Link bandwidth

Link bandwidth is how much data a connection can carry each second, often expressed in gigabits per second (Gbps). The raw signaling rate is not the same as the capacity left for image data: encoding and protocol overhead use part of it. VESA’s DisplayPort material distinguishes link and payload bandwidth

A higher resolution, refresh rate or bit depth generally needs more image data. DSC and chroma subsampling can change that requirement. This is why these properties need to be considered together when reading a connection report.

BetterDisplay shows the rate, lane and bandwidth values the system makes available. Those reports are not a cable-quality measurement or a promise that every combination of mode settings will work.

See Individual Display Settings for the related information.