Mini DP v HDMI

[NoLoMo]

So I have been having problems with my secondary display in which it has some tearing are random idle moments. If the screen is in use there are no problems with it, it's only when nothing is playing when it has some screen artifacting. I've posted this problem a multitude of times but I have not been able to single out the problem, so I figured it might have been my HDMI cable that was dying. I have replaced my HDMI since, and the only thing which has changed is that artifacting is more legible than before. Another problem is whenever switch from a fullscreen window, in my case Smite, part of the screen go black and flash from what should be displaying to black. Both of these artifacts will go away if I hover over it and interact with something there. So now I do not know whether is was the HDMI cable or the port of my laptop. The only two display ports that my laptop has is HDMI and Mini DP; so my question is, if I get a Mini DP adaptor should I get it to VGA or HDMI. Also can someone explain what the difference between the two (HDMI/Mini DP) is, what are some of the pros and cons.

[zMeul]

there's a real possibility the GPU in your laptop is quite borked

 

(mini)DP can output a much higher resolutions and refresh rates than HDMI - assuming the monitor has a DP port, and also depends on the monitor's specs

for 1080p, for example, there's no difference if you use DP or HDMI

[Cylon Muffins]

I would suggest buying a mini dp to hdmi cable, avoid using an adapter as in my experience these break very easily. 

 

VGA is essentially dead on consumer devices and there's little use for it these days unless you have a specific need to plug into an old projector or something.

[NoLoMo]

1 minute ago, zMeul said:

there's a real possibility the GPU in your laptop is quite borked

 

(mini)DP can output a much higher resolutions and refresh rates than HDMI - assuming the monitor has a DP port

I thought so too but my only question is for it to be borked on idle and not during gaming. As far as the port on my PC i think the official name of it is Acer display port, I know that it's not thunderbolt port and looks like a Mini DP.

[zMeul]

2 minutes ago, NoLoMo said:

Acer display port, I know that it's not thunderbolt port and looks like a Mini DP.

it's Displayport, with a mini connector - and it's not Acer's

 

if the GPU/VRAM is defective it will manifest itself whether you are gaming or not

[NoLoMo]

6 minutes ago, zMeul said:

it's Displayport, with a mini connector - and it's not Acer's

 

if the GPU/VRAM is defective it will manifest itself whether you are gaming or not

I know that the displayport is not Acer's I was just saying what Acer said in the event it was something else. I have done a stress test in the past on my GPU and according to another user it was fine so that would not have been the issue. Do you have another test that I can run, just to make sure it's not the GPU?

 

[zMeul]

1 minute ago, NoLoMo said:

Do you have another test that I can run, just to make sure it's not the GPU?

there are not definitive tests for broken video cards, only observation

[NoLoMo]

1 minute ago, zMeul said:

there are not definitive tests for broken video cards, only observation

Alright, well I try the other port and if not I guess I will start saving up for another computer.