Atif Qazi
The short answer to the query whether the PS5 HDMI cable supports 120Hz refresh rate is a yes, PS5 DOES come with an HDMI cable that supports a 120Hz refresh rate.
However, in order to understand the capability of the PS5’s HDMI cable and what resolution and refresh rates it can support, you need to understand how the HDMI interface works. You have to particularly pay attention to the different versions of the HDMI cable and also of the HDMI port and how it has evolved.
PS5 comes with an HDMI 2.1 cable, also known as an Ultra High Speed cable packaged with the console. Ultra High Speed HDMI cables can support the PS5’s rated 4K resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate.
Understanding the Different HDMI Cable Types and HDMI Ports
While all HDMI cables and ports may look the same, they can be worlds apart in terms of performance.
For starters, know that there is a distinction between the HDMI port version and the HDMI cable version.
What are the Different HDMI Port Versions
The HDMI version of the input and the output ports on the display device (TV/monitor) and the source device (PS5) primarily indicate the maximum resolution and refresh rate the interface can support.
The most common HDMI version of the ports is HDMI 1.4. This interface can support Full HD resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate or 4k Resolution at only a 30Hz refresh rate.
In order to enable a higher 60Hz refresh rate for 4K resolution, you need to have HDMI 2.0.
Taking a step further, if you want to enable 4K resolution at @ 120Hz refresh rate, you will need to have an HDMI 2.1 port on both the source and the display device.
The latest and the most robust HDMI interface is HDMI 2.1, which the PS5 features. This interface can support up to 10K and 120Hz refresh rate or up to 4K and @ 240Hz refresh rate.
The table below shows the different HDMI port version and their rated specs.
| HDMI Version | Max Resolution | Refresh Rate | HDR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 1440P | 1080P = 60Hz 1440P = 30Hz | No |
| 1.3-1.4 | 4K (4096 x 2160) | 1080P = 120Hz 1440P = 60Hz 4K = 30Hz | No |
| 2.0 | 4K (4096 x 2160) | 1080P = 240Hz 1440P = 144Hz 4K = 60Hz | Yes |
| 2.1 | 8K (7680 x 4320) | 1440P = 240Hz 4K = 144Hz 4K = 240Hz (DSC) 8K = 120Hz (DSC) | Yes |
PS5, however, is capped at 4K @ 120Hz DESPITE having an HDMI 2.1 port.
You Need to Have the Right HDMI Cable to Support PS5’s Rated Specs
You can have your PS5 as well as your monitor/TV featuring the HDMI 2.1 output and input ports respectively, HOWEVER, if you do not have the right HDMI cable, you will not be able to achieve 120Hz on PS5.
There are basically four types of HDMI cables as discussed in the table below:
| HDMI Cable Certification | Supported Specs | Intended HDMI Port Version |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1080P @ 60Hz | 1.0-1.3 |
| High Speed | FHD @ 144Hz QHD @ 60Hz 4K @ 30hz | 1.4 |
| Premium High Speed | FHD @ 240Hz QHD @ 144Hz 4K @ 60Hz | 2.0 |
| Ultra High Speed | FHD @ > 240Hz 1440P @ > 240Hz 4K @ 144Hz (240Hz with DSC) 8K @ 120Hz (DSC) 10K @ 120Hz (DSC) | 2.1 |
The STANDARD HDMI cables intended for HDMI 1.0, 1.1, and HDMI 1.2 ports are more or less obsolete.
The High Speed HDMI cables, which are your average run-of-the-mill HDMI cables, can support 120 Hz refresh BUT ONLY AT FULL HD RESOLUTION!
To enable support for 120Hz on 4K resolution, however, you will need to have Ultra High Speed cable.
Fortunately, PS5 comes with an Ultra High Speed cable.
So Does the PS5 HDMI Cable Support 120Hz?
PS5 comes with an HDMI 2.1 cable aka Ultra High Speed cable. As can be seen from the discussion above, the Ultra High Speed cable can support not only Full HD resolution at 120 Hz but also 4k resolution at 120 Hz.
Technically, the Ultra High Speed or 2.1 cables can support up to 10K resolution @ 120Hz, however, PS5 is currently capped at 4K resolution @ 120Hz.
Of course, to enable support for 120Hz to experience games at 120 frames per second, you first need to have a monitor or a TV that can also support 120Hz.
In other words, if you were to connect your PS5 to a monitor or a TV that has a rated refresh rate of 60Hz or if it has an inferior HDMI 1.4 input port, then your refresh rate or Frame per second on games will also be capped at 60Hz or 60 FPS.
Secondly, you need to make sure that the particular game that you are playing has support for up to 120 FPS. At the moment, there are only a few select PS5 games that have support for 120 FPS.
To Summarize
The following table summarizes what cable you will need to support 120Hz at different resolutions.
| Refresh Rate | Resolution | Cable | Intended Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120Hz | 1080P | High Speed | 1.4 |
| 120Hz | 1440P (QHD/2K) | Premium High Speed | 2.0 |
| 120Hz | 4K | Ultra High Speed | 2.1 |
HDMI 2.0 Port On Your Monitor/TV Won’t Support 120Hz @ 4K resolution
If you have a monitor or a TV with an HDMI 2.0 port, the best you would get from a PS5 is 120Hz at FHD resolution. It won’t support 120Hz @ 4K resolution.
Make Certain You Get CERTIFIED HDMI 2.1 Cable
In case if HDMI cable included with your PS5 has gone missing or has become damaged, make sure the replacement that you buy is a CERTIFIED Ultra High Speed Cable.
Certified HDMI cables have a distinct label with a QR scan code. These certifications are provided by HDMI.org.
Often a certain listing for an HDMI cable would claim that it conforms to HDMI 2.1 standards only for you to find out later that it actually does not.
So if you bought a new HDMI cable but you are unable to get 120Hz despite having HDMI 2.1 port on your display device, you probably have an uncertified HDMI cable.
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