Can DisplayPort 1.4 run 1440p 240Hz? Bandwidth and DSC requirements

1440p at 240 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 HDR color needs 29.7 Gbps, about 15% over DisplayPort 1.4's 25.9 Gbps effective data rate. That's why every DP 1.4 monitor in the 1440p 240 Hz class enables Display Stream Compression (DSC) by default - the interface itself can't carry this mode uncompressed.

Required bandwidth

29.7 Gbps

Uncompressed

With DSC

7.9 Gbps

Visually lossless 3:1

Mode

2560×1440 @ 240 Hz

10-bit 4:4:4

Interface Bandwidth Analysis

See how much uncompressed and compressed bandwidth this resolution and refresh rate mode demands, compared to the native limits of common video cables.

Uncompressed Signal29.7 Gbps

With Display Stream Compression (DSC)7.9 Gbps

DSC uses visually lossless 3-to-1 compression, shrinking the required bandwidth so it fits through older cables.

Cable Limits Reference

HDMI 2.0

14.4 Gbps

⚠ DSC required

DP 1.4

25.9 Gbps

⚠ DSC required

HDMI 2.1

42.6 Gbps

✓ Native support

DP 2.1 (UHBR 20)

77.4 Gbps

✓ Native support

Display Mode: 2560 × 1440 @ 240 Hz

Color depth: 10-bit 4:4:4

Resolution

Refresh Rate: 240 Hz

Color Depth

Chroma

Required Bandwidth

Uncompressed

29.73 Gbps

With DSC (Display Stream Compression)

7.93 Gbps

Interface Compatibility

HDMI 1.4

DSC Required

HDMI 2.0

DSC Required

HDMI 2.1 (48G)

✓ Native

HDMI 2.2 (96G)

✓ Native

DisplayPort 1.2

DSC Required

DisplayPort 1.4

DSC Required

DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR 10)

✓ Native

DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR 13.5)

✓ Native

DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR 20)

✓ Native

How this is calculated

DSC 3:1 compresses the signal to roughly 7.9 Gbps. It's visually lossless at VESA's certified spec, with imperceptible latency added (usually under 1 ms). DP 1.4 + DSC is how essentially every 240 Hz 1440p gaming monitor on the market hits its headline spec. If DSC isn't available (older GPU, cheap cable), the fallback is 8-bit SDR at 23.8 Gbps, which fits natively.

Verdict

29.7 Gbps is just past what DP 1.4 can do raw. DSC is the fix, and with a modern GPU and certified cable it's transparent. If your GPU doesn't support DSC, you'll need a DP 2.1 monitor to get this mode at native fidelity.