DisplayPort & HDMI Bandwidth Calculator: DP 1.4 vs HDMI 2.1 Refresh Rate Matcher (2026)
DisplayPort HDMI bandwidth decides whether your monitor can run at its full refresh rate. The calculator above takes your resolution, refresh rate and color depth, works out the data rate in Gbps, and shows green, amber and red results for HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1, DP 1.2, DP 1.4 and DP 2.1.
For example, 1440p at 240 Hz with 10-bit color needs about 30.8 Gbps. That is more than DP 1.4 can carry without DSC compression, but easy for HDMI 2.1 or DP 2.1. Change any dropdown and the table updates instantly.
How the DisplayPort HDMI Bandwidth Calculator Works
The required data rate is the pixel clock multiplied by the bits per pixel. The pixel clock is the total pixels per frame, including blanking, multiplied by the refresh rate. The calculator uses reduced blanking timings, the same approach modern monitors use, then compares the result with each cable standard. If text looks soft after changing modes, our monitor looks pixelated fixcovers the usual causes.
- Resolution: pick the monitor native resolution.
- Refresh rate: choose the Hz you want to run.
- Color depth: 8-bit and 10-bit RGB, or 8-bit with 4:2:0 chroma.
- Result: Yes, Needs DSC or No for each cable.
DisplayPort and HDMI Usable Data Rates
Each interface has a raw link rate and a smaller usable data rate after encoding overhead. These are the numbers the calculator compares against.
| Interface | Usable data rate | DSC support |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI 1.4 | 8.16 Gbps | No |
| HDMI 2.0 | 14.4 Gbps | No |
| HDMI 2.1 | 42.67 Gbps | Yes |
| DP 1.2 | 17.28 Gbps | No |
| DP 1.4 | 25.92 Gbps | Yes |
| DP 2.1 UHBR13.5 | 52.22 Gbps | Yes |
| DP 2.1 UHBR20 | 77.37 Gbps | Yes |
HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.2 do not support DSC, so for them a mode either fits or it does not. HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4 and DP 2.1 can use DSC to carry modes that exceed their raw rate.
DisplayPort 1.4 Max Hz at 1440p
Without DSC, DisplayPort 1.4 can drive 1440p at about 251 Hz in 8-bit color and about 205 Hz in 10-bit color. HDMI 2.1 reaches about 319 Hz at 1440p 10-bit. At 4K, DP 1.4 reaches about 120 Hz in 8-bit, HDMI 2.1 about 155 Hz in 10-bit, and DP 2.1 UHBR13.5 about 187 Hz in 10-bit, all without compression.
Common Monitor Modes and Which Cable Works
This table lists popular modes with the data rate they need and the result for four common cables. If the screen goes blank after a change, see white screen of death fix.
| Mode | Required | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.1 | DP 1.4 | DP 2.1 UHBR13.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p 240 Hz 8-bit | 14.0 Gbps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1440p 144 Hz 10-bit | 17.6 Gbps | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1440p 240 Hz 8-bit | 24.6 Gbps | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1440p 240 Hz 10-bit | 30.8 Gbps | No | Yes | Needs DSC | Yes |
| 4K 60 Hz 10-bit | 15.7 Gbps | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4K 120 Hz 10-bit | 32.3 Gbps | No | Yes | Needs DSC | Yes |
| 4K 144 Hz 10-bit | 39.2 Gbps | No | Yes | Needs DSC | Yes |
| 3440×1440 165 Hz 10-bit | 27.2 Gbps | No | Yes | Needs DSC | Yes |
Can DP 1.4 Do 1440p 240Hz 10-Bit?
This is the most searched question, and the answer depends on color depth. At 8-bit, 1440p 240 Hz needs about 24.6 Gbps, which fits inside DP 1.4. At 10-bit it needs about 30.8 Gbps, so you need DSC, an HDMI 2.1 port or DP 2.1. Many 1440p 240 Hz monitors enable 10-bit only with DSC. Not sure 1440p is worth it? See 1080p vs 1440p.
HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth Calculator Notes
HDMI 2.1 FRL carries 48 Gbps raw, about 42.67 Gbps usable. That is enough for 4K 144 Hz 10-bit without compression and for far higher modes with DSC. Make sure your cable is certified Ultra High Speed, because older cables fail above 4K 60 Hz.
DSC Bandwidth Calculator Notes
Display Stream Compression reduces the data rate by up to about 3 to 1. The calculator shows the compressed figure beside the uncompressed one. DSC can limit features such as DSR on some graphics cards, so check your GPU and monitor before relying on it.
DisplayPort HDMI Bandwidth: Where to Verify the Standards
The link rates come from the official specifications. You can read the DisplayPort standard on the VESA DisplayPort page. Monitor makers often use custom timings, so always check your own monitor manual for the maximum supported mode.
Tips for Choosing the Right Cable
- Use the cable that came with the monitor for its highest refresh rate.
- Buy certified DP 1.4 or Ultra High Speed HDMI cables, not unmarked ones.
- Keep cables short for modes near the limit; long passive cables lose signal.
- If a mode shows No, lower the color depth or refresh rate by one step and recheck.
- Pair it with the MS to FPS calculatorto see the frame time gain.
Why a DisplayPort HDMI Bandwidth Calculator Helps
Spec sheets list the standard name, not whether your exact mode fits. A DisplayPort HDMI bandwidth calculator turns resolution, Hz and color depth into a real data rate, so you can pick the right cable and port before you buy a monitor or a graphics card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DP 1.4 do 1440p 240Hz 10-bit?
Not without DSC. 1440p 240 Hz 10-bit needs about 30.8 Gbps and DP 1.4 carries 25.92 Gbps. At 8-bit it needs 24.6 Gbps, which DP 1.4 can carry.
What is the maximum refresh rate for DisplayPort 1.4 at 1440p?
About 251 Hz at 8-bit and about 205 Hz at 10-bit without DSC, using reduced blanking timings.
Can HDMI 2.0 do 4K 60Hz?
Yes at 8-bit RGB (about 12.6 Gbps), but 10-bit RGB needs 15.7 Gbps so it falls back to 4:2:0 on HDMI 2.0.
What does DSC do?
Display Stream Compression compresses the picture up to about 3 to 1 so higher refresh rates fit through HDMI 2.1 or DP 1.4. It is visually lossless for most users.
Is HDMI 2.1 better than DP 1.4?
For raw bandwidth, yes: 42.67 Gbps versus 25.92 Gbps. DP 2.1 UHBR13.5 and UHBR20 go higher still.
Are these numbers exact?
They use standard reduced blanking timing and nominal link rates. Real monitors can use slightly different timings, so treat the results as close estimates.
Axee Davies is the founder of AxeeTech, publishing gaming guides, codes, and Windows how-tos since March 2013. A tech enthusiast for 13+ years — starting with smartphones and Android rooting — he now runs a site that puts out a new guide every day for Roblox players, traders, and Windows users. More about AxeeTech
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