HDMI vs DisplayPort: Which Is Better for Gaming and 4K?

If you've ever shopped for a gaming monitor or tried to connect a PC to a display, you've almost certainly faced the same question: should I use HDMI or DisplayPort? Both cables carry high-definition video and audio over a single connection, but they're not interchangeable — and choosing the wrong one for your setup can mean missing out on higher frame rates, sharper resolution, or features that make a real difference in your gaming experience.

In this guide, we'll break down the key differences for HDMI vs DisplayPort, compare them head-to-head for gaming and 4K content, and help you figure out exactly which cable belongs in your setup.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the most universally recognised display connection standard in the world. Launched in 2002, it was designed to replace the tangle of separate audio and video cables with a single, unified connector — and it succeeded spectacularly. Today, HDMI ports are found on TVs, game consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X), Blu-ray players, soundbars, streaming sticks, projectors, and a huge range of monitors.

Not all HDMI cables are equal. The version of HDMI matters greatly for gaming and 4K content:

• HDMI 1.4 — Supports 4K at 30Hz. Fine for video, but too slow for smooth gaming.
• HDMI 2.0 — Supports 4K at 60Hz and 1080p at 120Hz. The minimum recommended for modern 4K setups.
• HDMI 2.1 — Supports 4K at 120Hz, 8K at 60Hz, and introduces Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC). Essential for next-gen console gaming and future-proofing.

For gaming in 2026, HDMI 2.1 is the standard to aim for. The Maplin HDMI 2.1 8K Braided Cable with Ethernet supports resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz, with full support for VRR and eARC — making it ideal for PS5, Xbox Series X, and high-end PC gaming rigs connected to a TV or large display.

If you're working with a slightly older setup and need reliable 4K at 60Hz, the Maplin HDMI 2.0 4K Braided Cable is a solid, more affordable option.

• Universal compatibility — Every modern TV and game console uses HDMI. It's the default for living room gaming.
• Audio support — HDMI carries multi-channel audio, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X, making it the go-to for home cinema setups.
• ARC/eARC — Allows your TV to send audio back to a soundbar through the same HDMI cable, eliminating the need for a separate audio connection.
• Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) — Lets compatible devices control each other (e.g., your TV remote turning on your console).
• Long cable runs — HDMI cables are available in lengths up to 15m and beyond, useful for larger rooms.

DisplayPort is a display interface developed by VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) and launched in 2006. Unlike HDMI — which was designed primarily for consumer electronics — DisplayPort was built from the ground up for computers and high-performance displays. You'll find it on graphics cards (GPU), gaming monitors, and professional workstations, though it's rarely found on TVs or game consoles.

• DisplayPort 1.2 — Supports 4K at 60Hz and introduced multi-monitor daisy-chaining.
• DisplayPort 1.4 — Supports 4K at 120Hz, 8K at 60Hz (with Display Stream Compression), and HDR. The current workhorse for PC gaming.
• DisplayPort 2.0 / 2.1 — Supports up to 16K resolution and is beginning to appear on the latest monitors and graphics cards.

• Higher bandwidth — DisplayPort 1.4 offers up to 32.4 Gbps of bandwidth, giving it an edge for high refresh rate and high resolution combinations on PC.
• Adaptive Sync — DisplayPort natively supports AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync for tear-free gaming, with no licensing fees — one reason it's been adopted so widely in the gaming monitor market.
• Daisy-chaining — DisplayPort supports connecting multiple monitors in a chain from a single port, ideal for multi-monitor productivity or gaming setups.
• No licensing fees — DisplayPort is an open standard, which tends to keep cable prices competitive and speeds up adoption.

Browse the full Maplin DisplayPort Cable range to find the right cable for your monitor and GPU. For a straight DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort connection, the Maplin Premium 4K DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable is a reliable, nickel-plated choice for 4K PC gaming.

The answer depends on what kind of gaming setup you have.

If you're gaming on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, the decision is made for you — both consoles only have HDMI ports. HDMI 2.1 on both consoles supports 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM (which automatically switches your TV to its lowest latency game mode). For the best console gaming experience, pair your console with a quality HDMI 2.1 cable and a TV or monitor that supports HDMI 2.1.

The Maplin HDMI 2.1 8K Braided Cable is built for exactly this — handling 4K at 120Hz with full VRR support for tear-free gaming on PS5 and Xbox. For very long living room cable runs, the Maplin Pro HDMI 2.1 Fibre Optical Cable delivers signal integrity over extended distances without quality loss.

For PC gaming, DisplayPort is generally the preferred choice among enthusiasts, for several reasons:

• Most gaming monitors with high refresh rates (144Hz, 240Hz, and beyond) deliver their full capabilities over DisplayPort.
• DisplayPort 1.4 supports 1440p at 240Hz and 4K at 144Hz (with DSC), which many HDMI 2.0 ports on older graphics cards cannot match.
• Adaptive Sync (FreeSync/G-Sync) is natively supported on DisplayPort, though HDMI now also supports these technologies on many monitors.
• If you want to run multiple monitors from one GPU output using daisy-chaining, DisplayPort is the only option.

That said, HDMI 2.1 on modern Nvidia and AMD graphics cards has largely closed the performance gap. If your GPU and monitor both have HDMI 2.1, it's a perfectly capable choice for PC gaming too.

For competitive gamers chasing maximum frame rates at 1080p or 1440p, DisplayPort 1.4 is typically the safer choice to ensure you're hitting the full advertised refresh rate of your monitor. Check your monitor's specifications — many high-refresh-rate displays only support their maximum refresh rate over DisplayPort, with HDMI capped lower.

For watching 4K films, streaming, and HDR content, HDMI is the stronger all-round choice:

• HDMI 2.1's 48 Gbps bandwidth exceeds DisplayPort 1.4's 32.4 Gbps, giving it more headroom for uncompressed 4K and 8K content.
• HDMI's eARC passes lossless audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to a soundbar or AV receiver — DisplayPort does not support ARC or eARC.
• All 4K TVs use HDMI. DisplayPort is almost never found on televisions.

For a home cinema or TV-centric 4K setup, HDMI is the clear winner. Shop the full Maplin HDMI Cable range for every length and specification.

Many modern laptops — including MacBooks, Dell XPS, and Surface devices — no longer include full-size HDMI or DisplayPort ports. Instead, they rely on USB-C (Thunderbolt) connections that can output video via adapters.

If your laptop has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode, you can connect it to a monitor using:

• Maplin USB-C to DisplayPort 4K Cable — ideal for connecting a USB-C laptop to a DisplayPort monitor at 4K 60Hz.
• Maplin 8K USB-C to DisplayPort V1.4 Cable — for future-proofed 8K-ready connections with gold connectors for signal reliability.

If you need to connect to an HDMI display or TV from a USB-C device, the Maplin HDMI to DisplayPort Cable range and adapter options have you covered too.

Yes — HDMI and DisplayPort are not directly compatible. You'll need an active adapter or conversion cable to connect them. This is a common need when, for example, your GPU has only DisplayPort outputs but your monitor has only HDMI, or vice versa.

The Maplin DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter lets you connect a DisplayPort output (from a PC or laptop) to an HDMI-only display quickly and without additional software or drivers. The Maplin Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable is similarly handy for Apple computers and older laptops with Mini DisplayPort outputs.

Browse the full Maplin DisplayPort Adapters range for the right conversion solution for your setup.

Use HDMI if you are:

• Gaming on a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S
• Connecting to a TV for 4K content or home cinema
• Using a soundbar and need eARC audio passthrough
• Running a long cable across a room
• Connecting a streaming device, Sky box, or Blu-ray player

👉 Shop Maplin HDMI Cables

Use DisplayPort if you are:

• Gaming on PC with a dedicated graphics card
• Using a high refresh rate gaming monitor (144Hz, 240Hz+)
• Running multiple monitors in a daisy-chain configuration
• A creative professional needing maximum colour accuracy and bandwidth
• Using a monitor that only supports Adaptive Sync over DisplayPort

👉 Shop Maplin DisplayPort Cables

Use USB-C to DisplayPort/HDMI if you are:

• Using a modern laptop without dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort outputs
• Connecting a MacBook, Dell XPS, or Surface to an external monitor

👉 Shop Maplin USB-C to DisplayPort Cables

Whether you're setting up a high-performance gaming rig, a 4K home cinema, or a multi-monitor workstation, Maplin has the cables and adapters you need:

• 🎮 HDMI Cables & Adapters — from budget 4K to high-speed HDMI 2.1
• 🖥️ DisplayPort Cables — for PC gaming monitors and professional displays
• 🔌 DisplayPort Adapters — convert between DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, and DVI
• 💻 USB-C to DisplayPort Cables — for modern laptops with USB-C/Thunderbolt ports
• 🖥️ Monitor Cables — browse the full range for every display connection type

For more expert advice on cables and connectivity, visit the Maplin Expert Advice Blog.

Is DisplayPort better than HDMI for gaming?
For PC gaming, DisplayPort 1.4 is generally preferred because it supports the highest refresh rates and natively enables Adaptive Sync (FreeSync/G-Sync). For console gaming, HDMI is the only option and HDMI 2.1 performs excellently at 4K/120Hz.

Can I use HDMI 2.1 for PC gaming?
Yes. HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at 120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate, which is excellent for PC gaming. If your GPU and monitor both have HDMI 2.1, it's a capable alternative to DisplayPort for most gaming scenarios.

Does DisplayPort support audio?
Yes, DisplayPort supports multi-channel audio transmission alongside video. However, it does not support ARC or eARC, so it cannot send audio from a TV back to a soundbar.

What's the difference between DisplayPort 1.2 and 1.4?
DisplayPort 1.4 significantly increases bandwidth and adds support for HDR, Display Stream Compression (DSC), and higher refresh rates at 4K and 8K resolutions. For gaming in 2026, DisplayPort 1.4 is the recommended minimum.

Can I connect HDMI to DisplayPort directly?
No — HDMI and DisplayPort use different signalling, so a direct connection isn't possible. You need an active adapter or a conversion cable. Maplin stocks a range of DisplayPort to HDMI adapters for exactly this purpose.

Which is better for a 144Hz monitor: HDMI or DisplayPort?
At 1080p and 1440p, DisplayPort 1.4 is the safer choice to guarantee the full 144Hz (or higher) refresh rate. Many monitors cap HDMI at lower refresh rates than DisplayPort, so always check your monitor's specifications before buying.

What cable do I need for 4K at 120Hz?
You need either an HDMI 2.1 cable or a DisplayPort 1.4 cable. Both support 4K at 120Hz, but HDMI 2.1 is required for consoles, while DisplayPort 1.4 is more commonly used on PC gaming monitors.