Having a high-performance GPU is useless if you aren’t able to actually display those graphics on your screen. Choosing the right cable can help tie everything together to match the performance of your monitor to the GPU. Using an older cable can hinder that performance or doesn’t allow for some options that you may need from your gaming rig.
Chances are that all the cables that I am listing below you have seen before. but for the most part, the pros and cons of each cable aren’t as well known. Through this article, I will be going over the pro and cons of the most common monitor cable types.
VGA (Video Graphics Array)
Let’s start with a classic the old VGA. The VGA cable started production way back in 1987 for CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors. The VGA cable is pretty easy to spot it is blue and has two small screws to help keep it in place.
VGA is an analog cable and is the only analog cable that will be on this list. Analog means that it doesn’t communicate with the end device. VGA only transmits video signals from your computer to the monitor. One of the biggest drawbacks is the VGA cables are prone to distortion. the longer the signal has to travel the worse the picture quality.
Even though these were made for CRT monitors they are still able to be used on digital monitors. Technically can support 1080p at 60hz. But that is a technicality and probably should be using something a little newer for your computer.
DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
DVI although a little newer than the VGA cable, is still on its way out. The DVI cable uses similar pins and screws to keep the cable secure and in place. But unlike the VGA it sends a digital signal instead of an analog (Not Always the Case). DVI originally didn’t even support sound when it first started out.
DVI cables actually come in different variations for example DVI-A is an analog signal while DVI-D is digital. Ohh but there are more DVI-I that send both digital and analog signals and it’s compatible with a VGA interface. Which was cool for the time but
DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is a digital display interface developed by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG). It is primarily used to connect a computer or other video source to a display, such as a monitor or TV. DVI is designed to transmit high-definition digital video and provide a high-quality visual experience.
There are several types of DVI connectors:
- DVI-D (Digital Only): DVI-D supports digital video signals and does not support analog video signals.
- DVI-A (Analog Only): DVI-A supports analog video signals and does not support digital video signals.
- DVI-I (Integrated): DVI-I supports both digital and analog video signals.
The DVI cable has a 29-pin or 24-pin connector, which is used to transmit the digital video signal. The DVI cable is typically available in lengths of up to 15 feet (5 meters) but longer cables can also be found.
DVI cable support high resolutions, it can support up to 1920×1080 pixels at 60Hz, and it can also support HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), which is used to protect copyrighted content from unauthorized copying. DVI does not support audio transmission, so a separate audio cable is required for audio.
DVI cables are compatible with most modern displays, but it is becoming less common with the rise of HDMI and DisplayPort which we will go over next.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
HDMI is actually getting pretty old by this point even though it came out 4 years after DVI but it is still widely used and accepted. in fact HDMI is probably one of the most widely available video connections currently. Has been used through a number of generations of TVs, Gaming Consoles, and Graphic cards. The main reason for this is because of its versatility. HDMI supports multi-media channel audio at the time VGA and DVI didn’t support audio this would of all been done through a separate connection. The introduction of the audio through the cable was what initially propelled this to be used so commonly.
Now HDMI has changed over the years it isn’t the same cable it was when it first came out but has gone through a series of upgrades while keeping the same name. HDMI 1.4 upgraded to HDMI 2.0 which then upgraded to 2.1.
HDMI 1.4
Back in 2009, HDMI 1.4 was released. It added several new features to the HDMI standard, including support for 3D video, an Audio Return Channel (ARC) for sending audio back to a home theater receiver, and the ability to transmit Ethernet data over the HDMI cable. Additionally, HDMI 1.4 also supports resolutions up to 4096×2160 (4K) at 24Hz and 3840×2160 (4K) at 30Hz. The biggest downs side to the cable was 30 FPS while running at 4K resolution. It wasn’t until 2013 when HDMI 2.0 was released that we got a cable that could achieve more than 60 FPS at 4K.
HDMI 2.0
HDMI 2.0 was released in 2013. It added several new features and capabilities to the HDMI standard, including support for 4K resolution at a higher refresh rate of 60Hz, as well as increased bandwidth of up to 18 Gbps. This allows for the transmission of more data-intensive content, such as 4K video with high dynamic range (HDR) and 32 audio channels. HDMI 2.0 also added support for the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) 2.0 feature, which allows for easier control of multiple devices connected to the TV. It also introduced the ability to transmit a 21:9 aspect ratio video.
HDMI 2.1
HDMI 2.1 is the latest version of the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) specification. It was released in November 2017 and offers a number of improvements over previous versions, including:
- Higher bandwidth: HDMI 2.1 supports up to 48 Gbps, which is more than enough to handle 8K resolution video with HDR (high dynamic range) and other advanced features.
- Dynamic HDR: HDMI 2.1 supports dynamic HDR, which allows for a more detailed and accurate representation of colors and brightness levels.
- eARC: Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) allows for the transmission of high-quality audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, over a single HDMI cable.
- VRR: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces screen tearing and stuttering by syncing the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate of the content.
- ALLM: Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) automatically switches the display to its lowest latency mode when a gaming console is detected, reducing input lag.
HDMI 2.1 is backward-compatible with earlier versions of HDMI, so it can work with existing devices and cables. However, to take full advantage of the new features, you will need compatible devices and cables that support HDMI 2.1.
HDMI 2.2
HDMI 2.2 is the next version of HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) after HDMI 2.1, it was announced in early 2020 and it offers a number of improvements over previous versions. Some of the key features of HDMI 2.2 include:
- Higher bandwidth: HDMI 2.2 supports up to 77 Gbps, which is more than enough to handle 8K resolution video with HDR (high dynamic range) and other advanced features.
- Dynamic HDR: HDMI 2.2 supports dynamic HDR, which allows for a more detailed and accurate representation of colors and brightness levels.
- eARC: Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) allows for the transmission of high-quality audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, over a single HDMI cable.
- VRR: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces screen tearing and stuttering by syncing the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate of the content.
- ALLM: Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) automatically switches the display to its lowest latency mode when a gaming console is detected, reducing input lag.
- Dynamic Auto Lip-Sync: HDMI 2.2 has a feature that automatically corrects audio-video synchronization.
- Quick Frame Transport (QFT): This feature allows for faster transmission of video frames and reduces lag in gaming and VR.
HDMI 2.2 is backward-compatible with earlier versions of HDMI, so it can work with existing devices and cables. However, to take full advantage of the new features, you will need compatible devices and cables that support HDMI 2.2.
DisplayPort
DisplayPort is a digital display interface developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It is primarily used to connect a computer or other video source to a display, such as a monitor or TV. DisplayPort is designed to replace VGA, DVI, and FPD-Link.
Some of the key features of DisplayPort include:
- High resolution: DisplayPort supports resolutions up to 8K (7680×4320 pixels) at 60Hz, and 4K (3840×2160 pixels) at 120Hz.
- High refresh rate: DisplayPort supports refresh rates up to 240Hz, which can reduce stuttering and improve the smoothness of fast-moving images.
- Color depth: DisplayPort supports deep color, with a maximum bit depth of 30 bits per pixel.
- Audio support: DisplayPort can also transmit audio, so a single cable can be used for both video and audio.
- Multi-stream: DisplayPort allows multiple displays to be connected to a single video source and be used as a single large display or as an independent display.
- Adaptive-Sync: DisplayPort 1.2 and later versions have the feature of Adaptive-Sync, which enables the display to dynamically adjust its refresh rate to match the frame rate of the content, reducing screen tearing and stuttering.
- Security: DisplayPort supports HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), which is used to protect copyrighted content from unauthorized copying.
DisplayPort is also backward-compatible with VGA and DVI through the use of adapters. DisplayPort cables can be found in different lengths to suit the needs of the user.
USB-C
USB-C (also known as USB Type-C) is a type of USB connector that can be used to transmit video. It is smaller and more versatile than previous USB connectors and is designed to be reversible, meaning it can be plugged in either way. USB-C is becoming increasingly common on laptops, smartphones, and other devices.
Some of the key features of USB-C include:
- High data transfer speeds: USB-C supports data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen 2), which is twice as fast as USB 3.0.
- Power delivery: USB-C supports power delivery, which allows a device to charge another device or be charged by another device. USB-C can provide up to 100 watts of power, allowing it to charge laptops and other high-power devices.
- Video output: USB-C supports video output, allowing a device to connect to an external display using the DisplayPort, HDMI, or VGA protocol.
- Audio output: USB-C also supports audio output, allowing a device to connect to external speakers or headphones.
- Alternate modes: USB-C has an alternate mode feature, which allows it to carry other types of data such as Thunderbolt 3 and MHL.
- Reversible: The USB-C connector is reversible, meaning it can be plugged in either way, eliminating the need to orient the connector in a specific direction.
- Compatibility: USB-C is compatible with a wide range of devices and accessories, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, and external hard drives.
- Versatility: USB-C is designed to be a single connector for all your devices, providing a one-size-fits-all solution for data transfer, power delivery, and video output.
However, not all USB-C ports and cables support all the features, and some devices may require specific cables or adapters to take full advantage of all the features of USB-C.