You plug your new gaming monitor into your graphics card, fire up the PC, and then the doubt hits: Did I use the right cable? Forums scream about DisplayPort. Product pages push HDMI. A random listing says “dp cable HDMI,” and now it is completely unclear what actually matters for your setup.
If you are confused between a DP cable and an HDMI for your gaming PC, that is normal. This guide explains what each one does, where each is better, how to pick the right version, and how to fix the most common cable errors you see on gaming monitors.
Key Takeaways
- A DP cable connects your graphics card to the monitor, while HDMI is optimized for TVs; both have advantages for gaming.
- Use a DP cable for high refresh rates and multi-monitor setups; HDMI works better for consoles and audio features.
- Choose the right DP version based on your display: DP 1.2 for 1080p, DP 1.4 for 1440p and 240 Hz, and DP 2.1 for high-end setups.
- Common problems with DP cables include ‘No DP cable’ messages and flickering; reseat or replace cables to fix issues.
- When in doubt, use a direct DP connection for gaming monitors, while HDMI remains essential for TV and external audio setups.
Table of Contents
- What is a DP Cable and How is it Different from HDMI?
- DP Cable vs HDMI: Which one is Better for your Gaming PC?
- When is HDMI The Better Choice For Gaming
- Using a DisplayPort cable with HDMI, DVI, and VGA in Real Gaming Setups
- Common DisplayPort Cable Problems and How to Fix Them
- How to Choose between DisplayPort and HDMI for your Gaming PC
- FAQs
What is a DP Cable and How is it Different from HDMI?
If you are still wondering what a DP cable is, here is the simple version.
A DP cable is a DisplayPort cable that connects the DisplayPort output on your GPU to the DisplayPort input on your monitor. It is mainly designed for PCs and gaming monitors, not living room TVs.
A typical DP port cable:
- Has 20 pins and often a locking latch
- Supports high refresh rates and features like variable refresh
- It is sold under names like DP monitor cable, DP computer cable, or just DisplayPort
HDMI, on the other hand, was originally built for TVs and home entertainment. Modern GPUs and monitors support both, which is why DisplayPort cable vs HDMI has become a constant debate.
For a gaming PC, you can get great results with both. The trick is understanding where each one is strongest, rather than blindly assuming DisplayPort or HDMI always wins.
DP Cable vs HDMI: Which one is Better for your Gaming PC?
Here is a practical comparison focused on gaming use, not lab numbers.
| Feature/use case | DisplayPort (DP cable) | HDMI |
|---|---|---|
| Typical PC versions | DP 1.2, DP 1.4, DP 2.1 | HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1 |
| High refresh on gaming monitors | Very strong, especially with a DP 1.4 cable | Strong on HDMI 2.1, limited on older HDMI |
| Multi-monitor on a desktop | Better support and flexibility | Works, but less PC focused |
| TV and console compatibility | Limited to some TVs | Best choice, designed for TVs and consoles |
| Daisy chaining monitors | Supported on many DisplayPort setups | Not supported |
| Audio features (ARC, eARC) | Limited to PC monitors | Widely used on TVs and soundbars |
| Typical gamer choice on PC | DP cable for pc, especially at high refresh | HDMI for TV or secondary display |
For a high refresh desktop monitor, a DisplayPort cable for the monitor is usually the best default. For a living room TV or a console, HDMI wins that part of the HDMI vs DisplayPort discussion
When to Use A DP Cable For A Monitor in Your Gaming Setup
If your graphics card and monitor both have DisplayPort, a straight DP-to-DP cable is almost always the cleanest choice for a gaming PC.
You will see product names like
- DP to DP cable
- DP cable to DP cable
- Simply “DisplayPort cable”
All of these are standard DisplayPort connections. A good DisplayPort cable for pc gives you:
- Stable high refresh rates like 144 Hz, 165 Hz, or 240 Hz
- Support for variable refresh (G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync)
- Fewer handshake issues compared to daisy chains of adapters
Picking the Right DisplayPort Cable Version
Version matters, especially with higher refresh rates.
- A DP 1.2 cable is fine for 1080p 144 Hz or basic 1440p panels.
- A DP 1.4 cable works for 1440p 144 Hz or 240 Hz and many 4K high refresh monitors.
- Manufacturers often label these as “DisplayPort 1.4 cable” or “DisplayPort cable 1.4” on the packaging.
- For top-end setups, you will see a DisplayPort 2.1 cable, which is built for extreme bandwidth like 4K 240 Hz and future multi-monitor builds.
If your gear supports DP 1.4, choose a certified DP 1.4 cable or DisplayPort 1.4 cable so you are not limiting your monitor because of a weak link in the chain.
When is HDMI The Better Choice For Gaming
Even if you like DisplayPort, HDMI is not useless. There are clear situations where HDMI is the smarter move, and that is when the HDMI vs DisplayPort cable question flips.
Use HDMI when:
- You game on a big TV in the living room
- You care about audio features like ARC or eARC for soundbars
- You primarily use consoles and only sometimes hook a PC to that screen
On many 4K TVs, HDMI 2.1 is better supported than DP, so you will use HDMI for your PC as well. This is also where DisplayPort to HDMI connections come in if you want to reuse a DisplayPort output.
Using a DisplayPort cable with HDMI, DVI, and VGA in Real Gaming Setups
Real life is messy. Your GPU might only have DisplayPort, your monitor only HDMI, or your laptop might use Mini DisplayPort. That is how you end up with a drawer full of strange cables.
Here is how to translate the confusing product names into actual uses.
From the GPU DisplayPort to the HDMI Input
If your graphics card has DisplayPort and the display only has HDMI:
- Use a DisplayPort to HDMI or a DisplayPort to HDMI cable.
- A DP to HDMI cable is fine for basic resolutions.
- For 4K screens, pick a DP to HDMI cable 4k that clearly states it supports that resolution and refresh.
- Some listings call it a DP cable to HDMI or DP HDMI cable, but the key is that it goes from a DP source to an HDMI display.
These are perfect for running a gaming PC into a TV while keeping your main monitor on a pure DisplayPort cable.
From the GPU HDMI to the DisplayPort input
If your GPU only has HDMI but your monitor expects DisplayPort:
- You need an active HDMI to DisplayPort adapter.
- Some cables are sold as HDMI to DisplayPort cables or HDMI to DP or HDMI DisplayPort cables.
- Make sure the description clearly says HDMI source to DisplayPort display.
Passively wired “HDMI to DP” cables rarely work the way people expect. Do not trust the listing unless it clearly spells out the direction.
Mini DisplayPort and laptops
Older laptops and some compact PCs use Mini DisplayPort, so you will see:
- Mini DisplayPort cable
- Adapters like a mini DP to HDMI cable for connecting to regular HDMI inputs
- A DP to mini DP if the GPU offers a full-size DisplayPort and you are feeding a Mini DP display or dock
These are still DisplayPort, just with smaller connectors.
DVI and VGA connections
If you still have older screens around, you might be using DVI or VGA. That is where you see:
- DisplayPort to DVI
- DP to DVI cable
- DisplayPort cable to DVI
- VGA to DisplayPort cable
These are fine for side monitors, spreadsheets, or chat windows. For your main gaming display, they are a compromise. DVI and VGA will usually cap your refresh rates and drop many of the features that make a DisplayPort cable attractive.
Common DisplayPort Cable Problems and How to Fix Them
Even when you pick the right DisplayPort cable, there are a few classic problems that show up on gaming monitors.
1. “No DP Cable” or Similar Message
You may have seen odd on-screen messages like:
- “No DP cable”
- Brand-specific text, such as “no DisplayPort cable Dell monitor”
If you are wondering about the no DisplayPort cable meaning, it usually just means the monitor is set to the DisplayPort input but is not seeing any active signal or cable.
What it looks like:
- Black screen with a floating “No DisplayPort cable” notice
- PC fans and RGB are on, but there is no picture
How to fix it:
- Power off the PC and monitor.
- Reseat both ends of the DisplayPort cable for the monitor and make sure the latch clicks.
- Double-check the monitor input is actually set to DisplayPort.
- Try another DP port cable or DP monitor cable.
- If still dead, test the HDMI to confirm whether the issue is the monitor’s DP port or the cable.
2. “No DP Signal from your Device.”
Another common error is no DP signal from your device. That means the monitor sees that a DisplayPort device is connected, but is not getting a valid signal.
Typical causes:
- Faulty or low-quality DisplayPort cable
- GPU output problem
- The wrong resolution or refresh rate is temporarily confusing the link
Fix it like this:
- Swap the DisplayPort cable with another good DP computer cable.
- Move the cable to a different DisplayPort output on the GPU.
- Boot into safe mode or use a lower resolution and refresh temporarily.
- Update the graphics driver.
Often, this is solved by replacing a cheap cable with a better DisplayPort cable for pc that matches your monitor’s spec.
3. Flickering at High Refresh Rates
You set your monitor to 144 Hz or 240 Hz, and suddenly your screen starts flickering or cutting out.
Why does it happen?
- You are pushing more bandwidth than a weak cable can reliably carry.
- The cable is too long or daisy-chained with adapters.
How to fix it:
- Use a shorter, certified DisplayPort 1.4 cable or DP 1.4 cable for modern gaming monitors.
- Avoid chaining a DisplayPort cable into multiple adapters if you can run a direct line.
- Test at 120 Hz, then 144 Hz, then higher, until you find the stable point.
How to Choose between DisplayPort and HDMI for your Gaming PC
You do not need to memorize every spec. Use the scenarios below as a quick decision guide.
| Your setup | Recommended interface | Example cable type |
| 1080p 144 Hz gaming monitor | DisplayPort | A good DP 1.2 cable or DP cable |
| 1440p 144 Hz or 240 Hz gaming monitor | DisplayPort | Certified DP 1.4 cable or cable DP 1.4 |
| 4K 60 Hz monitor or TV for mixed use | Tie | Either DP cable or HDMI, depending on ports |
| 4K 120 Hz TV used for PC gaming and console | HDMI | VGA to DP cable only if necessary |
| Gaming laptop with Mini DP to standard monitor | DisplayPort or HDMI | Mini DP cable, mini displayport cable, or mini DP to HDMI cable |
| Old DVI monitor as a side screen | Whatever works | DisplayPort to DVI, DP to DVI cable, or DP cable to DVI |
| A very old VGA-only monitor was used temporarily | Last resort | VGA to DP cable only if necessary |
If you have a good gaming monitor and a modern GPU, a direct DisplayPort cable connection is usually the safest and most flexible. HDMI is still essential for TVs, consoles, and audio setups.
FAQs
DisplayPort is a digital display interface made for connecting PCs to monitors. It supports high bandwidth, high refresh rates, and features like adaptive sync. When you use it with a good DisplayPort cable, it is one of the best options for a serious gaming setup.
A DisplayPort cable has a rectangular connector with one corner slightly angled and 20 pins inside. Many DisplayPort cables have a small latch or button on top that you press to unplug them. It is wider than HDMI, and the angled corner makes it easy to tell them apart.
A DisplayPort cable carries digital video and audio between your graphics card and your display using the DisplayPort standard. For gaming, that means it can deliver high resolution, high refresh, and features like FreeSync or G-Sync Compatible, as long as your monitor and GPU support them.
The “no DP signal from your device” message means the monitor can see that a DisplayPort cable is plugged in, but is not receiving a valid video signal. This is usually caused by a bad DisplayPort cable, a problem with the GPU port, or settings that push a resolution or refresh rate the display cannot handle. Try another DisplayPort cable, another port, or a lower refresh rate to troubleshoot.
A DisplayPort cable for a monitor is just a DisplayPort cable that runs from the DP output on your PC to the DP input on your screen. For a gaming monitor, a direct DisplayPort cable for monitor connection is often the best way to unlock the panel’s full refresh rate and features without needing adapters.
For a desktop gaming monitor, yes, DisplayPort is usually better. A good DisplayPort cable supports higher refresh rates, adaptive sync, and multi-monitor setups more smoothly than older HDMI versions. HDMI is still great for TVs and consoles, but for a main gaming monitor, a DisplayPort cable is usually the smarter pick.
You need a DisplayPort cable that matches the version your GPU and monitor support. A DP 1.2 cable is fine for 1080p high refresh. For 1440p 144 Hz or higher, use a DisplayPort 1.4 cable or DP 1.4 cable. For very high-end 4K and beyond, use the DisplayPort 2.1 cable that often ships with the monitor.
Use adapters and cables from known brands and make sure they clearly describe the path and resolution, like DisplayPort to HDMI, mini DP to HDMI cable, DisplayPort to DVI, or VGA to DisplayPort cable. Check that they support the refresh rate you want. Skip generic HDMI DisplayPort cable listings that do not say what they actually do.
