If you recently purchased a computer monitor, you may be wondering what the differences are between DVI and HDMI. They are both digital video cables, with the main difference being that HDMI carries both audio and video, while DVI only transmits video.

But the differences don't stop there. There are plenty of reasons why you might choose one or the other, depending on your situation.

Both DVI and HDMI are fully capable of handling most standard computer needs. With a supported resolution of 2560×1600@60Hz, which most standard monitors support, DVI is more than capable of handling the resolution that most users even set their displays to.

HDMI comes into play for high-end video and audio needs. If you’re looking to do more than basic computing, HDMI may be a must. This is especially true if you want to stream HD video or connect an HDR output from your gaming console to your TV.