HDMI 2.1 vs DisplayPort (DP 1.4 / 2.1): Which Is Better for Gaming?

You just built a new rig with an RTX 4070 / 4080 / 4090 (or an AMD RX 7900 XT), bought a 4K 144Hz or QD-OLED gaming monitor, and now you’re staring at the back of your PC: which cable do you plug in?

Most modern graphics cards and gaming monitors give you both an HDMI 2.1 port and one or more DisplayPort (DP 1.4 / 2.1) ports. The cable you choose determines whether you actually hit 4K@144Hz, 8K@60Hz, VRR / G-Sync / FreeSync, or whether you’re stuck at 60Hz with tearing and input lag.

This guide breaks down HDMI 2.1 vs DisplayPort — bandwidth, resolution/refresh support, adaptive sync, multi-monitor, and which one to use for PC gaming, consoles, and laptops.

HDMI 2.1: The Console-Friendly Standard

• Bandwidth: 48Gbps (Ultra High Speed HDMI cable)

• Max video: 4K@120Hz, 8K@60Hz, 10K@120Hz with DSC

• Adaptive sync: VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) — works with PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and some PC monitors

• Other features: ALLM (auto low-latency mode), QFT (quick frame transport), QMS, eARC

• Used by: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, most TVs, laptops, and increasingly PC monitors

• Connector: Small, reversible-ish HDMI Type A plug

DisplayPort 1.4 / 2.1: The PC Gaming Standard

• DP 1.4 bandwidth: 32.4Gbps (HBR3), up to 4K@144Hz 8-bit or 4K@120Hz 10-bit with DSC

• DP 2.1 bandwidth: 80Gbps (UHBR20) — roughly 2x HDMI 2.1

• Max video (DP 1.4): 4K@144Hz, 8K@60Hz with DSC

• Max video (DP 2.1): 4K@240Hz, 8K@120Hz, 16K@60Hz

• Adaptive sync: G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync / Adaptive Sync (AMD) — mature, low-latency, broad monitor support

• Other features: MST (multi-stream transport for daisy-chained monitors), DSC, DP Alt Mode over USB-C

• Used by: NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards, most PC gaming monitors, Dell/Lenovo/HP monitors

HDMI 2.1 vs DisplayPort: Bandwidth at a Glance

Setup	Best Connection	Why
1080p / 144Hz monitor	DP 1.4 or HDMI 2.0	Both easily deliver this; G-Sync/FreeSync works over DP
1440p / 144Hz or 165Hz	DP 1.4	Native G-Sync/FreeSync, best PC experience
1440p / 240Hz	DP 1.4 (DSC) or DP 2.1	DP 2.1 gives native bandwidth
4K / 120Hz (PC)	HDMI 2.1 or DP 1.4	Both deliver; DP 1.4 with DSC, HDMI 2.1 native
4K / 144Hz / 160Hz	DP 1.4 (DSC) or DP 2.1	DP is more mature for 4K high refresh PC
4K / 240Hz QD-OLED	DP 2.1 preferred	HDMI 2.1 can do it with DSC; DP 2.1 is native
8K / 60Hz	HDMI 2.1 or DP 1.4 (DSC)	Both work; check monitor spec
PS5 / Xbox Series X	HDMI 2.1 only	Consoles have no DisplayPort output
Laptop / USB-C	USB-C DP Alt Mode	Uses a DP signal over USB-C
Multi-monitor daisy chain	DisplayPort (MST)	HDMI has no equivalent

Device	Best Cable	Notes
Desktop PC + NVIDIA GPU + G-Sync monitor	DisplayPort 1.4	Native G-Sync, broad compatibility
Desktop PC + AMD GPU + FreeSync monitor	DisplayPort 1.4	FreeSync works best over DP
PS5 / Xbox Series X + 4K TV	HDMI 2.1 (Ultra High Speed)	Only console output; VRR + 4K120
Laptop (USB-C) to monitor	USB-C to DP / HDMI adapter	DP Alt Mode
MacBook / MacBook Pro	USB-C / Thunderbolt to DP	DP Alt Mode over USB-C
Home theater TV + AV receiver	HDMI 2.1 + eARC	Audio return channel required
Multi-monitor (2+ daisy chain)	DisplayPort MST	HDMI cannot daisy-chain

For PC gaming, DisplayPort 1.4 is usually the better choice — it natively supports G-Sync / FreeSync, MST daisy-chaining, and 4K@144Hz with DSC. HDMI 2.1 is required for PS5 / Xbox Series X and is increasingly popular on 4K OLED monitors.

If your monitor supports it, use DisplayPort 1.4 for PC gaming (G-Sync, high refresh). Use HDMI 2.1 for connecting a 4K TV or a PS5 / Xbox.

Yes, with an Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 certified cable and a compatible monitor. Some 4K@144Hz panels require DSC over HDMI 2.1, while DisplayPort 1.4 does it natively.

For 1080p / 1440p / 144Hz monitors, DisplayPort is the default — G-Sync and FreeSync are most mature over DP. HDMI 2.1 also supports 144Hz on newer monitors.

Use a DP 1.4 certified cable for 4K@144Hz / 1440p@240Hz. For DP 2.1, look for UHBR20 certified cables. Cheap unmarked cables often fail at high bandwidth.

Yes — most graphics cards have multiple outputs. You can connect one monitor over DP and a TV over HDMI simultaneously, or drive a multi-monitor setup.