Discussing USB-C and DisplayPort 1.4 on recent motherboards
Discussing USB-C and DisplayPort 1.4 on recent motherboards
I've observed that several of the latest X870E motherboards include USB-C ports featuring DP connections. For instance, the ProArt X870E-CREATOR WIFI offers two such ports. I'm not clear on the exact functionality—does it still rely on GPU-generated video, or is a CPU with an integrated GPU required? My interest lies in compatibility with devices like a Huion Pen Display. Most models provide two connection methods: direct USB-C to USB-C, often used with laptops, or a USB-C to 3-way dongle setup (HDMI, one USB-A for data, another for power). The 3-way dongle is the one I currently use, but I'd prefer a USB-C cable instead. Would it be possible for any USB-C cable to work, or should there be specific protocol requirements?
They feature USB-C with DP-alt for the iGPU. The X870E supports DP-in similar to earlier models, enabling USB4 usage with a dGPU connected. To show this isn't always true, the Pro Art model with DP-in for the type-C can pass through a dGPU: Amazon.com lists the ASUS ProArt X570-Creator WiFi AMD X570S Ryzen AM4 ATX Content Creation Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, Passive PCH Cooling, 2xThunderbolt 4 Type-C Ports, 10 Gb & 2.5 Gb LAN, WiFi 6E, 3X M.2 Slots, Creator Hub). In this setup, you can display output from the GPU via the USB-C port using DP-in and Thunderbolt 4.
On desktops, this setup can be shown using block diagrams. Your Type C/Thunderbolt connections are either sent directly to iGPU outputs (like the My X670E Taichi) or routed through a DP-in port that forwards any input source via the Type C/Thunderbolt connection (such as the ProArt board).
I don't think cards are designed to be able to pass displayout over PCIe, so that might require a special controller, then the motherboard would have to be able to receive that signal as displayport and pass it over type-c like this board doesn externally. Its definitely something I'd pay extra money for to have, even if my monitor doesn't have a type-c input right now. A single cable solution for my monitor to provide USB, DP, and power would be AMAZING. Plenty of monitors fit within a 100W power budget as is, and plenty of motherboards have type-c PD capability, especially with the extra room people generally spec into their power supplies.