HDMI vs DisplayPort Explained: Which One Should You Use?

When you’re shopping for monitors online, do you ever notice the different version numbers next to HDMI and DisplayPort? What do these numbers refer to? Well, let’s go over some of the differences and similarities of both interfaces.

HDMI vs DisplayPort

Both HDMI and DisplayPort are used to identify the method of video signal transmission from a media device to a display device as well as identifying the type of cable used to connect the device to the display. HDMI technology, or High-Definition Multimedia Interface, was developed by the HDMI Licensing Administrator Inc. in 2002 and is used for connecting a plethora of home devices such as TVs, streaming boxes, consoles, and media players.

DisplayPort was introduced by VESA in 2006 as a standard for display connectivity and is more commonly found on monitors and graphic cards. Although all HDMI and DisplayPort connectors and cables are backwards compatible, your maximum supported resolution and refresh rate will be limited based on the oldest version of HDMI or DisplayPort connector or cable in your setup. 

Which version should you choose?

As technology evolves over time, these ports and cables are updated to newer versions and in denominations of a or b, signifying the update in feature sets and capabilities. 

If you’re a console gamer, having a TV or monitor, such as the GIGABYTE MO32U or MO27Q2, that supports HDMI 2.1 will be crucial for an optimal gaming experience as both the PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X natively support HDMI 2.1 in order to activate VRR for a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR mode. On the flip side, if you’re a PC gamer, you should look for a monitor that supports HDMI 2.0 at minimum if you’re looking to play esports titles at a competitive refresh rate. But if you’re looking to be immersed in open world adventures at 4K and don’t want to be limited to 60Hz, it’s recommended to step up to HDMI 2.1 for smoother gameplay. HDMI 2.1 offers increased bandwidth to support higher refresh rates at higher resolution and adds Dynamic HDR support.  

On gaming monitors, DisplayPort 1.4 is seen as the standard across 1080p (FHD), 1440p (QHD), and 4K (UHD) gaming, supporting up to a refresh rate of 360 Hz at 1080p and 1440p resolutions or 240Hz at 4K resolution. Both HDMI and DisplayPort connectors can be versatile depending on which resolution and refresh rate you are using your monitor.