Here's how to identify every important cable for use with computer monitors.
HDMI
Credit: Wollgord Use it for: Connecting TVs and computer displays to PCs, gaming consoles and other larger devices
If you have a choice, select it instead of: DVI, VGA, component video
It adapts to: VGA, DVI
The standard connector for most audio-visual applications over the past decade or so, HDMI was the first cable to efficiently bundle audio and video for devices like PCs and gaming consoles to send to a display.
While most gaming monitors today will feature an HDMI port as standard, make sure you check the HDMI version of your monitor and device if you are looking for a refresh rate above 60hz - most monitors today will support at least HDMI 1.4, which can output 144hz at 1080p. If you’re after a higher resolution, make sure your devices and cable support HDMI 2.0 and up.
Where to buy? Amazon
USB-C /Thunderbolt 3
Credit: Trebleet Use it for: Connecting laptops and devices to larger monitors
It's similar in performance and use to: HDMI, Thunderbolt 2
It adapts to: DVI, VGA, HDMI, Thunderbolt 2
With its thin form factor and all-in-one (power, data, video/audio) capabilities, USB-C is becoming the port of choice on laptops looking to stay on the cutting edge as well as the standard on mobile devices. Plenty of third-party adapter options exist to match this port to any existing tech and its rapid uptake means that if you don’t know by now, you need to check out our primer.
USB-C is the prevalent port option on new Apple computers and is gaining traction on laptop PCs, with their adoption of Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 standard allowing Thunderbolt-equipped USB-C ports to push graphics to two 60hz monitors, or one at 120 hz.
Thunderbolt 3 (signified by a thunderbolt logo as opposed to the traditional USB logo for USB-C) is capable of transmitting data up to four times faster than USB 3.1, and bundles the full DisplayPort AV standard along with its other capabilities. While less widespread for gaming due to the average refresh rates, Thunderbolt is one of the few standards capable of delivering 60hz.
Where to buy? Amazon
DisplayPort
Use it for: Connecting recent computers and AV components to displays
If you have a choice, select it instead of: VGA
It's similar in performance and use to: HDMI
It adapts to: DVI and VGA (pass-through signal); Mini-DisplayPort; HDMI
Add more ports by: Connecting a switchbox; upgrading your graphics card
Similar to HDMI, DisplayPort carries both digital audio and digital video signals. While not as widely used on televisions as HDMI, DisplayPort is designed to support higher resolutions and refresh rates out of the box and thus features alongside HDMI as standard on modern gaming monitors.
DisplayPort also supports HDCP copy protection, as the other digital signal options do - a silent requirement for most copyrighted video streaming content today.
Where to buy? Amazon
Mini DisplayPort /Thunderbolt 2
Credit: Startech Use it for: Connecting small devices to displays
If you have a choice, select it instead of: VGA
It's similar in performance and use to: DisplayPort, HDMI
It adapts to: DVI and VGA (pass-through signal); DisplayPort; HDMI
A small version of DisplayPort designed by Apple, this connection is most often found on previous generation Apple laptops. Mini DisplayPort is generally being phased out as USB Type-C gains popularity, due to its aforementioned combination of the DisplayPort signal for video and audio with the ability to transmit power.
Mini DisplayPort is also the form factor used for Thunderbolt 2, which was prevalent on the previous-gen Retina Macbook Pro and other Apple laptops. Thunderbolt 2 ( signified by a Mini DisplayPort with a thunderbolt logo) ups the data transfer rate of Mini DisplayPort to 20GB/s, comfortably allowing for 4K streaming.
Where to buy? Amazon
