VESA is set to release DisplayPort 2.1b, introducing DP80LL active cables capable of maintaining an 80 Gbps UHBR20 connection over 3 meters—tripling the length of current passive DP80 cables. These updates will debut at CES 2025, alongside demos from key partners like Nvidia.
What do we think? It’s hard to get excited about cables, but here’s the thing: 3 meters of reliable, ultra-high-speed connectivity isn’t trivial—it’s transformative. Whether for a workstation tucked in a corner or a gaming rig spread across a room, that extra length equals freedom.
New active cable specification for up to 3x longer DP80 cables
The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) 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 3 meters in length. The spec for these new cables will be a highlight of DisplayPort Version 2.1b, to be released in spring 2025.
The DP80LL active cables do solve a real limitation. Previously, DisplayPort 2.1’s UHBR20 standard constrained users to a 1-meter passive cable length, which could make some, maybe many, setups awkward or impossible. With the new active cables, that limitation stretches to 3 meters, offering more flexibility for complex gaming rigs, multi-monitor workstations, and creative’s setups.
Nvidia has been collaborating with VESA to confirm that these longer cables deliver consistent performance without compromising speed or visual fidelity. The pair claim that the result is an ecosystem where hardware and connectivity standards align.
It might not be the flashiest announcement at CES, but for anyone who has ever been constrained by cable length, there will be a sigh of relief. This update addresses a real-world constraint. For gamers, designers, and power users, physical setup limitations often restrict optimal performance. Longer, high-speed cables mean more options—and fewer compromises.
Attendees at CES 2025 will get the first look at these cables, and we’ll report back with a firsthand view later in the week.
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