DisplayPort is arguably the most powerful and capable combined audio and video solution for mainstream connections between computers and displays. Whether you're hooking up a high-powered PC to a gaming display, or an external monitor to a laptop, DisplayPort is one of the best ways to do it.
Does DisplayPort Support 144Hz?
The simple answer is yes, and at multiple resolutions. Even DisplayPort 1.0 and 1.1 were capable of supporting 144Hz at 1080p resolution when using the first-generation high bit rate (HBR) mode. Later DisplayPort connections are even more versatile.
DisplayPort 1.2 can output 1080p and 1440p resolutions at 144Hz, while DisplayPort 1.3 and 1.4 increased bandwidth to manage up to 240Hz at those same resolutions and up to 120Hz at 4K. It can't quite handle 144Hz at that resolution, at least without making sacrifices in chroma subsampling (typically 4:2:2) or using display stream compression (DSC).
The DisplayPort 2.0 standard, ratified in June 2019, increases bandwidth by up to three times, making it possible to support far higher resolutions (like 10K and 16K) but also faster refresh rates on multiple monitors. It's capable of running two 4K displays at up to 144Hz when using 8bpc. For now, DisplayPort 1.4 cables remain some of the most capable cables on the market, but DisplayPort 2.0, and even DisplayPort 2.1 are starting to appear on some devices, so DisplayPort 2.0 supporting monitors won’t be far behind.
In the future, once DisplayPort 2.1 becomes more commonplace, you may find fewer people asking "Does DisplayPort support 144Hz?", and more people asking, "Does DisplayPort support 240Hz?", as gaming monitors become more and more advanced.
What are the Benefits of 144Hz on DisplayPort?
Whether you're using DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, or DisplayPort over another cable standard like Thunderbolt 4, you're getting a more capable connection than you would from something like HDMI. Where the most up-to-date HDMI 2.1 standard does leapfrog a few of the older DisplayPort technologies, DisplayPort 1.4 and especially 2.0, are practically unmatched otherwise.
DisplayPort 1.3 and upwards support up to 144Hz on resolutions as high as 4K, and supporting monitors until recently, have mostly leveraged DisplayPort to achieve that. HDMI 2.1 has made it possible for gaming TVs and some monitors to use that instead, but for high resolution, high refresh rate monitors, DisplayPort connections are still far more common. Indeed, Nvidia’s latest RTX 4000-series graphics cards still make use of DisplayPort 1.4, despite being designed with the latest 4K, high refresh rate displays in mind.
Gaming at 144Hz or even higher can make you a more competitive player by lowering your input lag, but it makes any game look better, making animations smoother, and reducing flickers and stuttering.
Cable Matters DisplayPort 1.4 cable
Is DisplayPort Mandatory for 144Hz?
No, there are other cables that can handle 144Hz just fine, but some are more limited in their options and supporting resolutions. If you have an older 1080p, 144Hz monitor, you can connect it to your system using a Dual-Link DVI cable.
At 1440p, your options are a little more limited. HDMI 1.4 can handle it, but only with compression enabled, so we'd recommend HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 if you're looking for a DisplayPort alternative. However, DisplayPort 1.2 or newer will handle that just fine.
If you’re looking to do 4K 120Hz gaming on the Xbox Series X/S, or PS5, you’ll need to use an HDMI 2.1 cable, as those consoles only support that cable standard. For gaming PCs targeting 4K at 120Hz, DisplayPort 1.4 can handle it well, although you’ll need to use HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 2.0/2.1 if you want to run games at anything higher. For the highest resolutions and refresh rates, DisplayPort 2.0 cables are a must, as they unlock the option for up to 16K resolution, or even 8K at 120Hz, which is something that no HDMI connection can manage.
If you find yourself stuck with a graphics card or laptop with DisplayPort output, but no compatible port on the display end, don't fret. You can just use a DisplayPort 1.4 to 8K HDMI Adapter to connect. The same goes for HDMI, or even older DVI-D and VGA outputs, although those will have other limitations on resolution and refresh rate related to their maximum data rate.
What DisplayPort cable do you need for 144Hz?
One of the biggest advantages of DisplayPort cables delivering 144Hz, or any refresh rate for that matter, is that they are entirely interchangeable. A DisplayPort cable produced for the first generation will work just as well as one produced for the latest generation of DisplayPort technology today.
Unlike other display technologies, DisplayPort doesn't deliver a better or worse picture depending on the quality or price of your cable. As long as you buy your DisplayPort cable from a reputed retailer or manufacturer, like Cable Matters, you can guarantee a high-quality video and audio stream to your DisplayPort device. A 7.5m active DisplayPort 1.4 cable is recommended for ultimate flexibility without sacrificing performance. Check out some of Cable Matters’ high-quality DisplayPort 1.4 products:
Best gaming monitors for 144Hz refresh rate
The 144Hz refresh rate is a sweet spot for gaming, which is why you can find numerous forum posts asking, does DisplayPort support 144Hz? Not only is it a massive improvement over 60Hz gaming, but it is also far more affordable when it comes to dollar cost and system resources than more capable, even-higher refresh rates. Unless you're an ultra-competitive player looking for the greatest advantage, 144Hz monitors offer some of the most accessible, high-refresh-rate gaming experiences available today.
If you're looking for a great 144Hz gaming display, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ is top of the list, with fantastic motion handling, support for G-Sync and FreeSync, black-frame insertion for improved motion resolution, and excellent peak brightness. It’s 1440p resolution too, so it’ll make all your games look a bit more detailed than 1080p.
At 4K there are some increasingly competitive options, including the exciting Gigabyte M32U, which is both huge at 32-inches, and incredibly detailed. That combination of 144Hz and 4K resolution makes for a beautiful gaming experience, but make sure you have a powerful graphics card that’s up to the job.
At the more affordable end of the spectrum, consider the LG 27GN800-B, too. It’s also 1440p and 144Hz, and it even supports variable refresh rates. Just bear in mind that its contrast isn’t its strongest feature, so it won’t look as good as the more costly display options.
At 1440P, you might want to consider the Asus PG279QZ if you're a G-Sync user, or the FreeSync-supporting Samsung C27HG70 if you have an AMD graphics card. If you want something a little smaller or just more affordable, the Viewsonic XG2402 is well worth considering as well. At not far north of $200, it's an excellent solution for anyone wanting a 144Hz DisplayPort gaming monitor. These types of monitors typically come with 3 ft. cables but if you want a more flexible setup, 144Hz support can be achieved with a quality DisplayPort cable up to 10 ft.