Cable Matters Computers & Networking
Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort Roundup: Matching Your Display Workflow
Connecting a laptop or desktop to an external display requires choosing a physical connection that matches your visual workflow. A dedicated cable matters usb c to displayport solution links host machines directly to monitors through DisplayPort Alternate Mode, bypassing dock limitations to ensure full refresh rates, proper HDR metadata, and minimal latency. For creative editors…
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Connecting a laptop or desktop to an external display requires choosing a physical connection that matches your visual workflow. A dedicated cable matters usb c to displayport solution links host machines directly to monitors through DisplayPort Alternate Mode, bypassing dock limitations to ensure full refresh rates, proper HDR metadata, and minimal latency. For creative editors and gamers, choosing the right cable guarantees your monitor runs at its intended performance ceiling without dropped frames or handshake instability.
This cable matters usb c to displayport comparison evaluates six models from the brand across critical performance tiers. These six selections vary in maximum video bandwidth, signal directionality, and physical form factor. The lineup includes four male-to-male cables supporting DisplayPort 1.4 up to cutting-edge DisplayPort 2.1 speeds—including a bi-directional model—alongside two compact adapters built for modular workstations and mobile production.
Which Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort Cables Should You Buy
All 6 models on this page, side by side
Prices and ratings are read from the Amazon product listing and change there, not here. Every rating is the average left by Amazon buyers, not a score from this site.
Why each one is on the list
Best for Traveling creators and mobile iPad editors
Pros
- Foldable cable wraps around housing
- Ultra-light 0.02 kilogram weight
- Supports 4K at 240Hz with HDR
Cons
- DisplayPort 1.4 speed ceiling
- Short tethered cable reach
Best for Gamers wanting VESA certified high refresh
Pros
- Official VESA DP40 certification
- 40Gbps DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth
- Supports up to 4K at 480Hz
Cons
- Unidirectional signal flow
- Incompatible with DisplayPort KVM switches
- Office productivity, dual-monitor daisy chaining, and 4K 240Hz displays: choose the Cable Matters Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable.
- High-refresh 4K 480Hz or 8K 120Hz gaming setups requiring VESA certification: select the Cable Matters VESA Certified 40Gbps USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable.
- Connecting a desktop GPU DisplayPort output to a USB-C screen like Apple Studio Display: choose the Cable Matters 40Gbps Bidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable.
- High-bandwidth 8K 165Hz editing workstations requiring UHBR13.5 speeds: pick the Cable Matters 54Gbps USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable.
- Modular desktop rigs needing up to 80Gbps UHBR20 throughput with existing cables: opt for the Cable Matters 80Gbps Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Adapter.
- Field editors and mobile creators needing a pocketable folding dongle: choose the Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Adapter.
01 Cable Matters Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable
Best for Standard 4K and 8K desktop workstations
Pros
- Up to 4K at 240Hz and 8K
- Multi-Stream Transport daisy chaining
- Locking DisplayPort connector latch
Cons
- Unidirectional video path only
- Limited to DisplayPort 1.4 bandwidth
The Cable Matters Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable provides a direct physical connection between modern host computers and high-performance monitors. Measuring six feet, this cable links USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, or Thunderbolt 5 laptops directly to DisplayPort 1.4 displays. It supports video output up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz, making it an effective choice for content creation and high-refresh gaming. While television setups often rely on an anker usb-c to hdmi cable, DisplayPort remains the standard for desktop monitors supporting variable refresh rates and Multi-Stream Transport daisy chaining.
Compatibility covers popular laptops like MacBook Pro, Dell XPS, and HP EliteBook, alongside monitors like the Dell UltraSharp U3223QE, LG 27GP950-B, and Samsung Odyssey G7 or G9. The cable features a low-profile USB-C connector and locking DisplayPort latches that prevent accidental disconnections. This cable matters usb c to displayport 1.4 model is strictly unidirectional from a USB-C or Thunderbolt host to a DisplayPort display. It does not work in reverse, nor does it support HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, or portable USB-C monitors.
- Supports resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 240Hz
- Multi-Stream Transport support for daisy-chaining and 7.1 audio
- Locking DisplayPort connector latch paired with low-profile USB-C plug
02 Cable Matters VESA Certified 40Gbps USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable
When your setup exceeds the limits of DisplayPort 1.4, the Cable Matters VESA Certified 40Gbps USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable provides guaranteed high-bandwidth transmission. Measuring 6.6 feet, this male-to-male cable is officially VESA Certified to meet the DisplayPort 2.1 standard. It operates with UHBR10 transmission up to 40Gbps across a 40 GHz operational frequency, making it an exceptional match for creators and competitive gamers driving visual modes up to 8K at 120Hz, 4K at 480Hz, or 4K at 240Hz.
Constructed with reinforced materials for daily studio use, this vesa certified usb c to displayport cable features a 24-pin design engineered for stable signal transmission. It links USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 5 machines—such as MacBook Pro, Dell XPS, and HP EliteBook—directly to DisplayPort monitors with enhanced audio and video output. This cable matters usb c to displayport 2.1 model operates unidirectionally from a USB-C computer with DisplayPort Alt Mode to a DisplayPort monitor, and does not function with portable USB-C monitors or DisplayPort KVM switches.
- Official VESA Certified DP40 specification delivering up to 40Gbps bandwidth
- Supports high refresh rates up to 8K at 120Hz and 4K at 480Hz
- Reinforced 6.6-foot cable construction for dependable indoor workstation use
03 Cable Matters 40Gbps Bidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable
Best for Routing desktop GPUs to USB-C displays
Pros
- True bidirectional signal transmission
- 40Gbps DP40 UHBR10 speeds
- Braided jacket and aluminum housings
Cons
- No USB data or power delivery
- Host must support DP Alt Mode
Standard video cables transmit in a single direction, but the Cable Matters 40Gbps Bidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable provides essential two-way routing. This six-foot cable can connect a USB-C or Thunderbolt laptop to a DisplayPort monitor, or reversed to connect a DisplayPort GPU on a desktop to a USB-C monitor. This bidirectional flexibility makes it invaluable for creators running displays like the Apple Studio Display or standalone USB-C monitors with dedicated Type-C video inputs.
Built to the DP 2.1 DP40 standard, the cable delivers up to 40Gbps video bandwidth via UHBR10 transmission, supporting resolutions up to 8K at 120Hz and 4K at 480Hz. The exterior features a durable braided jacket paired with aluminum connector housings and a locking latch on the DisplayPort end. This cable matters 40gbps bidirectional usb c cable carries video only without USB data or Power Delivery. A desktop DisplayPort source cannot power portable USB-C monitors, AR glasses, or VR headsets, so connected USB-C displays must feature independent power.
- Bi-directional signal routing between DisplayPort and USB-C hardware
- DisplayPort 2.1 DP40 UHBR10 support delivering up to 40Gbps bandwidth
- Braided exterior jacket and aluminum connector housings with locking latch
04 Cable Matters 54Gbps USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable
Best for Extreme 8K workstations and competitive gaming
Pros
- 54Gbps DP54 UHBR13.5 bandwidth
- Supports 8K up to 165Hz
- Secure locking DisplayPort latch
Cons
- Unidirectional signal flow only
- Requires DP 2.1 host for max modes
Workstations demanding bandwidth beyond the 40Gbps tier can turn to the Cable Matters 54Gbps USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable for an elevated transmission ceiling. Built to the DP 2.1 DP54 standard with UHBR13.5 transmission, this six-foot cable provides up to 54Gbps of video bandwidth. This increased data capacity enables visual output up to 8K at 165Hz, 4K at 480Hz, and 4K at 240Hz on supported hardware, making it well-suited for high-framerate video editing and gaming setups.
This cable matters 54gbps usb c to displayport cable links computers equipped with USB-C, USB4, Thunderbolt 4, or Thunderbolt 5 to dedicated DisplayPort monitors. Pairing high-bandwidth video with dependable host connections like cable matters thunderbolt 4 hardware ensures a robust creative workstation. The cable is backward compatible with DP40, DisplayPort 1.4, and DisplayPort 1.2 hardware, and supports Multi-Stream Transport for compatible daisy-chained display setups. It is unidirectional and features a locking DisplayPort latch for physical stability.
- DP 2.1 DP54 specification delivering up to 54Gbps video bandwidth
- Supports visual ceilings up to 8K at 165Hz and 4K at 480Hz
- Multi-Stream Transport support for compatible daisy-chained display arrays
05 Cable Matters 80Gbps Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Adapter
Best for Pro studios needing maximum adapter bandwidth
Pros
- Full 80Gbps UHBR20 DisplayPort 2.1
- Durable compact metal housing
- Driverless plug-and-play setup
Cons
- Requires separate DisplayPort cable
- Unidirectional source connection only
Workstations operating at the cutting edge of visual fidelity require maximum bandwidth. The Cable Matters 80Gbps Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Adapter unlocks the highest bandwidth tier in the collection, providing up to 80Gbps of throughput. This massive data channel allows the adapter to drive visuals up to 16K at 60Hz, 8K at 240Hz, and 4K at 960Hz on compatible next-generation hardware.
Crafted with a durable premium metal housing, this cable matters 80gbps usb c adapter manages heat efficiently during intensive rendering and color work. Weighing just 0.03 kilograms, it integrates easily into travel kits or desktop patch setups without adding clutter. Unlike legacy solutions such as cable matters thunderbolt 2 adapters, this unit relies on modern DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C. Because this is an adapter, you supply your own DisplayPort cable to reach the screen. It is unidirectional from the USB-C source to the monitor.
- Supports up to 80Gbps video bandwidth under the DisplayPort 2.1 standard
- Enables resolutions up to 16K at 60Hz and high-refresh 8K at 240Hz
- Premium metal housing enhances durability and passive heat dissipation
06 Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Adapter
For creators and mobile professionals who travel light, carrying a full-length video cable can create unnecessary bulk. The Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Adapter features an innovative foldable design tailored for portability. Its short tethered pigtail cable wraps neatly around the sleek black case, creating a pocketable unit measuring 2.01 by 1.22 by 0.47 inches and weighing just 0.02 kilograms. It instantly converts any compatible USB-C port into a full DisplayPort connection.
Despite its compact footprint, the adapter delivers full DisplayPort 1.4 performance, supporting 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 240Hz with HDR and uncompressed RGB 4:4:4 color support. It functions smoothly with USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 laptops with 11th Gen Intel CPUs or newer, alongside Nvidia GeForce RTX 4000 series and AMD Radeon RX 7000 series graphics cards. This usb c to displayport monitor cable adapter is strictly unidirectional from the USB-C device to the monitor, making it an ideal travel tool for mobile editing on an iPad Pro, iPhone 15, or laptop.
- Pocket-sized adapter with a foldable tethered cable that wraps around the body
- Supports 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 240Hz with HDR and full RGB 4:4:4 color
- Ultra-lightweight 0.02 kilogram build easily fits into mobile gear pouches
What Sets These Models Apart
| Model | Bandwidth / Standard | Directionality | Form Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Matters Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable | DisplayPort 1.4 (HBR3) | Unidirectional (USB-C to DP) | 6ft standalone cable |
| Cable Matters VESA Certified 40Gbps USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable | 40Gbps DP 2.1 (DP40 / UHBR10) | Unidirectional (USB-C to DP) | 6.6ft standalone cable |
| Cable Matters 40Gbps Bidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable | 40Gbps DP 2.1 (DP40 / UHBR10) | Bi-directional (USB-C <-> DP) | 6ft braided standalone cable |
| Cable Matters 54Gbps USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable | 54Gbps DP 2.1 (DP54 / UHBR13.5) | Unidirectional (USB-C to DP) | 6ft standalone cable |
| Cable Matters 80Gbps Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Adapter | 80Gbps DP 2.1 (UHBR20) | Unidirectional (USB-C to DP) | Compact metal adapter dongle |
| Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Adapter | DisplayPort 1.4 (HBR3) | Unidirectional (USB-C to DP) | Foldable travel adapter dongle |
Buying Tips for Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort Cables
Determining which cable matters usb c to displayport to buy begins with matching your monitor resolution and refresh rate to the appropriate bandwidth rating. Standard DisplayPort 1.4 cables comfortably handle 4K at 144Hz, 4K at 240Hz, or 8K at 60Hz. If you drive displays with refresh rates of 4K at 480Hz or 8K at 120Hz and beyond, stepping up to a DisplayPort 2.1 cable rated for 40Gbps, 54Gbps, or an 80Gbps adapter is essential to avoid dropped frames or restricted color depth.
Directionality is another vital consideration. Five of the six products here are strictly unidirectional, routing video only from a USB-C or Thunderbolt host computer to a DisplayPort monitor. If you need to route a desktop graphics card DisplayPort output to an Apple Studio Display or another monitor with USB-C video input, the bidirectional DP40 cable is the only model suited for the task. Note that DisplayPort cables carry video and audio only; they do not supply USB data or USB-C Power Delivery charging.
Finally, consider workstation layout and port safety. Full-length cables reduce desk clutter, while compact adapters let you leverage existing DisplayPort cables. When disconnecting any Cable Matters DisplayPort cable with a locking connector, always depress the release latch button before pulling to protect internal pins and your hardware ports.
FAQ
Which Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort cable should I buy for 4K 240Hz gaming?
For standard 4K 240Hz gaming monitors, the Cable Matters Unidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable provides sufficient bandwidth via Display Stream Compression. If you want official VESA certification and extra headroom for uncompressed signals or future 4K 480Hz displays, the VESA Certified 40Gbps DP 2.1 cable is the recommended choice.
Can a Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort cable work in reverse?
Most models in this lineup are strictly unidirectional from a USB-C source to a DisplayPort display. The Cable Matters 40Gbps Bidirectional USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 Cable is the sole exception, connecting a desktop GPU DisplayPort output to a USB-C display that accepts DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
Does a Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort cable provide power to portable monitors?
No. Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort cables and adapters transfer video and audio streams only. They do not carry USB data or Power Delivery charging. Any connected USB-C monitor must have an independent external power supply to operate.
What is the difference between DP40, DP54, and 80Gbps DisplayPort 2.1 options?
These labels refer to transmission speed tiers in the DisplayPort 2.1 standard: DP40 operates at UHBR10 (up to 40Gbps), DP54 operates at UHBR13.5 (up to 54Gbps), and the 80Gbps adapter operates at UHBR20. Higher bandwidth tiers enable faster refresh rates at extreme resolutions like 8K at 165Hz or 16K at 60Hz.
Do Cable Matters DisplayPort cables and adapters require driver installation?
No. None of these Cable Matters cables or adapters require custom drivers or software. They operate as hardware bridges using the native DisplayPort Alternate Mode protocols built into compatible USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt ports.
