Frequently asked questions
What cable do I need for 4K 120Hz?
To run a display at 4K (3840×2160) at 120Hz, you need either: HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps bandwidth, required for 4K 120Hz uncompressed), or DisplayPort 1.4 (32.4 Gbps, supports 4K 120Hz with DSC compression, or 4K 60Hz without). HDMI 2.0 (18 Gbps) maxes out at 4K 60Hz. Verify that your cable is certified to the correct version — most cheap "4K" cables are actually HDMI 2.0 or lower.
What is the difference between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1?
HDMI 2.0 provides 18 Gbps bandwidth, supporting up to 4K 60Hz or 1440p 144Hz. HDMI 2.1 provides 48 Gbps, enabling 4K 120Hz, 4K 144Hz, 8K 60Hz, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for gaming. For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X gaming at 4K 120fps, your TV or monitor and the cable both need HDMI 2.1.
Can my GPU output to two monitors with different refresh rates?
Yes — modern GPUs handle multiple monitors on independent display engines, so each can run at its native resolution and refresh rate simultaneously. The GPU's display output count (typically 4 on desktop cards) and available ports determine the maximum number of displays. Mixing DisplayPort and HDMI outputs on the same GPU works fine; the monitors do not need to share the same resolution or refresh rate.
What is G-Sync vs FreeSync, and does it affect cable choice?
G-Sync (NVIDIA proprietary) and FreeSync / AMD FreeSync Premium (AMD, also supported by NVIDIA as G-Sync Compatible on many monitors) are variable refresh rate technologies that eliminate screen tearing. They operate over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1 — no special cable beyond the version requirements above. G-Sync hardware modules are embedded in the monitor; FreeSync is a software standard. A G-Sync monitor works with AMD GPUs but without VRR sync.