Why your cable choice matters
A monitor might be rated for 4K 144Hz, but the cable between it and your PC determines whether that spec is achievable. Bandwidth is the limiting factor, and different cable standards carry very different amounts of it.
HDMI versions
HDMI 1.4: 10.2 Gbps bandwidth. Handles 4K at 30Hz or 1080p at 144Hz. Common on older hardware.
HDMI 2.0: 18 Gbps. 4K at 60Hz with HDR, or 1440p at 144Hz. Still found on many current GPUs and monitors.
HDMI 2.1: 48 Gbps. 4K at 144Hz, 8K at 60Hz, native VRR support (FreeSync and G-Sync over HDMI). Required for next-gen console gaming at full specs. Look for the HDMI 2.1 logo specifically - some manufacturers label 2.0 ports as "HDMI 2.1" in marketing copy.
DisplayPort versions
DisplayPort 1.2: 21.6 Gbps. 4K at 60Hz, 1440p at 144Hz, or 1080p at 240Hz. Daisy-chaining multiple monitors supported.
DisplayPort 1.4: 32.4 Gbps with DSC compression. 4K at 144Hz, or even 8K at 60Hz using Display Stream Compression. The most common standard on current gaming monitors.
DisplayPort 2.0/2.1: 80 Gbps. Overkill for today but future-proof. 4K at 240Hz uncompressed, or 8K at 165Hz. Only available on latest-generation hardware.
USB-C and Thunderbolt
USB-C cables carry DisplayPort Alt Mode. Which DisplayPort version depends on the device:
Watch out: Not all USB-C cables carry video. Cables must be rated for the bandwidth you need. A cheap USB-C cable may charge your device but transmit no display signal.
Practical recommendations
Checking your resolution and refresh rate
After connecting, use the Screen Info tool to verify what resolution and refresh rate your OS actually detected. This confirms your cable is delivering the full spec.