Monitor ports and cables: what you need

The short version

For 4K at 60Hz you need HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 or later. For 1440p at 144Hz and above, use DisplayPort. USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode can drive the screen and charge a laptop on monitors that support it.

Used-specific gotchas

Used monitors are often sold without the original cable or power brick. Older HDMI cables may cap refresh rates. Budget for a certified cable if one isn't included.

• List the monitor's inputs before buying
• Check your graphics card's or laptop's outputs
• Confirm a power supply is included (many are external bricks)

Which port is this?

Match the shape you see on your laptop or monitor.

• HDMI

  Wide, flat, both lower corners angled in. The common TV and monitor port.

• Mini HDMI

  A smaller HDMI with the same angled lower corners. Cameras and some tablets.

• Micro HDMI

  Tiny, about the size of micro USB, slightly flared at the base. Action cameras, Raspberry Pi 4/5.

• DisplayPort

  Like HDMI but with just one corner cut off. Usually has a latch, so press the button to unplug.

• Mini DisplayPort

  Small, both lower corners angled. Older MacBooks (it looks like Thunderbolt 1/2), Surface, workstation cards.

• USB-C

  Small rounded oval that plugs in either way up. Only some USB-C ports carry video.

• USB-A

  The classic flat rectangle with a plastic block inside. Data and power, never video.

• USB-B

  Squarish with two top corners cut. On monitors it feeds the built-in USB hub from the computer.

• DVI-D

  Large and white, 3 rows of square pins and a flat blade on one side. Older PCs and monitors.

• VGA

  Blue trapezoid with 15 round pins in three rows. Analogue, so it needs an active converter to HDMI.

Browse: Gaming & high refresh, 4K monitors