VESA enables 3x longer cables with DisplayPort 2.1b and DP80LL

VESA plans to demo long-length 80 Gbps DisplayPort 2.1b cables at CES 2025

At CES 2025, VESA has updated their DisplayPort 2.1 standard, creating DisplayPort 2.1b. This new standard enables the creation of DP80LL (DisplayPort 80 Gbps Low Loss) cables up to three meters long. We will probably call these DP80LL “Long Length” cables rather than “Low Loss” cables in the future.

This new standard solves a fundamental weakness of DisplayPort by allowing users to utilise the full bandwidth of the standard with longer cables. Until now, 80 Gbps DisplayPort cables have been limited to 1 meter in length. VESA will be showcasing their new DP80LL display technology at CES 2025.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today announced that it is working with members to introduce new DP80LL (“low loss”) ultra-high-bit-rate (UHBR) cables that enable up to four-lane UHBR20 link rate support – a maximum throughput of 80 Gbps – over an active cable up to three meters in length. The spec for these new cables will be a key highlight of DisplayPort version 2.1b, which will be released in the spring of 2025. As a result, the DisplayPort 2.1b update will provide for up to 3X the cable length for UHBR20 GPU-to-display connections compared to existing VESA certified DP80 passive cables. VESA certified DP80LL cables are expected to roll out into the market within the next several months.

– VESA DisplayPort

Nvidia is helping to push DisplayPort 2.1b technologies

Nvidia has confirmed that they have been collaborating with VESA to ensure the compatibility of Nvidia GPUs with upcoming DP 2.1b technologies. This practically guarantees that Nvidia’s RTX 50 series GPUs will support DisplayPort 2.1b. After all, Nvidia’s RTX 40 series only supports DisplayPort 1.4 speeds.

Nvidia’s next-gen GPUs will support DP 2.1 connectivity and UHBR20. This will include support for new DP80LL cables. In 2025, DisplayPort 2.1 displays will become a lot more common, making this feature essential for any new graphics cards. Nvidia is due to reveal its RTX 50 series GPUs at the CES Keynote later today.

You can join the discussion on DisplayPort 2.1b and new DP80LL (low loss) cables on the OC3D Forums.