Displayport gaming monitor: Computer parts, laptops, electronics, and more

Which Is Best for Gaming?

HDMI and DisplayPort have become two of the most popular connectors for linking your display to your PC. Both technologies have continued to evolve throughout the years, providing high bandwidth transfers at sub-millisecond latencies.

The newer versions of HDMI and DisplayPort have become so advanced that most consumers won’t even use them at their maximum capacity. However, if you’re a gamer whose aim is for the best possible gaming experience, choosing the right connector is absolutely necessary. Let’s dive in.

What Is HDMI?

To answer which connector is best suited for gaming, it is important that you first understand what both connectors have got to offer. Let’s start with HDMI since it’s the first to come out of the market.

HDMI, or High Definition Multimedia Interface, is a popular all-around connector used for media consumption, productivity, and gaming. HDMI connectors are composed of 19 pins capable of transmitting video, audio, and Ethernet data.

Image Credit: Mobius/Wikimedia Commons

There are five types of HDMI connectors, but since we’re mainly talking about gaming, we will focus on the standard Type-A HDMI.

Since HDMI has been in the market since 2003, it has undergone many updates, making HDMI faster and better each time. To know which version of HDMI suites your needs, here is a table of the latest versions and their capabilities (up to May 2022):

Aside from types and variations of connectors, HDMI also has four different cables, which significantly differ in performance and features. These cables would be:

• Standard HDMI Cable-Most basic cable type, suitable for 1080i gaming.
• Standard HDMI plus Ethernet-A capable 1080i gaming cable with Ethernet support.
• High-Speed HDMI Cable-Supports higher resolutions besides 1080p.
• High-Speed HDMI Cable plus Ethernet-Capable high-resolution gaming cable with Ethernet support.

HDMI with high-speed cables are capable gaming connectors. They support AMD’s FreeSync technology, capable of 1080p to 10K gaming (if supported), and provide a high-speed 100Mbps Ethernet connection for downloading games and easy cable management.

Some of the biggest downsides to using HDMI for gaming are its lack of G-Sync support, lower performances for cables more than two meters, and the lack of multi-monitor support.

Note that gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 only support HDMI. So this comparison only really applies to PC gamers.

What Is DisplayPort?

DisplayPort is yet another popular connector primarily used in PCs. DisplayPort looks like an HDMI but with locking mechanisms and a 20-pin connector that can transmit both video and audio.

Image Credit: Woookie/Wikimedia Commons

There are two types of DisplayPort: Standard DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort. DisplayPort has also been in the market for over a decade now, which is why it has several variations. Here is a table of the most recent ones (up to May 2022):

DisplayPort is currently the most popular gaming connector in the market. It offers support for both G-Sync and FreeSync, support for 240Hz gaming at lower resolutions, 4K HDR gaming at 144 Hz, and support for multi-monitor setup.

Which Connector Is Best for Gaming?

As you can see, both DisplayPort and HDMI are capable connectors suitable for gaming. But if you’re playing popular FPS titles at higher resolutions, having the right connector will save you from any performance loss.

So, which connector is best suited for gaming? Without a doubt, it’s the DisplayPort!

DisplayPort is the best gaming connector in the market because of its optimized versatility aimed at gamers. Its support for both FreeSync and G-Sync allows a wide variety of gamers to enjoy adaptive sync technology. If your gaming rig uses NVIDIA graphics, then you really don’t have an option: either use DisplayPort or have a cable bottleneck.

DisplayPort’s support for multi-screen monitors is also a big plus for many gaming rigs that double as personal workstations. As a multi-monitor setup helps with productivity and streaming, and can be a separate monitor to chat with friends, play music, peek at user profiles, and look up game guides online.

Get the Best Gaming Experience With DisplayPort

Now that you know why DisplayPort is the best gaming connector, keep in mind that changing your cables from HDMI to DisplayPort doesn’t necessarily mean better gaming performance. Cables and connectors cannot add performance that your current PC build doesn’t already have.

But if you do have a capable gaming rig, then hopefully, this article convinces you to switch to DisplayPort and enjoy all the performance your gaming rig can provide.

DisplayPort vs HDMI | PC Gamer

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Kameleon007 / Getty)

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.

Sign up to get the best content of the week, and great gaming deals, as picked by the editors.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

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.

Armada 25 FHD

Gaming Monitor

Armada 25″ FHD Gaming Monitor

• Introduction
• Reviews
• Features
• Specifications

Buy

The

HyperX Armada Gaming Monitors are the first gaming monitors to include an ergonomic arm that comes with the monitor.

Save yourself the hassle of looking for a compatible desktop mount and spend that time dominating your game with Armada’s 25,240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. This kind of quick reaction is made for shooters and competitive games, where split seconds can change the balance between victory and defeat. When you have more time to fully enjoy the scenery, you’ll get Full HD resolution with vibrant colors. Enhance your gaming experience even further with NVIDIA® G-SYNC®4 technology that eliminates screen tearing, stuttering and input lag.

Benefit from the versatility and versatility of the HyperX Armada 25 gaming monitor with an ergonomic mounting that creates space on your desktop.

• All-in-one package: desktop mount included
• 24.5″ Full HD (1920×1080) IPS gaming monitor
• Focused on performance for competitive players
• refresh rate 240Hz
• response time 1 ms.
• NVIDIA® G-SYNC® Technology

All-in-One Package: Desk Mount Kit

Don’t waste days looking for a compatible mount! Armada takes care of that with a sturdy, ergonomic arm and desktop mount. Just slide it in from the back and lift up the monitor to free up desk space!

240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time

High 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time provide smoother and faster image display, which can give you an edge over the competition.

24.5-inch 1920×1080 IPS panel

Enjoy stunning Full HD picture quality with vivid and accurate colors. The IPS panel looks good even at wide angles, making it ideal for a multi-monitor setup.

Compatible with NVIDIA® G-SYNC®

Eliminate annoying screen tearing and reduce stuttering and input lag with NVIDIA® G-SYNC® and its variable refresh rate.

Panel size

Display type

Viewing angle

Resolution

Maximum refresh rate

Display features

Refresh rate range

Contrast ratio

Brightness

Compatibility

• Specifications

Display Armada 25 FHD
Display type	IPS
Viewing angle	178°
Approval	FHD (1920 x 1080)
Maximum update rate	240 Hz
Display features	NVIDIA G-SYNC™; Matt surface finish
Contrast	1000:1
Brightness	400
Input connectors	HDMI 2. 0 — 2 pcs.; DisplayPort™ 1.4 x 1
Dimensions	557.4 x 61.2 x 330.2 mm
Weight	2.9 kg.
Compatible	PC, PlayStation, Xbox X|S, Nintendo Switch
Monitor mount
VESA Mount	100 x 100 mm.
Permissible display weight	≤ 9.1 kg. on bracket
Permissible display diagonal	up to 32″
Hinge Angle	–25° ≈ +60°
Angle of joint rotation	±90°
Angle of joint	±90°
Bracket rotation angle	±180°
Allowable bracket height adjustments	312±5 mm.
Allowable column height adjustments	255 mm.
Worktop thickness	15 — 50 mm.
Bracket assembly dimensions	547 x447 x 130 mm.
Weight	4.8 kg.
What’s in the box	Gaming Monitor, Monitor Arm, Quick Start Guide, Red HyperX DisplayPort 1.4 Cable x 1, Black HDMI 2.0 Cable x 1, Power Cord x 1, VESA Mount Bracket x 1, Mounting Bracket Screws x 4 ., VESA screws for monitor x 4, mounting plates x 2, 1 pc. bush fixing screw, 2 hex keys
vendor code
HyperX Armada 25 FHD	64V62AA

• home

• HyperX gaming monitors

• Armada 25 FHD

DP, HDMI, USB-C Alt-Mode & cables… / Sudo Null IT News

Lydybr: I recently upgraded myself a bit and got a 4k@144Hz monitor. Of course , at 144Hz it did not work with half a kick. And with a bunch of laptops and USB-C cables, too. Because is the nuance of . I had to dive deeper into this than I would have liked…
My old graphics card on the computer managed to get it running at 4k @ 60Hz using Display Port. (Either 2k @ 144Hz). I tried plugging a laptop into the monitor (all 5 pieces that I and my friends found) and found that everything was so complicated that it took me several visits to read the specification until I «started it». I write down my observations and experiments. Relevance — the first half of 2022. Monitor under study: Gigabyte M32U, although, in principle, this is not essential for the issue under discussion. The monitor has HDMI, DisplayPort (2 pcs), USB-C connectors. Despite the fact that with the desktop my problem was solved «just by updating the hardware», I decided to deal with the problem deeper in order to know.

I will analyze the problem in layers. Let’s start with physics and cables.

Physics

4k (3840×2160) at 144Hz at a depth of 1 byte per color (24 bits per pixel) requires a minimum of 28665446400 bps ( 3840*2160*3*8*144 ), i.e. about 30 gigabit/ s, and that’s not counting the overhead of encoding (either 8/10 or 128/130), audio stream, USB for connecting peripherals, etc. Any cables that run less will not work for us. More precisely, if we compress the transmitted signal, we can «crawl» into 20Gbps, but our first guess: 20 Gbps is not enough. About compression — see the section at the end.
Since the situation is very bad, we will also consider 120Hz as acceptable instead of 144Hz, that is, 23 Gbps.

What cables can give us so much (we don’t look at protocols)

Cables

• HDMI 2.0 cable gives 18.0 Gbit/s. Such a cable cannot exceed 90 Hz. Cable names (that don’t work): Standard HDMI Cable , High Speed ​​HDMI , Premium High Speed ​​HDMI

• HDMI 2. 1 has a subset of cables codenamed Ultra High Speed ​​HDMI Cable ( UHS ) that are capable of 48 Gbit/s. Other names are Category 3 HDMI, HDMI 8k, HDMI 48G.

• Old generation Display Port cables: RBR (reduced bit rate) , HBR, HBR2 (High Bitrate) . Other names: Standard DisplayPort Cable , Full HD.

• High Bitrate 3 ( HBR3 ) is capable of 32.4 Gbit/s. Up to 120Hz. (144Hz in compression mode). Other names: DP4k .

• UHBR 10, 13.5 and 20 (Ultra High Bit Rate) Came with display port 2.0. Gives 40-80 Gbit / s. Our native 144Hz without frills. Alternative name: DP8k.

• USB-C cable USB3 — not even close.

• USB-C cable USB4. A bunch of cables of different speeds, all (except what doesn’t fit below) USB4 Gen 2×1 , USB4 Gen 2×2 (?) , USB4 Gen 3×1 .

• USB-C cable USB4 Gen 3×2 . It has 40 Gbps. Please note that all other USB4 cables will not work (I’m not sure about USB4 Gen 2×2, it’s only 20Gbps, which may be enough for 120Hz with compression)

• 40Gbit/s should work, but…I don’t know if it works or not. TB3 itself promises DP 1.2 which is just «(3840×2160) at 120 Hz». Tolerable.

• Thunderbolt 4 cable definitely works because 40Gbit/s, and there is DP 2.0 as standard.

 Section "Device"
    Identifier "Device0"
    Driver "nvidia"
    VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
    Option "ModeValidation" "AllowNonEdidModes,NoDisplayPortBandwidthCheck,NoVirtualSizeCheck,NoMaxPClkCheck,NoHorizSyncCheck,NoVertRefreshCheck,NoWidthAlignmentCheck"
EndSection
 

 xrandr --setmonitor chimera auto HDMI-0,DP-1 

 xrandr --newmode "1920x2160x75" 335.7 1920 1928 1960 2000 2160 2224 2232 2238 +HSync -VSync
xrandr --output DP-1 --mode 1920x2160x75
xrandr --output HDMI-0 --mode 1920x2160x75 

 Option "ColorSpace" "YCbCr444"