DisplayPort is the interface of choice on desktop graphics cards and professional monitors. Unlike HDMI it supports Multi Stream Transport for daisy chaining displays, and it carries Adaptive Sync natively, which is why gaming and workstation setups tend to run DisplayPort in preference to anything else.
DisplayPort 1.4 uses HBR3 signalling for 32.4Gbps of bandwidth, enough for 8K at 60Hz with Display Stream Compression or 4K at 120Hz without it. Look for VESA certification: it is the only reliable indicator that a cable will actually sustain HBR3 rather than quietly falling back to a lower link rate.
Active and passive adapters
This distinction matters more than most product pages admit. A passive adapter relies on your graphics card outputting an HDMI or DVI signal through the DisplayPort connector, a mode called DP++ or Dual Mode. Many modern cards no longer support it. An active adapter contains a conversion chip and works regardless of what the source does, which makes it the safer choice on newer hardware and the only option for multi monitor setups from a single port.
Adapters here cover HDMI, DVI, VGA and combination outputs, alongside straight DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables.
DisplayPort versions compared
| Version |
Max data rate |
Typical maximum |
Notes |
| DP 1.2 |
21.6 Gbps (HBR2) |
4K 60 Hz |
Introduced MST daisy-chaining |
| DP 1.4 |
32.4 Gbps (HBR3) |
4K 120 Hz, 8K 60 Hz with DSC |
The standard on most gaming monitors |
| DP 2.1 |
80 Gbps (UHBR20) |
4K 240 Hz, 8K 120 Hz |
Full speed needs a DP80-certified cable |
Common questions
DisplayPort or HDMI for a gaming monitor? DisplayPort. Adaptive sync (G-Sync and FreeSync) is most dependable over DP, and many monitors expose their full refresh rate only on the DisplayPort input. HDMI is for TVs, consoles and projectors. See DisplayPort vs HDMI.
Can I use a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter in reverse? No. DP-to-HDMI adapters and cables are one-directional, from a DisplayPort source to an HDMI display. Going from an HDMI source to a DisplayPort monitor needs a separate, powered active converter.
Do I need a VESA-certified DisplayPort cable? For 4K at 120 Hz, 8K, or anything that relies on HBR3 bandwidth, yes: certification means the cable was tested at full link rate instead of quietly negotiating down. For 1080p and 1440p at 60 Hz any well-made DP 1.2 cable is enough.
Can I daisy-chain two monitors from one DisplayPort output? Yes, with DisplayPort 1.2 or later, monitors that have a DisplayPort output (not just an input) and MST enabled in the monitor menu; the link bandwidth is shared between the displays. Our DisplayPort versions guide covers the setup.
Shop by use: Monitor cables & adapters · Gaming cables · Home office cables
Further reading: DisplayPort vs HDMI: Which Cable Should You Use? · DisplayPort Versions Explained · USB-C to HDMI vs USB-C to DisplayPort
