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What Is DisplayPort 2.1?

With new specifications aroun d you may be wondering what DP 2.1 is

Updated: Dec 7, 2022 4:51 pm
What Is DisplayPort 2.1?

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Suppose you enjoy 4K or 8K graphics with a fast frame rate. In that case, you’ll need a connection and port to manage the enormous quantity of data delivered from your PC to your monitor. This is where DisplayPort 2.1 comes into play.

It should be noted that DisplayPort 2.0 has been replaced with the more recent DisplayPort 2.1 specification. Therefore, all previous DP 2.0 devices are now also DP 2.1 certified. There are no structural modifications made to the ports or cables of the new DisplayPort 2.1.

Instead, it concentrates on enhancing USB4 compatibility and DisplayPort over USB Type-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode). USB-C and USB4 are separate standards created by the USB Implementers Forum and are anticipated to be implemented by most devices in the upcoming years.

Therefore, DisplayPort 2.1 is compatible with any device or product that previously supported DisplayPort 2.0. To be certified for DisplayPort 2.1, manufacturers must adhere to its specifications, according to VESA’s clarification to Ars Technica.

The Display standard is now more effective when used with USB, despite the fact that these additions do not raise its maximum resolution or refresh rate.

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DisplayPort 2.1 includes mandatory compatibility for VESA’s Display Stream Compression (DSC) and Panel Replay technologies and bandwidth management.

Additionally, DP40 and DP80 cables must function at maximum capacity at lengths greater than 2m (6.6 ft) and 1m (3.3 ft), respectively, in order to be certified for use with DisplayPort 2.1 devices. It just seems logical that VESA would want to ensure that its standards are compatible with this port, given its rising prevalence.

Although there is no need to think about DP 2.1 just now because DP 1.4 with DSC can already give extremely high resolutions and refresh rates (4K 240Hz 10-bit, 1440p 500Hz+ 10-bit, etc.), however, we have seen customers wait to replace their GPUs or monitors until DP 2.1 is out.

This new spec is the first to come out in the AMD RDNA 3 cards. These are set to release in mid-December but the new compatible monitors are yet to come. With a hint of them coming in early 2023.


With a background in engineering and PC gaming, Seb is a staff writer with a focus on GPU, storage, and power supplies. Also one of tech supports in the office he likes helping and solving problems.

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