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DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC: what it does and what it can drive

By TechCompare · Updated · How we check

Yes, with DSC. DisplayPort 1.4 can't carry 4K 240 Hz 10-bit raw at 68.6 Gbps, but the compressed signal needs 18.3 Gbps. The GPU and the monitor both have to support DSC, over a cable that can carry the full DP 1.4 link rate.

Interface Bandwidth Analysis

See how much uncompressed and compressed bandwidth this resolution and refresh rate mode demands, compared to HDMI and DisplayPort connections.

Uncompressed Signal68.6 Gbps
With Display Stream Compression (DSC)18.3 Gbps

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

Display Connection Reference
HDMI 2.0
14.4 Gbps
Not supported
HDMI 2.1 48G
42.6 Gbps
DSC required
HDMI 2.2 96G
85.3 Gbps
Native support
DP 1.4
25.9 Gbps
DSC required
DP 2.1b UHBR 20
77.4 Gbps
Native support
Other connections

Assumes display traffic only and four DisplayPort lanes for USB-C. USB4 and Thunderbolt figures are for one DisplayPort stream.

USB-C DP 1.4
25.9 Gbps
DSC required
Thunderbolt 5
77.4 Gbps
Native support
USB4 v2 80G / 120G
77.4 Gbps
Native support
Display Mode: 3840 × 2160 @ 240 Hz
Color depth: 10-bit 4:4:4
This exact 3840×2160 @ 240 Hz signal, pre-loaded. Swap the resolution, refresh, or chroma, or compare two modes.
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DisplayPort 1.4 moves 25.9 Gbps of picture data. DSC, short for Display Stream Compression, squeezes the signal so modes that don't fit that budget can still use the same link. 4K at 240 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 color is the clearest case. It needs 68.6 Gbps raw and 18.3 Gbps with DSC, so DSC is the only way to run it on DP 1.4.

What DisplayPort 1.4 can drive with and without DSC

ModeWithout DSCWith DSCFits without DSCFits with DSC
1440p 240 Hz, 10-bit30.8 Gbps8.2 GbpsNoYes
1440p 240 Hz, 8-bit24.6 Gbps8.2 GbpsYesYes
4K 144 Hz, 10-bit39.2 Gbps10.4 GbpsNoYes
4K 240 Hz, 10-bit68.6 Gbps18.3 GbpsNoYes

Cables for your display settings

HDMI and DisplayPort cable options for these settings. Choose the connectors your devices support.

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Both device ports must support the required display mode. A cable won't upgrade a port. Options marked DSC require compression support on both devices.

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How this is calculated

This page uses the Bandwidth Calculator's DSC model: the compressed signal carries 8 bits per pixel. At 10-bit color, which is 30 bits per pixel, that's a 3.75 to 1 squeeze. At 8-bit color it's 3 to 1. That's why 1440p at 240 Hz fits without DSC at 8-bit but needs it at 10-bit. VESA, which publishes the standard, describes DSC as visually lossless and low latency. Visually lossless is a quality target for how the picture looks, not a promise that every bit survives. DSC also works only when the whole chain supports it. The GPU has to compress the signal, the monitor has to unpack it, and the cable has to carry the full DP 1.4 link rate. If one of them can't, you're limited to the modes that fit without DSC.

Verdict

Plan on DSC for 4K 240 Hz over DP 1.4. The mode needs 68.6 Gbps raw, and only the compressed 18.3 Gbps signal fits. Before you buy, check that the monitor and the graphics card both list DSC, and use a cable certified for DP 1.4. If you'd rather skip compression, DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR 20 (77.37 Gbps) carries this mode uncompressed.

More DisplayPort 1.4 scenarios

HDMI 2.1: 4K 60 Hz
4K at 60 Hz with 8-bit 4:4:4 color needs 14.3 Gbps of uncompressed bandwidth.
View details
HDMI 2.1: 4K 120 Hz HDR
4K 120 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 color HDR needs 35.6 Gbps, a mode HDMI 2.1 can carry without compression.
View details
HDMI 2.1: 4K 144 Hz HDR
4K 144 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 HDR needs 39.2 Gbps, within 8% of the calculator's effective 42.6 Gbps HDMI 2.1 model.
View details

Related guides

DP 1.4: 1440p 240 Hz HDR
The 1440p mode that needs DSC at 10-bit color and fits without it at 8-bit.
View guide
DP 1.4: 4K 144 Hz HDR
The 4K mode where DSC decides whether DP 1.4 works.
View guide
HDMI 2.1: 4K 240 Hz HDR
The same 4K 240 Hz mode over HDMI 2.1, where DSC decides it too.
View guide
DP 2.1: 4K 240 Hz HDR
The same mode over DisplayPort 2.1, the way to skip compression.
View guide

Frequently asked questions

Does DisplayPort 1.4 support 4K 240 Hz?
Yes, with DSC. The mode needs 68.6 Gbps uncompressed and DisplayPort 1.4 carries 25.9 Gbps, so it only works compressed, at 18.3 Gbps. The GPU and the monitor both have to support DSC.
Is DSC really visually lossless?
VESA, which publishes DSC, describes it as visually lossless and low latency. Visually lossless is a quality target for how the picture looks, not a promise that every bit is identical. The Bandwidth Calculator models the data rate only. It doesn't measure image quality or latency.
What do I need for DSC to work?
Three things: a GPU that can compress the signal, a monitor that can unpack it, and a cable that carries the full DP 1.4 link rate. Check the monitor's spec sheet and the graphics card's display output specs for DSC, not just the DisplayPort version. If one part is missing, you're limited to the modes that fit without DSC.
Do 1440p 240 Hz and 4K 144 Hz need DSC on DisplayPort 1.4?
1440p at 240 Hz with 10-bit color needs DSC, at 30.8 Gbps raw. At 8-bit it fits without DSC, at 24.6 Gbps. 4K at 144 Hz with 10-bit color needs DSC too, at 39.2 Gbps raw.

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