the DisplayPort standard since 1.2a so adaptive sync DisplayPort monitors are much easier to find.

Nvidia has now decided to open up some G-Sync screens to variable refresh rate over HDMI, but only on newer models, with the firmware not made available to update older G-Sync panels.

Attaching multiple displays is also more flexible with DisplayPort, since Thunderbolt-style daisy chaining is possible. This is a boon for productivity tasks, although gamers beware since this style of multi-monitor connection shares bandwidth between screens.

USB-C connectors also output video over the DisplayPort standard, which makes it easy to output video from a laptop or Android phone with an adapter to the typical DP plug (or HDMI).

Next generation DisplayPort, version 2.0, has already been finalized and bumps bandwidth to a massive 77 GBps, enabling uncompressed 4K at 240Hz, 5K at 180Hz, compressed modes supporting up to 16K at 60Hz. It’ll be a while before displays you can actually buy catch up.

What kind of cable do you need?

The newest versions of the DisplayPort standard (most people still use 1.4) require new hardware in your graphics card and monitor, but no changes in the cable. Any generic DisplayPort cable you buy will be future proof. Though quality can vary.

When is the next update expected?

At CES 2019, VESA announced DisplayPort 2.0. It’s been almost three years and the new standard hasn’t been properly adopted by monitor and graphics card manufacturers yet. The ongoing pandemic has halted its development and it’s still unclear when the 2.0 version will start making its way out into the public.

Micro, Mini, and full-size HDMI. All three connectors support the same features. (Image credit: Snowkids)

HDMI: Made for the living room first

Found pretty much everywhere, HDMI is handy and cheap, but comes with some compromises compared to DisplayPort 2.0. HDMI 2.1, the latest standard, supports 48 GBps of bandwidth, up from 2.0’s 18 GBps. That’s significantly lower than the upcoming DisplayPort 2.0. The new HDMI version supports compressed 4K at 144Hz, 1080p at 240Hz, and 1440p at 385Hz. That would be great news for PC gamers, but not every monitor supports high refresh rates, so your results may vary.

HDMI 2.0a and 2.0b arrived several years back and largely match DisplayPort’s abilities, although at a lower peak bandwidth of 18 GBps, so 4K is limited to 60Hz. It’s still find for people with current video cards.

Version 2.1 HDMI is pretty common in high end TVs and monitors, since it’s required for the best HDR support. This makes HDMI 2.1 the perfect connector pick for people looking to game at high refresh rates or 4K resolutions with living room PCs on big screen displays, since the standard supports 4K at 144Hz and 1080p at 240Hz.

What kind of cable do you need? 

There are a number of HDMI cable variants, but the one you want is a Ultra High Speed HDMI cable . This will definitely work with 4K displays and support the full bandwidth of HDMI 2.1. Or, you know, you could get a fully RGB HDMI cable , which has decent 18Gbps specs and bright colors. Sweet. 

When is the next update expected? 

HDMI 2. 1 is widely available now, but HDMI 2.1a is on the horizon. While it’s a minor update, 2.1a introduces Source-Based Tone Mapping, or SBTM. SBTM is an improvement on existing HDR technology that offloads HDR tone mapping to your computer, set-top box, or console. It’s all about letting something other than your television do the optimization work for HDR.

A dual-link DVI cable has a full set of pins, like this one. (Image credit: Darkwisper / Getty)

DVI: Don’t bury me, I’m not quite dead

DVI connectors are starting to be completely phased out on most desktop video cards. Everyone has moved onto HDMI and DisplayPort. DVI connectors are huge, clunky, require yesteryear screw twists to fasten, and generally don’t include audio signals, but they do support the sweet-spot 144Hz, 1080p resolution for many older gaming setups. They also support up to 2560×1600 at 60Hz, opening up 1440p which remains a useful productivity resolution. 

Evolving as a transition connector of sorts from the dreaded VGA days of the 1990s, DVI comes in myriad versions including a throwback analog variant along with single- and dual-link varieties. Most DVI cables you buy today will be the high-bandwidth dual-link versions, but if you go hunting for a quick replacement in a junk drawer, make sure there’s a full field of pins in the cable’s connectors or you’ll be limited to the lower 1920×1200 resolution and refresh rates of the single link DVI standard. 

After a 23-year run, DVI’s life as a connector standard is drawing to a close so consider it a short-term solution to get the best out of your hardware today, since everything else uses something newer.

 What kind of cable do you need? 

For 1440p and high refresh, dual-link DVI cables are your friend.

When is the next update expected? 

Actually, no it really is dead, Jim.

Only use when required. (Image credit: Future)

One final point; while adapters exist for most cable mismatches, tread carefully since additional connectors can introduce problems such as a lost or blinking video signal or HDCP errors. Even if everything works perfectly, you’ll be limited to the slower port’s standards. 

For DisplayPort adapters, both active and passive versions are available when matching ports aren’t built into the target display. In these situations, active adapters are preferred since they allow full support of multi-display features, such as triple monitor arrangements, although you can save a few dollars with passive adapters if you never plan on using more than two displays at once.

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Tyler has covered games, games culture, and hardware for over a decade before joining PC Gamer as Associate Editor. He’s done in-depth reporting on communities and games as well as criticism for sites like Polygon, Wired, and Waypoint. He’s interested in the weird and the fascinating when it comes to games, spending time probing for stories and talking to the people involved. Tyler loves sinking into games like Final Fantasy 14, Overwatch, and Dark Souls to see what makes them tick and pluck out the parts worth talking about. His goal is to talk about games the way they are: broken, beautiful, and bizarre.

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HDMI vs DisplayPort — which is better?

Contents

  1. HDMI — Ideal for both TVs and computers
  2. DisplayPort — Ideal for computers
  3. How to choose between HDMI and DisplayPort
  4. Using HDMI and DisplayPort for gaming
  5. Sometimes there is no winner between DisplayPort and HDMI

HDMI and DisplayPort are two of the most popular cable connectors for many devices, from game consoles and monitors to various TVs. However, these connectors have had friendly competition for some time now. They may look similar, but in practice they are different. nine0003

Are you in a dilemma, which one to choose?

In this article, we will help you choose the best option. Learn about the features and devices that work best with each connector.

HDMI — Ideal for both TVs and computers

HDMI — Ideal for both TVs and computers

The HDMI port is most commonly used on TVs to carry high-definition video and audio signals. One cable each to connect the TV to ISPs, set-top boxes or game consoles. It is also the best choice for low to mid-range PC monitors. Since modern HDMI is standardized, easy to connect and use, and is widely supported by many brands and models.

Modern display devices, modems, and video cards typically have a combination of the following ports:

  • HDMI 1.4 : Supports resolutions up to 4K at 24Hz, 4K at 30Hz, or 1080p at 120Hz. The bandwidth ( data bandwidth ) is 10.2 Gbps.
  • HDMI 2.0 : Supports up to 4K@60Hz at 18Gbps. Newer versions (2.0a, 2.0b) also include support for HDR ( High Dynamic Range ) to improve image contrast.
  • HDMI 2.1 : Supports up to 10K at 120Hz. The throughput is 48 Gbps. This version improves support for HDR with dynamic metadata and improved audio return channel ( eARC ).

Please note that not all devices support the latest version of HDMI. And you should check what options are available to you. Typically newer versions HDMI is better. You can always check the HDMI connectors on your devices or the user manual to check version compatibility.

Fortunately, the current HDMI (1.4 and up) is backward compatible, so you can connect the HDMI 2.1 screen to a 1. 4 compatible device. In such cases, the older device (in terms of HDMI compatibility) determines the overall image quality.

The same compatibility applies to cables. Cable connection HDMI 2.0 to two 2.1 compatible devices will limit their bandwidth to 2.0. This will also disable additional features provided by the updated standard. When it comes to the HDMI , buying a cable is just as important as choosing which devices to connect to.

Luckily there are a lot of options, you can even buy RGB cable .

DisplayPort — Ideal for PC

DisplayPort — Ideal for PC

Although the DisplayPort looks similar to the HDMI cable, it is more commonly used in computers than TVs. It supports high-definition video and audio, and its standards are just as different.

The following versions of the DisplayPort cables can be found on modern graphics cards, monitors, and some TVs:

  • DisplayPort 1. 2 : Supports up to 4K at 60Hz. The throughput is 17.28 Gbps.
  • DisplayPort 1.3 : Supports up to 4K@120Hz or 8K@30Hz. The throughput is 32.4 Gbps.
  • DisplayPort 1.4 : Supports up to 8K @ 60Hz. Bandwidth 32.4 Gbps.
  • DisplayPort 2.0 : Supports up to 16K with HDR at 60Hz. The throughput is 80 Gbps.

In addition, DisplayPort supports AMD Free Sync and Nvidia G-Sync , so you can enjoy great games and designs no matter what graphics card you use. nine0003

Another benefit of the DisplayPort cables is the ability to connect multiple monitors via a single daisy chain connection. This is useful if you want to connect two monitors to your computer and your graphics card only has one DisplayPort installed. If you are using a laptop, you can also transmit DisplayPort signals through the USB-C port .

DisplayPort cables are also universal for this connection standard. In practice, this means that buying one cable DisplayPort is safe for future hardware.

How to choose between HDMI and DisplayPort

How to choose between HDMI and DisplayPort

First of all, you need to check which connection versions your device supports. As a rule, the newer standard works better, and the outdated one worse. For example, if your device supports HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 , DisplayPort is the best option.

However HDMI has some advantages due to its age. As it spreads, more and more devices will have this connection port. If you travel frequently on business and want to connect your laptop to a wider range of devices around the house, the HDMI is the best option.

If you’re on a budget and looking to buy a monitor, the HDMI is also the right choice, as almost every monitor has one. But if you are planning to upgrade to a new graphics card, buying a card with connection DisplayPort would be a wiser decision.

Using HDMI and DisplayPort for Gaming

You might think it’s best to use the cable that came with your computer. But some differences can affect refresh rate, color quality, or both.

Before making a purchase decision, you may want to consider the video output capabilities of your video card and the video input capabilities of your display.

In most cases, when it comes to games, it is best to use cable DisplayPort for connecting a video card to a monitor. It provides the best bandwidth and full support for adaptive refresh features such as G-Sync and FreeSync . Adaptive sync technologies help keep game frame rates in sync with your monitor’s refresh rate to prevent these issues. It also allows you to run smoothly on a monitor with a higher frame rate when running programs with a lower frame rate. nine0003

For today’s advanced systems DisplayPort 1.4 is a one-stop solution. It supports HDR , compression and 32-channel audio while delivering the highest resolution potential for the ultimate experience. If you’re using an inexpensive monitor or computer without a separate GPU , the HDMI is the best (and usually only) choice of the two.

The dispute between DisplayPort and HDMI can be resolved depending on the type of your graphics card and monitor. For G-Sync from Nvidia requires DisplayPort and FreeSync from AMD is supported by both connection types. Some older AMD cards may only have the HDMI port. However, in general, monitors that need to use adaptive clock technology (usually 144Hz and above) have both the DisplayPort and the HDMI .

HDMI is the preferred format for home theater equipment and game consoles. For example like Xbox Series X and Play Station 5 . DisplayPort is not yet available for these devices, so HDMI 2.1 can be used. But for older consoles, you should pay attention to their version HDMI and the specific list of supported functions.

Professionals and gamers alike prefer the DisplayPort when it comes to clarity and picture quality. A HDMI 2.1 takes second place.

It should also be noted that monitors Apple do not support HDMI. Accordingly, this makes the DisplayPort a clear winner for this brand.

Sometimes there is no winner between

DisplayPort and HDMI

HDMI and DisplayPort have similar performance. But each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. HDMI is widely supported by most devices, but DisplayPort offers some features that 9 does not0017 HDMI . However, the right choice still depends on the equipment used and what you want to get.

We hope this guide has helped you make the right decision for your needs.

Have you used HDMI or DisplayPort cables before? Did this article help you decide which cable to choose? Let us know in the comments section below.

DISPLAYPORT OR HDMI — WHICH TO CHOOSE

HDMI and DisplayPort do essentially the same job — they transmit video and audio from a source to a media device. They even have almost the same number of contacts: 19 and 20, respectively. The difference between the interfaces will become clear after reviewing the main advantages and disadvantages of these technical solutions. If you need to transfer high-quality video to the screen, the choice of cable can significantly affect the result.

Types of HDMI cable

Unlike DisplayPort, HDMI is ubiquitous in laptops, TVs, disc players, cameras and camcorders. By marking, HDMI cables are divided into:

  • Standard. Video transmission in 1080i quality.
  • High speed. They transmit a picture in 4K format at a frequency of 30 fps.
  • Premium (4K and 60 fps).
  • Ultra (4K and 8K).

The signal transmission speed varies from 2 to 48 Gbps depending on the marking. Each of the varieties can be adapted for Internet transfer. In this case, the word «Ethernet» appears in the title.

Cable markings are related to HDMI connector standards. Specifications 2 and 2.1 are relevant, corresponding to premium and ultra-class conductors. According to the width of the contact pad, there is a gradation for a full-size, mini- and micro-connector. nine0003

About choosing an HDMI cable: How to choose an HDMI cable: 3 main criteria

HDMI cable applications

Let’s take a closer look at the demand for HDMI technology in the world of digital technology. The difference between HDMI and DisplayPort is easy to see if you look at the frequency of use of interfaces in devices. Premium and ultra-class cables are relevant wherever high-quality picture and sound transmission is needed:

  • connection of a PC video card and a monitor, a laptop port and a TV; nine0006
  • set-top box, disc player, game console, home theater connection;
  • connection of sound equipment (music center, radio).

For example, to connect a TV to a laptop, just connect them with a cable and select the appropriate signal source. A couple of gestures — and the desktop is visible on the big screen.

An interesting article: Types of Usb connectors — briefly in 3 sections

Advantages and disadvantages of HDMI cable

Of course, there are more pluses:

  1. Possibility to transmit video/audio/internet via one HDMI cable.
  2. Compatibility of new specifications with previous ones.
  3. Specification 2.1 up to 48Gbps throughput
  4. Versatility. The presence of connectors on the cases of motley equipment. It is convenient when there are 2-3 cords of the same type in the house.
  5. Support for Deep Color, HDTV, HDR. You can fully enjoy the quality of the TV picture.
  6. Cabled devices can «talk» and configure settings for optimal interaction.
  7. 4K signal transmission over 10 m with an inexpensive cord. On this point, in the duel Display Port vs copper HDMI, the latter clearly wins.

There is, perhaps, only one drawback — the cable is capable of transmitting only one stream for one device.

Types of Display Port cable

By analogy with HDMI, it is worth distinguishing between types of DP connectors and cables. The first category includes specifications from 1.0 to 2.0. The maximum speed of the 2.0 interface is 77 Gb / s. However, unlike HDMI, the latest DisplayPort is still a curiosity. nine0003

DP cable certification is easier to understand: the names have not changed several times, as in the case of HDMI. Cord standards:

  • The RBR cable operates at reduced speed. Suitable for 1080p image transmission.
  • Standards HBR, HBR2, HBR3. The second and third versions pull 4K.
  • UHBR 10-20 standards. The latter is suitable for 8K.

The size of the connectors are divided into 2 groups: full-size and mini-displayports. The first have a width of 16.1 mm, the second — 7.5 mm. Mini DP cables cannot be equipped with a mechanical latch. In this they are inferior to cords with full-size connectors. nine0003

Continuing the cable theme: What is usb type c: what 3 benefits will users appreciate after the introduction of Usb4

Display Port cable applications

. The VGA interface has long been outdated, and HDMI, from the point of view of cable manufacturers, has a serious drawback — you have to pay royalties. Hence the relevance of DisplayPort technology. The interface will come in handy if needed:

  • Provide signal transmission to two monitors.
  • Connect a VGA device to the notebook (adapter required). A DP cable will be a good solution when connecting a projector or an old display as a kitchen TV.

The answer to the question of which is better HDMI or full-size display port, sometimes depends on how you use the cord. The choice in favor of the latter may be due to the presence of a latch.

Connecting 2 monitors to a PC: How to connect 2 monitors to a PC + setup and software for working with two monitors

Advantages and disadvantages of Display Port cable

The opinion that over time DP cables will replace HDMI is very debatable. Highly specialized solutions rarely manage to successfully compete with universal options. Nevertheless, it is worth noting the advantages of DisplayPort:

  1. High bandwidth.
  2. Connect up to 6 monitors at the same time. Transmission of different signals to different displays.
  3. Packet data has made the technology extensible.
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