> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/guides/connecting/connecting-pen-display/motherboard-vs-gpu-hdmi.md). # Motherboard HDMI vs GPU HDMI ports ## Overview On some computers there may be HDMI ports in two different locations: * The motherboard * The GPU (aka the graphics card) You should always use the GPU's HDMI ports first. Use the motherboard HDMI ports only as a last resort. ## Location There are two general locations on the back of a computer. * The motherboard I/O panel * The GPU (aka the graphics card)
## Motherboard HDMI vs GPU HDMI If you have two working ports, one on the motherboard and one on the graphics card, which should you pick? The answer is **always use the graphics card's HDMI port first. Use the motherboard HDMI port only as a last resort**. First, motherboard HDMI support is usually less capable than a graphics card from the same era. The motherboard HDMI port may not support 4K or a high enough refresh rate. It might work, but the experience may be worse. Second, both motherboard HDMI and a graphics card need memory to do their work. A graphics card has its own dedicated memory. Motherboard HDMI usually does not. It instead uses system memory, which means your CPU and system lose some memory to graphics. ## Issues with motherboard HDMI Sometimes you'll read a statement like "HDMI doesn't work on the motherboard." That is an exaggeration, but it is well-intentioned. It is true that motherboard HDMI sometimes does not work. Here are the common reasons. For a motherboard HDMI port working, several things need to be true: * The HDMI port must exist. * The computer must have "integrated graphics" hardware that sends a display signal to the port. It's called "integrated" because the graphics component is on the CPU. * The HDMI port must be enabled. Sometimes not all these conditions are met on PCs with motherboard HDMI ports. * The HDMI port might exist, but there may be no integrated graphics, so that port will not work. * You might have the port and integrated graphics, but the BIOS may disable that port. In that case, you need to enable it in the BIOS. * Some computers automatically disable motherboard HDMI when a graphics card is installed. In other words, you can use either the motherboard HDMI or the graphics card, but not both. ## Is using a motherboard HDMI safe? Yes. You aren't going to hurt your computer by trying to use motherboard HDMI, but you should know why it might not work.