Which DisplayPort version do I need for 1440p 240Hz?

A DisplayPort 1.4 cable handles 1440p at 240Hz within its 32.4 Gbps bandwidth, so a VESA DP8K-certified DP 1.4 cable is enough. You do not need DP 2.1 for this mode. Just make sure both your GPU and monitor have DisplayPort outputs rated for 240Hz.

Can a DisplayPort 1.4 cable run 4K 144Hz?

Yes. DisplayPort 1.4 supports 4K at 144Hz using Display Stream Compression (DSC), which is visually lossless. Use a certified DP8K cable to guarantee the full 32.4 Gbps. For uncompressed 4K at higher refresh rates you would step up to a DP 2.1 UHBR cable.

What is DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR and do I need it?

DisplayPort 2.1 introduces UHBR link rates up to 80 Gbps (UHBR20), enabling uncompressed 4K 240Hz and 8K displays. You only benefit if your graphics card and monitor both support UHBR. For most current gaming monitors a DP 1.4 cable is sufficient and better value.

How long can a DisplayPort cable be before signal drops?

Passive copper DisplayPort cables are reliable up to about 2 to 3 metres at full DP 1.4 bandwidth. For longer distances, choose an active or fibre-optic DisplayPort cable, which holds full bandwidth over 5 to 15 metres or more, ideal for wall-mounted screens and tidy desk runs.

Should I use DisplayPort or HDMI for gaming in South Africa?

For a PC and gaming monitor, DisplayPort is usually best: it supports higher refresh rates, native adaptive-sync, and monitor daisy-chaining. HDMI 2.1 is the right choice for TVs and consoles. If your GPU and monitor both have DisplayPort, use it for the highest refresh performance.

Why does VESA certification matter on a DisplayPort cable?

VESA certification (DP8K for DP 1.4, and UHBR tiers for DP 2.1) verifies the cable actually carries its rated bandwidth. Uncertified cables may work but can flicker or drop refresh rate at high modes. Buying a certified cable is the simplest way to avoid black-screen and stability issues.

Will a DisplayPort cable support adaptive-sync like FreeSync or G-Sync?

Yes. DisplayPort natively supports variable refresh rate technologies including AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible. As long as your monitor and current-generation NVIDIA RTX or AMD Radeon GPU support adaptive-sync, a standard DisplayPort cable will carry it without a special version.

Does the DisplayPort cable carry audio as well as video?

Yes. DisplayPort carries multi-channel audio alongside video over the same cable, so a single connection drives both your display and its speakers or headphone output. No separate audio cable is needed between the GPU and the monitor.

►Specials

►Cable Solutions

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DisplayPort Cables

DisplayPort Cables for 1440p 240Hz, 4K 144Hz and 8K

A DisplayPort cable is the connection that lets a high-refresh gaming monitor actually hit its rated resolution and refresh rate. The version matters more than the brand: DP 1.4 carries 32.4 Gbps and drives 1440p at 240Hz or 4K at 144Hz (with Display Stream Compression for the highest modes), while DP 2.1 UHBR cables reach up to 80 Gbps for uncompressed 4K 240Hz and 8K displays. For guaranteed bandwidth, look for a VESA-certified cable rated for the mode you need, keep passive runs under about 3 metres, and match the cable to your GPU and monitor ports.

How to Choose a DisplayPort Cable

The right DisplayPort cable is decided by the resolution and refresh rate you want to run, not by the price or the braiding. Work out your target mode first — for example 1440p at 240Hz, 4K at 144Hz, or 8K at 60Hz — then pick a cable version and certification that carries enough bandwidth for it. A cable that is under-rated will silently drop to a lower refresh rate or show black-screen flicker, even if the monitor and GPU support the mode.

DisplayPort 1.4 delivers 32.4 Gbps of total bandwidth and remains the mainstream standard, handling 1440p 240Hz and 4K 144Hz, with Display Stream Compression for the most demanding modes. DisplayPort 2.1 introduces UHBR link rates (UHBR10, UHBR13.5 and UHBR20) reaching up to 80 Gbps, enabling uncompressed 4K 240Hz and 8K without subsampling. Only buy into DP 2.1 if both your GPU and monitor advertise UHBR support, otherwise a DP 1.4 cable is the better value.

The cable has to carry more data as resolution and refresh climb, so pick the version by your target mode. A DP 1.4 cable comfortably runs 1080p and 1440p at high refresh and 4K up to 144Hz. For 4K at 240Hz or true 8K you want a DP 2.1 UHBR cable. If a monitor caps out below its advertised refresh rate, an under-rated cable is the most common cause.

VESA certification is the reliable way to confirm a cable actually meets its rated bandwidth. A DP8K-certified cable is verified for DP 1.4's full 32.4 Gbps, while the newer UHBR-certified tiers cover DP 2.1 speeds. Uncertified cables often work but can fail intermittently at high refresh rates, so certification is worth prioritising over cosmetic features like braiding.

DisplayPort signal integrity drops over distance, so length matters at high bandwidth. Passive copper DP cables are reliable up to roughly 2 to 3 metres at full DP 1.4 speeds; beyond that, high-refresh modes may become unstable. For longer runs choose an active or fibre-optic DisplayPort cable, which maintains full bandwidth over 5 to 15 metres and beyond for wall-mounted or desk-away setups.

On a gaming PC, DisplayPort is usually the better choice: it supports higher refresh rates, native adaptive-sync (FreeSync and G-Sync compatible), and daisy-chaining via Multi-Stream Transport. HDMI 2.1 also handles 4K 120Hz and is essential for TVs and consoles. Use DisplayPort between your graphics card and gaming monitor, and keep HDMI for TVs, consoles, or displays that lack a DisplayPort input.

For most current gaming setups a VESA-certified DP 1.4 (DP8K) cable is the safe default; move to a DP 2.1 UHBR cable only if you have a monitor and GPU that support UHBR and you want uncompressed high-refresh 4K or 8K. Keep passive copper runs short, and check that both your graphics card and display actually have DisplayPort outputs before buying.

How to Choose a DisplayPort Cable

DisplayPort Cables for 1440p 240Hz, 4K 144Hz and 8K

DisplayPort Cables for High-Refresh Gaming Displays (20)

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GIZZU HDMI to VGA Adapter 1080p 60Hz - Black

GIZZU 4K DP to HDMI Adapter

UGREEN HD106 HDMI to DVI Cable

LinkQnet CNV-USBC-VGA-LQ USB-C VGA Converter

UGREEN DP131 DisplayPort 2.1 Cable 1m

RCT Mini-DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter

UPERFECT UCable 3-in-1 HDMI Mirroring Adapter

UGREEN DP114 8K DisplayPort Cable

Gizzu GCPDPDP2 8K DisplayPort Cable

UGREEN Mini DP to DP 4K Cable

UGREEN TB4 MiniDP to HDMI Cable

GIZZU 1.5m 4K DisplayPort Cable

UGREEN DisplayPort 1.4 8K Cable

HP DHC-CT202HP USB-C to HDMI Adapter

ORICO UTV-BK-BP USB 3.0 to VGA Adapter

Promate PowerBolt 240W USB-C Cable

Ugreen 50570 4K USB-C HDMI Cable

HP DHC-CT201 USB-C to VGA Adapter

Promate POWERBOLT5-80G USB4 80Gbps Cable

HP 2PC54AA USB-C HDMI Adapter

DisplayPort Cables for High-Refresh Gaming Displays (20)

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Price Range

Not surewhich Laptop?

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GIZZU HDMI to VGA Adapter 1080p 60Hz - Black

GIZZU 4K DP to HDMI Adapter

UGREEN HD106 HDMI to DVI Cable

LinkQnet CNV-USBC-VGA-LQ USB-C VGA Converter

UGREEN DP131 DisplayPort 2.1 Cable 1m

RCT Mini-DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter

UPERFECT UCable 3-in-1 HDMI Mirroring Adapter

UGREEN DP114 8K DisplayPort Cable

Gizzu GCPDPDP2 8K DisplayPort Cable

UGREEN Mini DP to DP 4K Cable

UGREEN TB4 MiniDP to HDMI Cable

GIZZU 1.5m 4K DisplayPort Cable

UGREEN DisplayPort 1.4 8K Cable

HP DHC-CT202HP USB-C to HDMI Adapter

ORICO UTV-BK-BP USB 3.0 to VGA Adapter

Promate PowerBolt 240W USB-C Cable

Ugreen 50570 4K USB-C HDMI Cable

HP DHC-CT201 USB-C to VGA Adapter

Promate POWERBOLT5-80G USB4 80Gbps Cable

HP 2PC54AA USB-C HDMI Adapter

How to Choose a DisplayPort Cable

How to Choose a DisplayPort Cable

Not sure
which Laptop?

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Best Deals

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Deals vanish.

Not sure
which Laptop?

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Best Deals

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Deals vanish.