The new HDMI 2.2 and DisplayPort 2.1b standards bring important evolutions for gamers, including better refresh rates. While gaming monitor manufacturers have embarked on a frantic race for hertz, these new standards are also designed with the future in mind. What concrete improvements do they bring, and how do they change the gaming experience?
HDMI 2.2: double the bandwidth for smoother games
With a bandwidth ranging from 48 Gbps to 96 Gbps, HDMI 2.2 enables very high definition and refresh rates. This means it’s technically possible to play in 4K at 480Hz, 8K at 240Hz and 12K at 120Hz. Another major advantage is that this additional bandwidth enables the transmission of other information, such as high-resolution audio and dynamic information for HDR.
Although today’s graphics cards are not yet fully capable of achieving such performance, this new standard looks to the future. However, what is of immediate interest is the new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) technology, which has a major impact on gaming. This system is designed to better synchronize sound and image. For gamers using a soundbar or a home theater connected via eARC, this innovation corrects sound desynchronization that can disrupt immersion. As a result, in-game sound events are more accurate.
DisplayPort 2.1b: longer cables for PC gamers
The DisplayPort 2.1b standard, also made official in early 2025 by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), does not change the maximum data rate, which remains at 80 Gbps. However, this new standard introduces active cables, named DP80LL (DisplayPort 80 Low Loss). These can now be up to 3 meters long (compared to 1 meter for DisplayPort 2.1a).
UHBR (Ultra-High Bit Rate) transmission mode
| Cable type | Bandwidth | Maximum length |
| DP40 | 40 Gbps | 2 meters (passive) |
| DP80 | 80 Gbps | 1 meter (passive) |
| DP80LL | 80 Gbps | 3 meters (active) |
UHBR (Ultra-High Bit Rate) is a specification introduced with DisplayPort 2.0 and carried over into versions 2.1, 2.1a and 2.1b. It defines the bit rates supported by graphics cards and monitors. DSC (Display Stream Compression) reduces the amount of video data transmitted without any visible loss of quality, while optimizing bandwidth.
| UHBR standard | Bitrate | Max. resolution | Max. DSC resolution |
| UHBR10 | 40 Gbps | 240Hz 4K | 8K 60Hz |
| UHBR13.5 | 54 Gbps | 360Hz 4K | 85Hz 8K |
| UHBR20 | 80 Gbps | 480Hz 4K | 165Hz 8K |
Because nothing is simple with the VESA organization, the DisplayPort 2.1b standard does not systematically guarantee a maximum data rate of 80 gigabits per second (UHBR20). A device equipped with DisplayPort 2.1b may well be limited to UHBR10 (40 Gbps) transmission mode, depending on its internal specifications. This means you need to check the device’s capabilities before purchase.
The latest HDMI 2.2 and DisplayPort 2.1b standards are great news for gamers. They will considerably improve refresh rates on monitors and TVs in the near future. Increased bandwidth also paves the way for new features, as well as superior image and sound quality. The new RTX 5000 graphics cards coming onto the market are equipped with DisplayPort 2.1b, which should encourage manufacturers of gaming displays to rapidly offer compatible models.
