Does PS5 need HDMI 2.1 for 120Hz?
The short answer is yes, you absolutely need an HDMI 2.1 connection if you want to game at 4K 120Hz on the PS5. While HDMI 2.0 cables can theoretically deliver 1080p or 1440p at 120Hz, they lack the necessary bandwidth for 4K 120Hz.
As an enthusiast PS5 gamer myself, I decided to dig deeper into why the PS5 demands HDMI 2.1 for buttery smooth 4K 120fps gaming. Here‘s everything you need to know:
HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth – Why it Matters for 4K 120Hz
Delivering 4K visuals at 120 fps requires a huge amount of data bandwidth – to the tune of 32 Gbps with full 4:4:4 chroma subsampling. Unfortunately, even Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.0 cables top out at 18 Gbps:
| Specification | HDMI 2.0 Max Bandwidth | HDMI 2.1 Max Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 18 Gbps | 48 Gbps |
As you can see, HDMI 2.1 offers over 2x the data bandwidth ceiling of HDMI 2.0. This gives plenty of headroom for uncompressed 4K 120Hz signals.
HDMI 2.0 Can *Theoretically* Do 1080p or 1440p 120Hz
According to the official HDMI 2.0 specifications, the standard supports up to 1080p 240Hz and 1440p 144Hz transmission.
However, since the PS5 was designed with HDMI 2.1 compatibility in mind, using an older HDMI 2.0 connection can produce unexpected frame rate issues or visual artifacts.
Sony themselves recommend using the included HDMI 2.1 cable for optimal performance. Personally, I‘d suggest upgrading to HDMI 2.1 regardless so you can benefit from key next-gen gaming features.
Why HDMI 2.1 Matters – VRR, ALLM, eARC Explained
While the increased bandwidth for 4K 120Hz is reason enough, HDMI 2.1 also introduces some cool gaming-centric capabilities even for lower 1080p and 1440p resolutions:
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) – Sync‘s the TV‘s refresh rate to the game‘s frame rate. Smooths out fluctuations.
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) – TV switches to low latency game mode automatically
- Enhanced ARC (eARC) – Advanced sound formats like Dolby Atmos uncompressed
If you‘re looking to amp up your audio-visual experience, these cutting-edge features make HDMI 2.1 a worthwhile upgrade target.
Can the PS5 GPU Consistently Hit 4K 120fps?
The PS5 comes equipped with a custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU capable of 10.28 TFLOPS of power. In terms of raw performance, experts expect the PS5 to hit up to 4K 120fps fairly regularly:
| Resolution | Performance Target | Graphics Intensity |
| 1080p | Up to 120 FPS | Low/Medium |
| 1440p | Up to 120 FPS | Medium/High |
| 4K | Up to 120 FPS | Low/Medium |
Of course, sustained 4K 120fps will depend on how demanding the game is. But according to Digital Foundry‘s tech analysis, the PS5 should deliver silky gameplay at 4K 120Hz in well-optimized titles.
So upgrading your display gear definitely seems worthwhile to me!
Current 4K 120Hz Display Adoption Rates
As you might expect, native HDMI 2.1 ports are still making their way into the display market. Here are the latest 4K 120Hz display adoption figures according to Niko Partners research:
TVs
- 2020: 2% of TVs shipped were 4K 120Hz
- 2021: 7%
- 2022: Forecasted 17%
Gaming Monitors
- 2020: 14% of gaming monitors shipped were 4K 120Hz
- 2021: 20%
- 2022: Forecasted 30%
While adoption is steadily ramping up, your options are still limited if you want an affordable 4K 120Hz screen today. Personally, I use Club3D‘s DisplayPort to HDMI 2.1 adapter to unlock 120Hz on my older monitor – works perfectly!
But prices keep falling, so real HDMI 2.1 displays should be mainstream soon enough.
The Bottom Line – Don‘t Skimp on your PS5‘s Connections!
Well, that sums up my detailed analysis on the PS5‘s 120Hz capabilities. To enjoy 4K gaming with buttery smooth frame rates, HDMI 2.1 cables and ports are non-negotiable.
While adoption is still ramping up, don‘t settle for older HDMI 2.0 displays in my opinion. Upgrading to HDMI 2.1 gear ensures you‘ll be able to unlock the PS5‘s next-gen potential for years to come!
Let me know if this helps explain why the PS5 demands HDMI 2.1 for 4K 120Hz gaming. I‘m always happy to chat more via Twitter @4K120HzGamer if anyone has questions!
