Many new monitors you can find today have different types of connectors found on their respective input/output panels to make them suitable for almost all types of host devices you might need to connect.
USB-C or DisplayPort
Most of the time, you can choose the available ports for running the monitor at its usual output.
But, once the high-performance requirements of professional applications and gaming enter the picture, it wouldn’t be wise to just use the first receptacle you find and expect it to give you the best output possible.
Two of the most common types of connectors used right now are DisplayPort and USB-C.
Which one between USB-C vs DisplayPort should you use?
USB-C is great for laptop docking connections
The rise in popularity of USB-C monitors is the result of the evolution of today’s mobile devices as well as the possibility of one cable solution for power, video, and audio delivery. With USB-C connectivity, you can use PC displays as docks for your home or office laptop with no need to bother with disorganized cable arrangements.
USB-C has a speed of 10 Gbps and compatible with the DisplayPort Alternate mode to allow users to connect the host device to monitors with up to 4K resolution.
This together with the charging capability topping out at 85W makes this the connector solution of the future.
USB-C also got an excellent upgrade with the integration of Thunderbolt 3 technology of Intel.
The standard ups the charging power to as much as 100W and the bandwidth to a maximum of 40 Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 technology-enabled connectors are the main option for 5K and Ultrawide monitors because it supports resolutions at 60Hz refresh rate.
DisplayPort is great for high-resolution displays and high refresh rate
DisplayPort, specifically the 1.2 version, is now the most in-demand connection for PC monitors because of the high bandwidth ceiling at 17.2 Gbps allowing users to enjoy 1440p at 144Hz or 1080p at 240Hz. This also runs 4850 x 2160 4K displays at 60Hz with no problem, not to mention that it is also universally found in every type of GPU.
The market is starting to fill up with new standards with a maximum of 25.92 Gbps output. The upgrade is also expected to give users the opportunity to enjoy as much as 144Hz 4K for DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, 120Hz 4K for DisplayPort 1.3, and 7680 x 4320 8K outputs. The latest monitors with HDR together with the new 4K 144Hz gaming monitors are going to include DisplayPort 1.4 even though there are only a few compatible high-end GPUs right now.
DisplayPort also remains the unrivaled choice for enthusiasts and gamers since Adaptive Sync is included as a standard. It lets the monitor adapt the refresh rate to your computer’s framerate that pave way for NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync.
And it is also worthy to note that majority of gaming monitors support the VRR solutions through DisplayPort although there are HDMI 2.0 monitors starting to adapt FreeSync.
Related: USB-C vs USB
I’m Cartez Augustus, a content creator based in Houston, Texas. Recently, I’ve been delving into different content marketing niches to achieve significant website growth. I enjoy experimenting with AI, SEO, and PPC. Creating content has been an exciting journey, enabling me to connect with individuals who possess a wealth of knowledge in these fields.
