Both HDMI and DisplayPort are good for gaming, so if you’re looking for a clear, one-size-fits-all answer, it’s a little more complicated than just picking one and being done. These two cords often get lumped together as interchangeable, but if you’re serious about your gaming setup or just want to get the most out of your monitor and graphics card, it’s worth breaking down the details. Because when it comes to frames per second, refresh rates, resolution, and overall experience, the cord you choose actually matters a lot more than most people realize.

First off, let’s talk about where each one stands in terms of history and how they’re typically used. HDMI has been around longer and was originally made more for TVs and home theater systems. You’ll see HDMI on pretty much every device that connects to a screen—from laptops to consoles to streaming sticks. That makes it the more universal option. On the other hand, DisplayPort was designed more with computers in mind. It’s not as common in the living room, but on desktops and higher-end monitors, DisplayPort is often the go-to.

So why does this matter for gaming? Because your monitor and your graphics card need to be able to speak the same language if you want smooth gameplay, especially if you’re gaming at high refresh rates or high resolutions like 1440p or 4K. And here’s where things start to get interesting.

HDMI has gone through a bunch of versions. Most people are familiar with HDMI 2.0, but HDMI 2.1 is where it really steps up. That version can handle 4K at 120Hz and even 8K at 60Hz, which is great for future-proofing. If you’ve got a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X, HDMI 2.1 is your ticket to high frame rate gaming on a 4K TV. The thing is, not every HDMI cable and not every HDMI port actually supports the full 2.1 spec. So you might plug something in and think you’re getting the best, but your gear might silently be falling back to a lower standard.

DisplayPort, meanwhile, is kind of like the quiet overachiever. DisplayPort 1.4 is already capable of handling 4K at 120Hz and can even push 8K with some compression. Then there’s DisplayPort 2.0, which is even more powerful—but still kind of rare in the wild right now. DisplayPort is just really good at pushing a lot of data fast, and it’s got a few extra features baked in that help with things like multiple monitor setups and reducing screen tearing.

One of the biggest reasons people lean toward DisplayPort for PC gaming is support for variable refresh rate technologies like G-Sync and FreeSync. These help sync the refresh rate of your monitor with the frames coming from your GPU. That means smoother gameplay and fewer annoying stutters or tears on the screen. HDMI also supports these technologies, but DisplayPort tends to do it more reliably and with broader compatibility. It’s kind of like the difference between something that works and something that just works better.

But let’s get real. If you’re on a console, you’re going to use HDMI. That’s what the console supports, that’s what the TV supports, and it’ll do the job well—especially if both the console and the TV support HDMI 2.1. You’re not missing out by using HDMI in that context. But if you’re gaming on a PC with a decent graphics card and a monitor that supports high refresh rates, DisplayPort usually makes more sense. The connection is just more stable, more flexible, and more capable when it comes to squeezing every drop of performance out of your rig.

Then there’s cable length. If you’re running a longer cable—for example, to a wall-mounted monitor or across a room—DisplayPort can handle longer distances without signal degradation better than older HDMI standards. HDMI 2.1 has closed that gap a bit, but you still might run into issues with longer HDMI cables unless you’re using an active one.

Another subtle detail a lot of people don’t think about is latency. Both HDMI and DisplayPort are digital connections, so latency is minimal in either case, but DisplayPort generally has lower latency in certain use cases. It’s not something most casual gamers will notice, but competitive players who live for twitch reflexes will care. Even a few milliseconds can make a difference in fast-paced shooters or rhythm games.

Audio-wise, both HDMI and DisplayPort carry sound. So if you’re hooking your PC or console up to a monitor with speakers, or routing audio through a receiver, both cords will do the trick. HDMI is more commonly used for audio-video setups, though, and might be easier to work with if you’re dealing with soundbars, receivers, or surround sound.

So which is better? It really depends on your setup. If you’re gaming on a high-end PC with a powerful GPU and a monitor that supports high refresh rates or resolutions, DisplayPort is the better pick. It was made for this kind of thing. You’ll get better support for features like G-Sync and FreeSync, and the bandwidth is there to handle more demanding output. If you’re gaming on a console, or if you’re on a TV instead of a monitor, HDMI is your friend. It’s also the default for most consumer electronics, so sometimes the choice is made for you whether you like it or not.

Now, if your monitor and your graphics card both support DisplayPort and HDMI, and you’re just wondering which one to actually use for gaming, I’d lean toward DisplayPort in most PC cases. The visual differences might not be night and day at first glance, but over time, especially as you play different types of games or switch between them, you’ll notice smoother performance and fewer weird hiccups.

Also, don’t get fooled by expensive cables. A $60 HDMI cable isn’t going to magically make your image look better than a $10 certified one. Same goes for DisplayPort. Just make sure you’re using a cable that actually supports the version you need. If you’re running HDMI 2.1 features, make sure you’ve got an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. For DisplayPort 1.4, look for a certified DP 1.4 cable. It’s less about price and more about making sure you’re not bottlenecking your system with a cheap or outdated cord.

In the end, both cords are solid. HDMI has come a long way and is more than capable of handling serious gaming, especially with the newer 2.1 spec. DisplayPort still has the edge for PC gamers who want that extra bit of polish in their performance. It’s not a night and day difference, but if you’re aiming for smooth, high refresh rate gameplay and you’ve got the gear to support it, DisplayPort is going to give you the most consistent experience. And if you’re just trying to plug and play without thinking too hard, HDMI won’t let you down either.

What matters most is knowing what your hardware supports and matching that with the right cable. Because when you line everything up right—monitor, graphics card, cord—you can actually feel the difference. Not just in frames or clarity, but in how connected you feel to the game itself. And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?