Where Should You Plug Your Monitor Into a Gaming PC?
Lennon Byatt
You’ve got your first gaming PC.
You’ve connected the keyboard, mouse, power cable and monitor.
Everything turns on.
Job done?
Almost.
There’s one surprisingly common mistake that new PC gamers can make:
Plugging the monitor into the wrong port.
A gaming PC may have more than one HDMI or DisplayPort connection on the back, but they don’t necessarily do the same thing.
Here’s how to make sure your monitor is connected correctly.
Recommended 1440p Gaming PC Specifications
For the best balance of performance and value, we recommend:
| Component | Recommendation |
|
CPU
|
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
|
|
GPU
|
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
|
|
RAM
|
32GB DDR5 6000MHz
|
|
Storage
|
2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
|
|
Motherboard
|
B650
|
|
PSU
|
750W 80 PLUS Gold
|
This specification is capable of running modern AAA games at high frame rates while providing plenty of headroom for future releases.
Browse AWD-IT's latest AMD Ryzen Processors:
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/cpu-processors/amd-cpu.html
Why Are There Two Sets of Display Ports?
Look at the back of a gaming PC and you may see display connections in two different areas.
One set is usually higher up alongside USB, Ethernet and audio connections.
The other set sits lower down on the back of the PC.
Those lower connections normally belong to your dedicated graphics card.
And for most gaming PCs, that’s where your monitor should be connected.
What Happens If I Use the Wrong Port?
The display connections near the top of the PC normally belong to the motherboard.
These rely on graphics built into the processor — if the processor even has integrated graphics available.
If you plug your monitor into the motherboard instead of the dedicated graphics card, several things can happen.
You may get:
- Much lower gaming performance
- Games using integrated graphics
- Limited graphics options
- No picture at all
Meanwhile, the powerful graphics card you bought for gaming may be sitting there doing very little.
The display connections near the top of the PC normally belong to the motherboard
How Do I Know Which Ports Belong to the Graphics Card?
The easiest way is to look at the position.
Motherboard Ports
These are usually located higher up on the back of the case alongside connections such as:
- USB
- Ethernet
- Audio
- Wi-Fi antenna connectors
Graphics Card Ports
These are usually positioned lower down and run horizontally across the expansion slots of the case.
You may see several:
HDMI
and
DisplayPort
connections here.
If your gaming PC has a dedicated graphics card, this is normally where you want to connect your gaming monitor.
HDMI or DisplayPort?
Both can be used for gaming.
You don’t need to assume one is automatically wrong.
Which one makes most sense depends on your graphics card, monitor and the resolutions and refresh rates they support.
HDMI
HDMI is extremely common.
You’ll find it on:
- Gaming monitors
- TVs
- Consoles
- Graphics cards
If you’re coming from a PlayStation or Xbox, you’re probably already familiar with it.
DisplayPort
DisplayPort is especially common on PC gaming monitors and graphics cards.
It is often a convenient choice for high-refresh-rate PC gaming setups.
The important thing isn’t simply whether the cable says HDMI or DisplayPort.
It’s making sure the graphics card, monitor and cable support the resolution and refresh rate you want to use.
You can browse AWD-IT’s range of gaming monitors to compare different display options.
Higher refresh rates can make movement feel smoother, particularly in fast-paced games
What's a Refresh Rate?
You might see gaming monitors advertised as:
60Hz
144Hz
165Hz
240Hz
The Hz figure tells you how many times the monitor can refresh its image every second.
Higher refresh rates can make movement feel smoother, particularly in fast-paced games.
But buying a 165Hz monitor doesn’t always mean your PC will automatically run it at 165Hz.
After connecting a new monitor, it’s worth checking your Windows display settings to make sure the correct refresh rate is selected.
Average FPS vs 1% Low
Here’s a simple example:
| Gaming PC | Average FPS | 1% Low |
|
PC A
|
160 FPS
|
65 fps
|
|
PC B
|
145 FPS
|
110 FPS
|
At first glance, PC A looks faster because it has the higher average FPS.
But PC B maintains much stronger performance during demanding moments.
For someone actually playing the game, PC B may therefore provide the smoother and more consistent experience.
This is one reason AWD-IT's existing performance guides sometimes refer to maintaining strong 1% lows alongside average FPS.
Bigger Numbers Don’t Always Mean Better for You
This is an important one.
A higher model number can often mean a newer or more powerful product, but that doesn’t automatically mean it is the right choice for your setup.
If you only want to play games at 1080p, you may not need the same hardware as someone gaming at 4K.
Likewise, someone playing competitive games has different priorities from someone mainly playing slower single-player titles.
The best gaming PC is not always the one with the biggest numbers.
It’s the one that matches what you actually want to do.
Does the Cable Matter?
Yes.
Not every cable supports every possible combination of resolution and refresh rate.
An older HDMI cable you’ve had sitting in a drawer for years may not necessarily be the best option for a modern high-refresh-rate gaming monitor.
If your display isn’t offering the resolution or refresh rate you expected, check:
The monitor
The graphics card
The cable
All three parts need to support the setup you’re trying to use.
What If My PC Has No Graphics Card?
Not every computer has a dedicated GPU.
Some processors include integrated graphics, meaning the processor itself can produce a display output.
In that situation, using the motherboard’s HDMI or DisplayPort connection can be completely normal.
But most dedicated gaming PCs designed around a separate NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon graphics card should have the monitor connected directly to that GPU.
Not every computer has a dedicated GPU
Background Downloads Are Easy to Miss
Modern games receive large updates, and your launcher may continue downloading additional content while you’re playing.
Windows, Steam, Discord, cloud storage and other applications can also be active in the background.
If your performance suddenly feels worse after installing an update, open Task Manager and check whether anything else is heavily using your:
CPU, RAM, storage or network connection.
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one.
Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials
You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.
1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup
Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs
Tech on display
Latest gen builds
Verdict
Showroom certified
Pick Your Tier
We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.
Group Stage
Round of 32
Quarter Final
World Cup Final
Don't Forget Your Monitor
Your PC can produce hundreds of frames every second, but your monitor also needs to be capable of displaying high refresh rates for you to fully benefit from them.
A smoother combination of strong FPS, consistent frame delivery and an appropriate refresh rate can make games feel significantly better.
If you're unsure what Hz means, read AWD-IT's guide to why monitor refresh rate matters, or browse the latest gaming monitors.
A smoother combination of strong FPS, consistent frame delivery and an appropriate refresh rate can make games feel significantly better.
Expected Gaming Performance
|
Game
|
1440p High
|
1440p Ultra
|
|
GTA 6 (Predicted)
|
120 FPS
|
90 FPS
|
|
Cyberpunk 2077
|
120 FPS
|
95 FPS
|
|
Black Ops 7
|
180+ FPS
|
150+ FPS
|
|
Fortnite
|
240+ FPS
|
200+ FPS
|
Performance will vary depending on drivers, game updates and graphics settings.
What If I Have Two Monitors?
You can normally connect multiple displays directly to your graphics card if it has enough outputs.
For example, you might have:
DisplayPort → Main gaming monitor
HDMI → Second monitor
Your main gaming display should ideally use a connection that supports its full resolution and refresh rate.
There’s no requirement for every monitor to use the same type of cable.
If your new gaming PC turns on but the monitor shows No Signal, don’t panic
My Monitor Says “No Signal” — What Should I Check?
If your new gaming PC turns on but the monitor shows No Signal, don’t panic.
Start with the simple things.
Check that:
- The monitor has power
- The correct input is selected
- The cable is fully connected at both ends
- The cable is plugged into the graphics card
- You’ve tried another GPU display output if one is available
Sometimes the PC itself is working perfectly.
The monitor is simply listening to the wrong input.
Can I Damage Anything by Using the Wrong Display Port?
Simply plugging the monitor into a motherboard display connection instead of the graphics card normally isn’t going to damage your PC.
The main issue is performance or getting no picture.
So if you realise you’ve connected it incorrectly:
Turn the PC off, move the cable to the graphics card and turn it back on.
It’s an easy fix.
A Simple Rule for Your First Gaming PC
If your PC has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon graphics card, remember this:
Plug your monitor into the graphics card, not the motherboard.
That one simple step makes sure your display is connected to the hardware designed to run your games.
And if you’re ever unsure, there’s nothing wrong with checking.
PC gaming comes with plenty of new connections, specifications and settings to learn.
Nobody knows all of them on day one.
Will AWD-IT PCs Already Have Drivers?
A professionally built AWD-IT gaming PC is assembled and tested before it reaches you.
But drivers continue to be released after the PC has been built.
Games change.
Windows changes.
Graphics software changes.
So updating your graphics driver is simply part of owning a gaming PC over time.
It isn't a sign that anything is wrong with the machine.
The Simple Version
Look at the back of your gaming PC.
Ports near the top = usually the motherboard.
Ports lower down = usually the graphics card.
For a gaming PC with a dedicated GPU:
Use the graphics card ports.
Then make sure your monitor is running at the resolution and refresh rate you paid for.
That’s it.
One cable in the right place, and your PC can get on with doing what it was built to do.
Running your games.
Explore AWD-IT’s range of gaming PCs, graphics cards and gaming monitors if you’re putting together your first PC gaming setup.
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- Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
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- Best CPU for RTX 5070
- What Is Resizable BAR?
- How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming?
- GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
