Which display input should you use with your CORSAIR XENEON monitor?

Gaming monitors typically come with two input options as standard: HDMI and DisplayPort. A close look at your GPU will probably reveal both of these options as well. So, which should you use? which is better? Let's take a look.

CORSAIR monitors support the most popular input types that give the best performance for the device you are connecting.

CORSAIR XENEON FLEX 45WQHD240 OLED

• 2x HDMI 2.1
• 1x Display Port 1.4
• 1x USB-C DP-Alt mode with 30W (45WQHD240) Power Delivery

Toggles the number of USB lanes to use on the USB-C port for video*

• 4-Lane Mode allows up to 3440 x 1440 @ 240Hz resolution but reduces the speed of the USB Type-A ports to USB 2.0
• 2-Lane Mode allows for up to 3440 x 1440 @ 60Hz but enables USB Type-A at USB 3.0 speed

CORSAIR XENEON 27QHD240 OLED

• 2x HDMI 2.1
• 1x Display Port 1.4
• 1x USB-C DP-Alt mode with 65W (27QHD240) Power Delivery

Toggles the number of USB lanes to use on the USB-C port for video*

• 4-Lane Mode allows up to 2560 x 1440 @ 240Hz resolution but reduces the speed of the USB Type-A ports to USB 2.0
• 2-Lane Mode allows for up to 2560 x 1440 @ 60Hz but enables USB Type-A at USB 3.0 speed

CORSAIR XENEON 32UHD144

• 2x HDMI 2.1
• 1x Display Port 1.4
• 1x USB-C DP-Alt mode with 15W Power Delivery

Toggles the number of USB lanes to use on the USB-C port for video*

• 4-Lane Mode allows up to 3840x2160@144Hz resolution but reduces the speed of the USB Type-A ports to USB 2.0
• 2-Lane Mode allows for up to 3840x2160@60Hz but enables USB Type-A at USB 3.0 speed

CORSAIR XENEON 32QHD240

• 2x HDMI 2.0
• 1x DisplayPort 1.4
• 1x Type-C DP Alt-Mode with 15W Power Delivery

Toggles the number of USB lanes to use on the USB-C port for video.*

• 4-Lane Mode allows up to 2560x1440@240Hz resolution but reduces the speed of the USB Type-A ports to USB 2.0
• 2-Lane Mode allows for up to 2560x1440@120Hz but enables USB Type-A at USB 3.0 speed

*The USB-C Alt mode operates in "4 lane" mode by default, which allows full DisplayPort resolution over USB-C, but reduces the speed of the USB Type-A ports to USB 2.0 speeds. To use the USB Type-A ports at the fully supported speeds when connected only through the TYPE-C DP ALT input, switch to "2 lane" mode, which limits the supported video output resolution to re-enable the USB Type-A ports for devices connected at USB 3.0 speeds to the monitor's USB Type-A ports. Alternatively, you can connect the source device to both the USB downstream port and the Type-C DP ALT port for full video resolution and USB port functionality. For best results, make sure you're using a high-quality USB Type-C cable that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2.

For a gaming PC, use your monitor's DisplayPort 1.4 input for the highest refresh rate, full native resolution, and HDR capability.

Be sure to use the DisplayPort 1.4 cable that comes with the monitor. The cable is 1.5 meters long, which should work for most setups. If you need a longer cable, make sure it fully supports the DisplayPort 1.4 specification. If you purchase a longer cable, test it for full compatibility at the supported full resolution and refresh rate of the monitor. Also, test it during gaming to see if there are any issues with the content being displayed. If you experience problems with your new cable, it is possible that it does not support DisplayPort 1.4, as there are cables that are sold as fully compliant that are not.

If you chose a monitor that supports HDMI 2.1 inputs, and your video card supports HDMI 2.1 outputs, you can also use HDMI 2.1 with the included cable. Again, be careful about buying longer cables. They must support HDMI 2.1 and should be tested with your setup before you complete your cable management.

For a gaming console, you need to use HDMI right out of the box. To take full advantage of the variable refresh rates up to 120Hz and 4K offered by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, you must use the HDMI 2.1 compliant cables that come with either the monitor or the console. These two cables will give you the best possible connection. HDMI 2.0 connections are possible but will limit games to Full HD at 120 Hz or 4K at 60 Hz.

Laptops with a Type-C connector that also supports output to a display can connect directly to the available Type-C DP Alt Mode input. Depending on the display you purchase, this port will also charge the battery on compatible laptops. This is the best connection for laptops, whether they are modern Windows or Apple models.

Absolutely! You can use all of the available inputs to connect multiple devices and conveniently switch between the ports you use by using the controls on your monitor or, where supported, directly in the CORSAIR iCUE Software.

Connect your work laptop to the monitor's Type-C DP Alt Mode input and your gaming system to the DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C upstream inputs. Then connect your keyboard and mouse to the monitor's ports. When you switch between your laptop and gaming system, you can use your keyboard and mouse for both systems without having to switch cables.

Depending on your laptop's power requirements, you can even keep your laptop's battery charged or charge the battery through your monitor. If there is not enough power to charge your laptop, you can always plug in the laptop's included charger.

Does your laptop have Thunderbolt support? Add a CORSAIR TBT200 Thunderbolt 4 Dock to your setup and connect your monitor directly to the Type-C DP Alt-Mode input and a Thunderbolt 4 port on the TBT200 Thunderbolt 4 Dock. That way, all you must do is plug your laptop into the dock and everything else works as described above, while adding even more ports of connectivity and ensuring your compatible laptop is charged at up to 96W.