I'm getting a new computer monitor this week, and I've been hearing about different qualities of HDMI cables. People say that the ones that come with consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X are better than the standard ones you find with TVs or buy at the store. Is there actually a difference with newer HDMI cables? I understand that compared to older cables from maybe 5-10 years ago there might be a difference, but is it just marketing hype these days for "better quality"? Also, I saw that my new monitor has HDMI 2.0 ports but didn't specify what cable comes in the box.
5 Answers
HDMI is a standard format, meaning if a cable is certified for a particular HDMI version, it should work well for that version's requirements. Just ensure you pick cables that are compatible with your devices.
As long as you avoid the absolute cheapest options, most HDMI cables will work fine for basic needs. The more expensive ones tend to last longer, but performance-wise, they’re pretty similar.
Keep in mind, HDMI carries both sound and video, but many modern monitors also support DisplayPort. Depending on your graphics card and how you're using the monitor, DisplayPort might actually be the better choice.
Since your monitor has HDMI 2.0 ports, you can expect to use cables that are compatible with that standard. Having newer cables won't necessarily improve performance if your monitor can't take advantage of them.
Yeah, there are different types of HDMI cables that support various resolutions and refresh rates. HDMI 2.1 is the latest standard, known as "Ultra High Speed HDMI," which can handle 4K at 120Hz if your monitor supports it. If two cables are labeled with the same speed, there's really no difference in quality, regardless of price.
That's a bit misleading. DisplayPort also supports audio, just like HDMI has for a long time. Unless you're pushing for super high refresh rates like 4K at 240Hz, HDMI 2.1 will cover everything else, even older GPUs support it just fine.