Do I really need HDMI if I am not using audio/monitor speakers?

winterwonderland · Nov 10, 2023

I do not use sound/speakers on my monitor (34" Gigabyte, the one in my specs), and since I have a lot of DP cables around, do i really need HDMI, or? Does it matter in terms movies and gaming whether I use DP vs HDMI, or? I primarily use my main monitor for videos, youtube, editing, multi-tasking and movies. Slight gaming, but nothing too heavy...

bonehead123 · Nov 10, 2023

Maybe, maybe not....probably not, unless you are running something that requires a particular feature of one or the other type of connection....but none of the uses you listed will really care one way or the other....

It could also depend on your other component's capabilities, resolution requirements & settings

ShiBDiB · Nov 10, 2023

DisplayPort is superior in every way (besides cord length)

Also that monitor does not support GSync over HDMI (needs 2.1)

natr0n · Nov 10, 2023

dp has higher Hz 120-240 +

thats a benefit

TheLostSwede · Nov 10, 2023

ShiBDiB said:
DisplayPort is superior in every way (besides sound and cord length)

DP does sound as well.

ShiBDiB · Nov 10, 2023

TheLostSwede said:
DP does sound as well.

Fixed, not sure why I thought it didn't.

LabRat 891 · Nov 10, 2023

The basis of the question is null. If HDMI is 'best' for purpose, just don't use it for audio.
(Not to mention/as mentioned) DP, just like HDMI optionally carries audio too.

ShiBDiB said:
DisplayPort is superior in every way (besides cord length)

Also that monitor does not support GSync over HDMI (needs 2.1)

I've seen some back/forth saying otherwise. Personally, I would still 100% agree.

Any high-refresh rate or VRR display will typically work best/well over DP.
HDMI requires making sure, display, GPU, and cable all support sufficient spec.

Technically, the 'issue' remains w/ DP. However, even 'old' DP is very high bandwidth

winterwonderland · Nov 10, 2023

ShiBDiB said:
DisplayPort is superior in every way (besides cord length)

Also that monitor does not support GSync over HDMI (needs 2.1)

Ok, so upon reading all these comments, DP it is then.

So, I would need a HDMI 2.1 cable to get GSync to work, yes?

Thanks for the quick help, you lot!

Bill_Bright · Nov 10, 2023

"Need"? I don't understand the point of your question.

If you have a monitor that ONLY has HDMI input, then you "need" HDMI.

You already are suggesting DP is serving your "needs", so why the question?

If you are wondering if you can get rid of unused HDMI cables you might have laying around, I sure wouldn't - at least not all of them. Tomorrow you might get a new (or just new to you) device (a Roku streamer, or cable box, as examples) that requires HDMI to send a signal to your TV.

Now whether or not HDMI or DP provide a better picture to your eyes, or not, try each and see for yourself.

ShiBDiB · Nov 10, 2023

winterwonderland said:
So, I would need a HDMI 2.1 cable to get GSync to work, yes

That monitor only has an HDMI 2.0 port on it, so you'd need DP for gsync.

ir_cow · Nov 10, 2023

ShiBDiB said:
DisplayPort is superior in every way (besides cord length)

Also that monitor does not support GSync over HDMI (needs 2.1)

DP 1.4 is better then HDMI 2.0, but less bandwidth compared to HDMI 2.1

ShiBDiB said:
That monitor only has an HDMI 2.0 port on it, so you'd need DP for gsync.

Yes and No. Depends on the model.

ShiBDiB · Nov 10, 2023

ir_cow said:
Yes and No. Depends on the model.

Everything I've seen says 2.1 is the minimum for GSync and it is still better to use DP. You can use FreeSync with HDMI tho.

And DP 2.0 > Beats out HDMI 2.1. But HDMI 2.1 > DP 1.4 and below.

That monitor is HDMI 2.0 but DP 1.4 so DP beats it out.

thesmokingman · Nov 10, 2023

DP ftw. I would only use HDMI if forced to, not out of choice.

ir_cow · Nov 10, 2023

ShiBDiB said:
Everything I've seen says 2.1 is the minimum for GSync and it is still better to use DP. You can use FreeSync with HDMI tho.

My Acer Predator monitor Gsync only works with DP, but newer models only work with HDMI. Just depends if it hardware driven or software and what version.

The monitor and model number would help here. Don't see it above in the 1st post though (edit nvm, can't see specs on mobile, but desktop mode shows it).

Gigabyte M32Q

Edit 2: Looks like that monitor only supports AMD FreeSync Premium listed in the manual. DP or HDMI will work, doesn't matter.

wNotyarD · Nov 10, 2023

ir_cow said:
My Acer Predator monitor Gsync only works with DP, but newer models only work with HDMI. Just depends if it hardware driven or software and what version.

The monitor and model number would help here. Don't see it above in the 1st post though (edit nvm, can't see specs on mobile, but desktop mode shows it).

Gigabyte M32Q

Edit 2: Looks like that monitor only supports AMD FreeSync Premium listed in the manual. DP or HDMI will work, doesn't matter.

OP's card is a 3060. Don't GeForces run G-Sync Compatible (aka Freesync) over DP only?

R-T-B · Nov 12, 2023

wNotyarD said:
OP's card is a 3060. Don't GeForces run G-Sync Compatible (aka Freesync) over DP only?

Doesn't matter as this isn't an oldschool gsync monitor anyways.

winterwonderland · Nov 23, 2023

Well, I have swapped out HDMI for DP now, and it seems to be well worth it!

Thanks for the help, people.

agent_x007 · Nov 23, 2023

Use the one that always works.
Not displaying image after wake-up, no POST screen/black screen until Windows, blurry text...
^try changing video output to other one when you encounter this type of behaviors.

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Do I really need HDMI if I am not using audio/monitor speakers?

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