DisplayPort is usually the better pick for PC gaming on a monitor. It reaches higher refresh rates on most graphics cards, works with G-Sync on every NVIDIA card, and locks into place. For consoles and TVs, HDMI is the clear choice, because the PS5, Xbox Series X, and nearly every TV only have HDMI ports.
Both carry sharp 4K video and sound. The DisplayPort vs HDMI decision really comes down to two things: your device's ports and how fast your screen refreshes. Below, we compare speed, refresh rate, audio, and cable length so you can match the right cable to your setup.
What Is DisplayPort?
DisplayPort is a digital video and audio connection made by VESA, a group of display and computer makers. It came out in 2006 and was built mainly for computer monitors. You'll find it on most gaming graphics cards and high-refresh monitors.
DisplayPort 1.4 moves up to 32.4 Gbps, enough for 4K at 120 Hz. DisplayPort 2.1 jumps to 80 Gbps for 4K at 240 Hz and beyond. The full-size plug has small latches that click in and keep the cable from slipping out. A smaller Mini DisplayPort version shows up on some older laptops.
What Is HDMI?
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. It launched in 2003 for TVs and home theater gear. Today it's on almost every TV, console, streaming box, and many monitors. HDMI 2.0 handles 4K at 60 Hz.
HDMI 2.1 raises the limit to 48 Gbps, which supports 4K at 120 Hz, 8K at 60 Hz, and gaming features like VRR and ALLM. HDMI also carries ARC and eARC, so your TV can send sound to a soundbar over the same port. Mini and Micro HDMI plugs are used on cameras and tablets.
DisplayPort vs HDMI Gaming: Key Differences
Both cables send crisp video and audio, but they were built for different screens. DisplayPort grew up on PC monitors, and HDMI grew up on TVs. The HDMI vs DisplayPort gaming gap shows up in refresh rates, sync features, and audio. The table below lines them up side by side.
|
Feature |
DisplayPort |
HDMI |
|
Made by |
VESA (2006) |
HDMI Forum, including Sony and Panasonic (2003) |
|
Latest version |
DisplayPort 2.1 |
HDMI 2.1b |
|
Max bandwidth |
80 Gbps (DP 2.1, UHBR20) |
48 Gbps (HDMI 2.1) |
|
Common gaming version |
DisplayPort 1.4 (32.4 Gbps) |
HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps) |
|
1440p max refresh |
240 Hz (DP 1.4) |
240 Hz (HDMI 2.1) |
|
4K max refresh |
144 Hz with DSC (DP 1.4), 240 Hz (DP 2.1) |
120 Hz, or 144 Hz on some displays (HDMI 2.1) |
|
8K support |
Yes, with DSC |
Yes, at 60 Hz |
|
NVIDIA G-Sync |
Full support |
G-Sync Compatible on HDMI 2.1 displays only |
|
AMD FreeSync |
Yes |
Yes |
|
HDMI Forum VRR |
No |
Yes (HDMI 2.1) |
|
Audio return (ARC/eARC) |
No |
Yes |
|
Locking plug |
Yes, full-size plug has latches |
No |
|
Multiple monitors from one port |
Yes, with MST daisy-chaining |
No |
|
Found on |
Gaming monitors, graphics cards, laptops |
TVs, consoles, monitors, laptops, projectors |
|
Consoles |
Not supported |
PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch |
|
Passive cable length at full speed |
About 3 m (DP 1.4), 1 to 2 m (DP 2.1) |
About 3 to 5 m (HDMI 2.1) |
HDMI or DisplayPort for Gaming: What Matters Most
Specs on a box can be confusing, so focus on what you'll actually feel while playing. The DP vs HDMI for gaming choice comes down to four things: how much data the cable carries, how fast your screen refreshes, how sound gets out, and how long the cable runs. Here's each one explained.
Bandwidth and Resolution
Bandwidth decides how many pixels and frames reach your screen each second. More bandwidth means higher resolution at a higher refresh rate. DisplayPort 1.4 tops out at 32.4 Gbps.
To show 4K at 144 Hz, it uses Display Stream Compression (DSC), which shrinks the signal without a loss you can see. Most gamers will never notice DSC is even switched on. HDMI 2.1 carries 48 Gbps, so it can run 4K at 120 Hz without compression.
DisplayPort 2.1 goes even further, up to 80 Gbps, and is now on newer AMD graphics cards and NVIDIA's RTX 50 series. Learning about the DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth tells you what that extra headroom unlocks.
The cable matters too. A DisplayPort cable vs. an HDMI cable isn't just about the plug. An old HDMI 1.4 cable won't carry 4K at 120 Hz, even if your TV and console both support it. Check the cable's rating, such as "Ultra High Speed" for HDMI 2.1 or "DP80" for DisplayPort 2.1.
Certified cables are tested to carry their full speed, so you get what the label promises. Cheap, unrated cables often cause flickering, black screens, or a refresh rate that quietly drops back to 60 Hz.
Refresh Rate and Variable Refresh (G-Sync / FreeSync)
Refresh rate is how many times the screen redraws each second. A 144 Hz or 240 Hz monitor makes fast games look smooth and feel more responsive. Shooters, racing games, and fighting games benefit the most, since every frame counts when you react quickly.
On many monitors, the DisplayPort input supports a higher refresh rate than the HDMI input, especially on models with HDMI 2.0. Variable refresh rate stops screen tearing by syncing the monitor to your graphics card. AMD FreeSync works over both cables.
NVIDIA G-Sync has always worked over DisplayPort, but over HDMI it only works on HDMI 2.1 displays marked "G-Sync Compatible." If you're deciding between DP or HDMI for gaming on an NVIDIA card with a G-Sync monitor, DisplayPort is the safer bet.
Consoles work a little differently. The PS5 and Xbox Series X use HDMI Forum VRR, which only runs over HDMI 2.1. That's one reason console players stick with HDMI. Both consoles also support ALLM, which switches a TV into game mode on its own to cut input lag.
Audio and eARC
Both cables carry digital audio, so your monitor speakers or headphone jack will work either way. The big difference is ARC and eARC. These HDMI features let a TV send sound back out to a soundbar or receiver through the same port.
eARC passes lossless formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. DisplayPort has no audio return channel. On a PC with a monitor, that rarely matters, since most gamers use a headset or USB speakers. In a living room with a TV and soundbar, HDMI wins easily.
If you're still running an older setup, our guide on HDMI 1.4 vs. 2.0 explains which audio formats each version supports.
Cable Length and Build Quality
Long cables lose signal, and high-speed signals lose it faster. A passive DisplayPort 1.4 cable works well up to about 3 meters at full speed. DisplayPort 2.1 cables at 80 Gbps are often only 1 to 2 meters long.
HDMI 2.1 cables usually run 3 to 5 meters at full speed. Past that, you'll need an active or fiber-optic cable. Our post on video cable distance limits shows how far each type can go. Build quality is the other half of the DP cable vs HDMI match-up.
DisplayPort's locking latches stop a heavy cable from slipping out of your graphics card. HDMI has no lock, so a tight bend behind a TV can loosen it over time. Look for certified cables with thick shielding and solid strain relief at both ends. Braided jackets also hold up better if you move your setup often or take it to LAN parties.
Is DisplayPort Better for Gaming on PC or Console?
The answer depends on what you're plugging in. PC gamers with high-refresh monitors usually get the most out of DisplayPort. Console gamers and anyone gaming on a TV need HDMI. The two lists below show which situations favor each cable, so you can pick the right one for your setup.
When to Choose DisplayPort
DisplayPort shines on gaming PCs connected to fast monitors. Most graphics cards have three DisplayPort outputs and only one HDMI, so it's often the main port anyway. These are the setups where DisplayPort is the better choice.
- You play on a 144 Hz, 240 Hz, or faster monitor connected to a gaming PC.
- You use an NVIDIA graphics card with a G-Sync or G-Sync Compatible monitor.
- You run two or three monitors and want to daisy-chain them from one port.
- Your monitor's HDMI port is only HDMI 2.0 and caps refresh at 60 Hz in 4K.
- You want a latching plug that won't slip out of the graphics card.
When to Choose HDMI
HDMI is the universal choice for TVs and living-room gaming. Every current console uses it, and it's the only option on most TVs. It's also the easier cable to find in stores, and most people already have a spare one at home. It also carries sound to a soundbar with eARC. These are the setups where HDMI makes the most sense.
- You play on a PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or Nintendo Switch.
- You game on a TV with HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K at 120 Hz.
- You want sound to go from the TV to a soundbar through eARC.
- Your laptop or mini PC only has an HDMI output and no DisplayPort.
- You connect a PC to a TV in the living room for couch gaming.
Alternatives to HDMI Monitor Connection
You're not limited to two choices. USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode carries a full DisplayPort signal, plus power and data, on one cable. It's common on laptops and many newer monitors. Thunderbolt 4 and 5 do the same at even higher speeds.
DVI still works for older monitors, though dual-link DVI tops out around 1080p at 144 Hz and carries no sound. VGA is an older analog option that gives a softer, blurrier image, so it's best saved for backup use. Adapters can link one type to another, but they may limit refresh rate or drop features like VRR.
Level Up Your Setup With TS Cables
PC gamers with fast monitors should reach for DisplayPort, while console and TV players need HDMI. The DisplayPort vs. HDMI choice gets easy once you check your ports and refresh rate. Shop TS Cables for certified DisplayPort and HDMI cables built for smooth, lag-free gaming.
FAQs
Is DisplayPort better than HDMI?
For PC monitors, often yes, since it supports higher refresh rates and full G-Sync. For TVs and consoles, HDMI is better because those devices only use HDMI.
Which is better, DP or HDMI, for a 144 Hz monitor?
DisplayPort is usually better for 144 Hz monitors. Many monitors only reach 144 Hz over DisplayPort, while their HDMI 2.0 ports may cap out lower.
Which HDMI port is best for gaming on a TV?
Use the port labeled HDMI 2.1 or "4K 120Hz." Some TVs have only one or two 2.1 ports, so check the label before plugging in.
Should I Use DisplayPort or HDMI for a gaming PC?
Use DisplayPort if your monitor supports it, especially with an NVIDIA card. Use HDMI 2.1 if you're connecting the PC to a TV.
Does the cable type affect input lag?
No, both cables add almost no input lag. Lag comes from the monitor's processing and refresh rate, not from the cable itself.
Further Reading
Smooth gameplay also needs a fast, stable network link to go with your video cable. These TS Cables guides cover wired internet for gamers and the full range of monitor connectors:
