HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 2.1?

Use HDMI 2.1 for PS5 or Xbox, and DisplayPort for a high-refresh PC when the monitor's specification calls for it. Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q5P has HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20, while ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDP pairs HDMI 2.1 with DisplayPort 1.4 DSC and still supports 4K 240Hz. On 27 October 2026, Gigabyte was £738.98 and ASUS was £738.83 on Amazon UK. The useful distinction is device and mode compatibility, not the version number alone.

Manufacturer references: Gigabyte lists the FO27Q5P ports and 500Hz mode; ASUS lists HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 DSC and its supported modes; Sony documents PS5 HDMI 2.1 output.

What is the difference between HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1?

Both are digital video connections, but they are used in different device ecosystems and support different features. HDMI is the standard output on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, TVs and home cinema equipment. DisplayPort is common on desktop graphics cards and PC monitors. A monitor can include both, allowing a console and PC to stay connected at once.

HDMI 2.1 supports PS5's 4K 120Hz output and HDMI VRR when the monitor implements the required features. Sony says PS5 supports HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120Hz on a compatible screen. Gigabyte and MSI both list two HDMI 2.1 inputs on their OLED monitors, so a console can occupy one port while a PC connects through DisplayPort.

DisplayPort 2.1's UHBR20 mode is aimed at high-bandwidth PC displays. Gigabyte lists UHBR20 on the FO27Q5P, which can display QHD at up to 500Hz. MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 lists DisplayPort 2.1a UHBR20 with a 4K 240Hz OLED panel. The monitor and graphics card must both support the mode; a DisplayPort 2.1 cable cannot upgrade a DisplayPort 1.4 graphics output.

Version labels do not tell the whole story. ASUS PG32UCDP's DisplayPort 1.4 connection uses DSC to support its high-resolution and high-refresh modes. DSC compresses the video signal to fit through the link; VESA designed it for visually lossless display use. The product page lists both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 DSC for 4K 240Hz and Full HD 480Hz. A later port version can provide more bandwidth headroom, but it is not automatically required if a monitor supports the target mode another way.

Which monitor examples show the difference?

The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q5P is a 27-inch QHD QD-OLED gaming monitor rated at 500Hz. It has two HDMI 2.1 inputs, full-size DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20, Mini DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 and USB-C with up to 18W power delivery. Its Amazon UK price was £738.98 on 27 October 2026. This model makes sense for a gaming PC where the GPU supports the UHBR20 input and for a console that uses HDMI 2.1.

The MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 is a 31.5-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1a UHBR20. It was £848.99 on Amazon UK in October 2026. The £110.01 premium over Gigabyte buys a larger 4K panel and 90W USB-C power delivery. If you need to charge a performance laptop while connecting video, the 90W rating is more useful than the Gigabyte's 18W. If you do not need 4K or laptop charging, the cheaper monitor's resolution and refresh may be a better match.

ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDP demonstrates that a DisplayPort 1.4 monitor can still support high refresh. Its 31.5-inch WOLED toggles between 4K 240Hz and Full HD 480Hz, with DisplayPort 1.4 DSC and HDMI 2.1. It was £738.83 at the same snapshot. A PC can use DisplayPort; a PS5 can use HDMI 2.1. The monitor's USB-C also provides up to 90W, subject to its OSD setting.

Samsung Odyssey G7 G70F is the more affordable dual-mode IPS example. At £429, it supports 4K 180Hz or Full HD 360Hz and uses HDMI 2.1 with DisplayPort 1.4. It is a useful choice for PC or console gamers who do not require 4K 240Hz. Its Full HD 360Hz mode is not the same as QHD 360Hz; it trades down to 1920 by 1080. Check the precise model number because Samsung has reused the Odyssey G7 name across product generations.

What are DSC, cable and bandwidth limits?

Display Stream Compression, or DSC, reduces the amount of data required to send a high-resolution image. It allows some monitors to reach high refresh rates over a link whose uncompressed bandwidth would be insufficient. ASUS lists DSC on PG32UCDP's DisplayPort 1.4 port. The user should not confuse DSC with image scaling: it compresses the signal so the display can show the chosen resolution and rate.

USB-C can carry DisplayPort video on monitors such as ASUS PG32UCDP and Gigabyte FO27Q5P. The same connector may deliver power, but wattage differs: ASUS lists 90W while Gigabyte lists 18W. These are not interchangeable laptop-charging capabilities. A 90W connection can power many productivity laptops; 18W is generally for smaller devices or accessories, so keep the laptop's power adapter for full-speed charging.

For a dual-device desk, connect the PC to DisplayPort and console to HDMI, then switch inputs from the monitor. KVM and USB hub features can share keyboard and mouse between devices, but they do not alter the video link limits. Check how many full-speed inputs the monitor has and whether the KVM works in each display mode. The manufacturer manual is more precise than an Amazon product title.

Which port and monitor should you choose?

For console, pick HDMI 2.1 and verify 4K 120Hz plus VRR support if those features matter. For PC, use DisplayPort where the GPU and display support the required resolution and refresh. Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q5P is the high-refresh QHD pick at £738.98; MSI MPG 322UR is a 4K 240Hz option at £848.99. ASUS PG32UCDP at £738.83 provides both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 DSC.

See our best 4K gaming monitors, 500Hz monitor picks and PS5 120Hz monitor recommendations.