DisplayPort and HDMI are essential digital interfaces for PC gaming, each offering unique advantages. Here's a comprehensive comparison of DisplayPort 2.1 vs. HDMI 2.1.

DisplayPort Overview:

• Developed by VESA
• 20-pin design with locking mechanism
• Supports video, audio, and data transmission
• Latest version: DisplayPort 2.1
• Includes Mini DisplayPort variant and USB-C compatibility via Alt Mode

HDMI Overview:

• Widely adopted interface (10+ billion devices)
• Combines audio and video in one cable
• Available in Type A (Standard), Type C (Mini), and Type D (Micro)
• Latest version: HDMI 2.1

Key Comparison Factors:

1. Bandwidth and Resolution

• DisplayPort 2.1: Supports up to 16K resolution with compression
• HDMI 2.1: Supports up to 10K resolution
• Current limitation: Limited GPU support for DisplayPort 2.0/2.1

2. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

• DisplayPort: Supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC
• HDMI: Supports FreeSync only
• Advantage: DisplayPort for NVIDIA users

3. Multi-Stream Transport (MST)

• DisplayPort: Native support for daisy-chaining multiple displays
• HDMI: No native MST support
• Capability: Up to 60+ displays with DisplayPort

4. Latency

• Both interfaces offer similar latency (0.01ms)
• Performance affected by cable quality and length

Current Verdict: DisplayPort 2.1 offers superior technical capabilities but lacks widespread GPU support. HDMI 2.1 remains the practical choice until DisplayPort 2.1 gains full hardware support from both NVIDIA and AMD.

Recommendation: Choose DisplayPort 2.1 for future-proofing and advanced features, but verify your hardware compatibility. HDMI 2.1 remains a reliable choice for current gaming setups.

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