Can DisplayPort 2.1 support uncompressed 8K 60Hz? Bandwidth analysis

8K at 60 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 HDR needs 66.9 Gbps, the same bandwidth as 4K 240 Hz HDR, because total pixel throughput is what determines the signal requirement. DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR 20 handles it natively with roughly 13% headroom to spare.

Required bandwidth
66.9 Gbps
Uncompressed
With DSC
17.8 Gbps
Visually lossless 3:1
Mode
7680×4320 @ 60 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 Signal66.9 Gbps
With Display Stream Compression (DSC)17.8 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
✗ Not supported
DP 1.4
25.9 Gbps
⚠ DSC required
HDMI 2.1
42.6 Gbps
⚠ DSC required
DP 2.1 (UHBR 20)
77.4 Gbps
✓ Native support
Display Mode: 7680 × 4320 @ 60 Hz
Color depth: 10-bit 4:4:4

Calculator

Display Bandwidth Calculator

W
H

Required Bandwidth

Uncompressed

66.89 Gbps

With DSC (Display Stream Compression)

17.84 Gbps

Interface Compatibility

HDMI 1.4
✗ Incompatible
HDMI 2.0
✗ Incompatible
HDMI 2.1 (48G)
DSC Required
HDMI 2.2 (96G)
✓ Native
DisplayPort 1.2
✗ Incompatible
DisplayPort 1.4
DSC Required
DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR 10)
DSC Required
DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR 13.5)
DSC Required
DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR 20)
✓ Native

How this is calculated

UHBR 13.5 (52.22 Gbps) and UHBR 10 (38.69 Gbps) can't reach this mode uncompressed. You'd need DSC, 4:2:2 chroma, or an 8-bit SDR fallback to 53.5 Gbps (which UHBR 13.5 just manages). HDMI 2.1 at 40.1 Gbps real throughput requires DSC for 8K 60 in any color mode. UHBR 20 and HDMI 2.2 (85.33 Gbps) are the only interfaces carrying 8K 60 HDR uncompressed today.

Verdict

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.

More DisplayPort 2.1 scenarios

Frequently asked questions

Which connector supports uncompressed 8K 60Hz HDR?
Only DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR 20 (and newer specifications) supports 8K 60Hz at full 10-bit HDR without using compression algorithms.