Can DisplayPort 2.1 support uncompressed 8K 60Hz? Bandwidth analysis
8K 60 HDR is the second flagship mode UHBR 20 was built for. For creators working at 8K or display installations needing uncompromised signal fidelity, it's the interface tier that matters.
8K at 60 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 HDR needs 62.1 Gbps. That's a bit less than 4K 240 Hz HDR (68.6 Gbps), even though both modes push the same number of active pixels, because blanking takes a smaller share of the 8K 60 Hz signal. DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR 20 handles it natively with roughly 20% headroom to spare.
By TechCompare · Updated
Interface Bandwidth Analysis
See how much uncompressed and compressed bandwidth this resolution and refresh rate mode demands, compared to HDMI and DisplayPort connections.
DSC uses visually lossless 3-to-1 compression, shrinking the required bandwidth so it fits through older cables.
Other connections
Assumes display traffic only and four DisplayPort lanes for USB-C. USB4 and Thunderbolt figures are for one DisplayPort stream.
Calculator
Display Bandwidth Calculator
Required Bandwidth
Uncompressed
62.06 Gbps
With DSC (Display Stream Compression)
16.55 Gbps
Interface Compatibility
HDMI
DisplayPort
Other connections
Assumes one display with no USB or PCIe data sharing. USB-C uses all four DisplayPort lanes. USB4 and Thunderbolt use the DisplayPort profile listed. The 120 Gbps modes add bandwidth for multiple streams, while one DP 2.1 UHBR 20 stream stays at 77.37 Gbps. Compare checks each display separately.
USB-C
Thunderbolt
USB4
How this is calculated
UHBR 13.5 (52.22 Gbps) and UHBR 10 (38.69 Gbps) can't reach 10-bit 4:4:4 at this mode uncompressed. On UHBR 13.5, 10-bit 4:2:2 fits at 41.4 Gbps, while 10-bit 4:2:0 fits at 31.0 Gbps. With CVT-RB v2 timing, dropping only to 8-bit 4:4:4 needs 49.6 Gbps, which also fits UHBR 13.5 with about 2.6 Gbps to spare. HDMI 2.1 has a 42.6 Gbps effective ceiling. It can carry 10-bit 4:2:0, but full-chroma 8K 60 needs DSC.
Verdict
8K at 60 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 HDR needs 62.1 Gbps, a bit less than 4K 240 Hz HDR even though both push the same active pixels, because blanking takes a smaller share of the 8K 60 Hz signal. DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR 20 (77.37 Gbps) handles it natively with about 20% headroom. UHBR 13.5 (52.22 Gbps) can't carry 10-bit 4:4:4, but it fits 8-bit 4:4:4 at 49.6 Gbps, 10-bit 4:2:2 at 41.4 Gbps, or 4:2:0 at 31.0 Gbps. HDMI 2.1's 42.6 Gbps effective rate also needs DSC for full-chroma 8K 60, though 10-bit 4:2:0 fits natively. For uncompromised 10-bit 4:4:4, UHBR 20 and HDMI 2.2 (85.33 Gbps) are the consumer interface tiers with enough bandwidth.
More DisplayPort 2.1 scenarios
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Which connector supports uncompressed 8K 60Hz HDR?
Is DisplayPort 2.1 the only consumer display interface that does 8K 60 Hz uncompressed?
Does any commercially available monitor accept uncompressed 8K 60 Hz from DisplayPort 2.1?
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