Why It’s Time to Say Goodbye to DisplayPort Cables

2025-02-20

For PC gamers, it’s no secret that cables are an essential part of the gaming experience. Over the years, we’ve seen numerous display connection standards come and go. But if you’re still clinging to DisplayPort, it might be time to reconsider. With the rise of HDMI 2.2, DisplayPort cables are becoming increasingly irrelevant. Here’s why it’s time for them to retire.

For decades, DisplayPort has been the go-to connection standard for PC gaming, offering excellent support for high resolutions and refresh rates. But now, with HDMI 2.2 pushing the boundaries of display technology, the need for DisplayPort is no longer as urgent as it once was. Though the DisplayPort interface still plays a crucial role in high-performance setups, the physical connector itself is starting to look obsolete in the face of modern alternatives like USB-C.

While it’s true that DisplayPort has provided a reliable and high-quality connection for gamers, HDMI 2.2 has bridged the gap in terms of bandwidth, offering support for 16K resolutions and impressive 96Gbps speeds—surpassing DisplayPort 2.1’s 80Gbps bandwidth. So why do GPUs continue to come with multiple DisplayPort outputs, when HDMI now does everything and more?

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It’s clear that DisplayPort was once the king of the hill when it came to PC gaming connectivity. For years, it outshone HDMI with superior performance, especially in high-end gaming setups. It offered unmatched resolution and refresh rate support, and the physical design of the connector made it a user-friendly choice compared to VGA and DVI, both of which featured clunkier designs.

However, that was before HDMI 2.2 arrived. With the advent of HDMI 2.2, the battle between the two standards has become a lot less one-sided. HDMI now supports everything that DisplayPort once held exclusive—if not superior—control over. Not only does HDMI 2.2 offer higher bandwidth at 96Gbps (compared to DisplayPort 2.1’s 80Gbps), but it also supports high resolutions, including up to 16K.

Furthermore, HDMI is now widely supported across a variety of devices beyond just gaming monitors, including TVs, projectors, and even laptops. USB-C, leveraging the DisplayPort protocol, is also gaining traction, making it the go-to option for many modern devices. Many GPUs still feature multiple DisplayPort connectors, but for what? The single HDMI port that comes with every new graphics card can now handle 4K gaming, high refresh rates, and even 8K displays, making the multiple DisplayPort ports seem redundant.

It’s not about whether DisplayPort’s protocol is inferior—it’s not. But the physical connector itself is becoming less necessary, especially when you have HDMI and USB-C performing the same function, with broader compatibility and increasingly powerful performance.

Moreover, HDMI has the added advantage of being more user-friendly in terms of compatibility. HDMI ports are found in nearly all modern displays, from monitors to TVs, meaning that gamers no longer need to worry about whether their display supports DisplayPort. And with HDMI 2.2’s performance capabilities, it’s clear that HDMI can hold its ground against the previously dominant DisplayPort without sacrificing anything in terms of quality.

The shift toward HDMI and USB-C makes even more sense in the context of the larger trend toward universal connectivity. USB-C has become a universal standard for charging, data transfer, and display output. With USB-C becoming more common on gaming monitors and laptops, it’s clear that DisplayPort’s proprietary connector doesn’t fit well into the modern ecosystem, where simplicity and broad compatibility are key.

Finally, there’s the issue of cost and consumer convenience. DisplayPort cables are often more expensive than their HDMI counterparts, and the industry seems to be moving toward simplifying the connection options available to consumers. HDMI’s versatility, wide availability, and future-proofing with the latest versions of the standard (HDMI 2.2, for example) make it a more attractive option.

In conclusion, while DisplayPort will undoubtedly continue to play an important role in certain high-end setups, it’s time for the physical connector to phase out. HDMI and USB-C are leading the way in terms of connectivity, offering broader compatibility, superior performance, and ease of use. As the display tech landscape evolves, the time has come to say goodbye to DisplayPort cables—at least in their current form.

References:

Reported By: https://www.techradar.com/computing/monitors/listen-up-pc-gamers-its-time-for-displayport-cables-to-die-sorry-not-sorry
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