- Connecting
- Need
- Answer
Cable for a 1440p high-refresh monitor
Get this
Any DisplayPort 1.4 cable; HDMI 2.1 (Ultra High Speed) for 10-bit above 144 Hz
Look for
- DisplayPort is the default on gaming monitors
- HDMI 2.0 manages 1440p 144 Hz only in 8-bit
Avoid
- HDMI 1.4 ports: 1440p tops out around 85 Hz (often 60–75 Hz in practice)
The numbers: 1440p 165 Hz 10-bit
| Link | Needs | Has | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI 2.0 | 20.37 Gbps | 14.40 Gbps | Too much |
| DP 1.2 | 20.37 Gbps | 17.28 Gbps | Too much |
| DP 1.4 | 20.37 Gbps | 25.92 Gbps | Fits |
| HDMI 2.1 40G | 20.37 Gbps | 35.56 Gbps | Fits |
How the numbers are worked out
Reduced-blanking timing (VESA CVT-R2)
2560×1440 active → 2640 × 1559 total pixels per frame
2640 × 1559 × 165 Hz = 679.10 MHz pixel clock
679.10 MHz × 30.0 bits per pixel = 20.37 Gbps
10-bit colour, full RGB/4:4:4: 3 × 10 = 30.0 bits per pixel.
"Has" is the link's usable rate after line coding. DSC is modelled as up to 3:1 compression. Full method.
Standards behind this answer
2016
DisplayPort 1.4
The current workhorse. 4K 120 Hz uncompressed, 4K 240 Hz and 8K with DSC.
- data: 32.4 Gbps
- video: 4K 120 Hz / 4K 240 Hz (DSC)
HDMI 2.1
48 Gbps, 4K 120 Hz, 8K, VRR and eARC. The console and gaming-TV standard.
- data: 48 Gbps
- video: 4K 144 Hz / 8K 60 Hz (DSC)
HDMI 2.0
The 4K 60 Hz standard. 18 Gbps, HDR from 2.0a, but not enough for 4K 120.
- data: 18 Gbps
- video: 4K 60 Hz