When it comes to gaming, the experience is only as good as the equipment you use. And while a high-end graphics card or processor is important, if you don’t have a good monitor to display your games on, you’re not going to get the most out of your system.
One of the most important components of any gaming setup is the monitor. Not only do you need one that has a high resolution and fast response rate, but you also need to make sure that it has an HDMI port so that you can take advantage of all the features that your graphics card has to offer.
In this article, we will take a look at what makes an HDMI port ideal for gaming.
1. What to look for in a gaming monitor
When you are looking for a gaming monitor, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration.
- The most important thing is the resolution. A higher resolution will mean that you can see more detail in your games.
- The monitor has a fast response time. This is measured in milliseconds, and the lower the number, the better. A fast response time will mean that there is less input lag, which is the delay between when you make a move and when it appears on the screen.
- The last important thing to look for is whether or not the monitor has G-Sync or FreeSync.
These are technologies that help to reduce screen tearing, which is when part of the image is displayed on one frame, and part of it is displayed on the next.
2. The different types of HDMI ports
Now that we know what to look for in a gaming monitor, let’s take a look at the different types of HDMI ports that are available.
HDMI 1.4:
HDMI 1.4 is the most common type of HDMI port, and it is found on most monitors. It supports resolutions up to 4096×2160, which is known as 4K. It also supports 3D content and audio return channel.
HDMI 2.0
HDMI 2.0 is the next step up from HDMI 1.4. It supports resolutions up to 4096×2160, which is still 4K. However, it also supports higher refresh rates, so it is ideal for gamers who want the smoothest possible experience.
HDMI 2.1
HDMI 2.1 is the newest type of HDMI port, and it is found on the latest monitors. It supports resolutions up to 8K, which is twice as high as 4K. It also supports higher refresh rates and lower input lag.
3. Which HDMI port is best for gaming?
So, which HDMI port is best for gaming? That depends on what you need.
If you are looking for the best possible image quality, then you will want to go with HDMI 2.1. It supports the highest resolutions and gives you the best image quality.
For the best possible gaming experience, you will want to go with HDMI 2.0. It has a fast response time and supports higher refresh rates, which will give you a smoother gaming experience.
If you just need an HDMI port for gaming and don’t need the best possible image quality or gaming experience, then you can go with HDMI 1.4. It is the most common type of HDMI port and it will work for most gamers.
4. The Benefits of an HDMI Port
There are a few benefits that come with using an HDMI port for gaming.
- The benefit is that it gives you the best possible image quality. HDMI 2.1 supports resolutions up to 8K, so you will be able to see more detail in your games than ever before.
- It has a fast response time. This means that there will be less input lag, which is the delay between when you make a move and when it appears on the screen.
- HSMI port supports higher refresh rates. It means that your games will be smoother and you will have a better gaming experience.
5. How to Choose the Right HDMI Cable
Now that you know which HDMI port is best for gaming, you need to choose the right HDMI cable.
- The thing to do is to check the resolution of your monitor. If it is a 4K monitor, then you will need an HDMI 2.0 cable. If it is an 8K monitor, then you will need an HDMI 2.1 cable.
- 2nd thing to do is to check the refresh rate of your monitor. If it is a 60Hz monitor, then you will need an HDMI 1.4 cable. If it is a 144Hz monitor, then you will need an HDMI 2.0 cable.
- A final thing to do is to check the input lag of your monitor. If it is a low input lag monitor, then you will need an HDMI 2.0 cable.
Conclusion:
In the end, the best HDMI port for gaming is the one that meets your needs. If you need the best image quality, then you should go with HDMI 2.1. If you need the best gaming experience, then you should go with HDMI 2.0. And if you just need an HDMI port for gaming, then you can go with HDMI 1.4. There are many other types of HDMI ports, but these are the three most common.
