Displayport cable ends

[Ditchinit]

This is not really a screens questions, but it is related.

While shopping for displayport cables, I'm seeing some are available that have a locking plug and others that omit the locking tab. This prompts the following question: does it matter? Are the connection tolerances loose enough to warrant a locking tab? Is the locking tab part of the specification, and perhaps cheaper brands omit it because the cables without are lower cost to produce, thus translating to lower retail cost, thus more sales from unknowing customers (such as my friend for whom I'm asking all these questions )?

 

[Brian_B]

All of mine have the tab. They are generally a pain in the rear. But i don’t know the actual answer to your question

 

[Space_Ranger]

I prefer the locking tab... Prevents the cable from just falling out with the slightest tug (I swing my monitors occasionally)..

 

[Brian_B]

I prefer the locking tab... Prevents the cable from just falling out with the slightest tug (I swing my monitors occasionally)..

True. I just can't ever get mine to come loose when I want them to come out, and the angle that they plug into my monitors I can't get my fingers on the stupid tab because it's facing the monitor, not out - I have to get a pair of needle noses or something to get it pushed in.

 

[Ditchinit]

Yeah, I've been using a letter opener to push the tab because I can't get my finger in the space allowed on either my case/GPU or monitor. I think the locking tab is fine in concept if not in actual practice.

Having poked around the internet (and you know all information on the internet is true and correct, right?), it seems the consensus is that the locking tab is part of the female socket specification, but not the male plug end. So technically, it is optional.

 

[DrezKill]

I have DP cables both with and without locking ends. The ones without locking ends fit so tightly in the ports that they are definitely not coming out regardless. If most DP cables without locks are like that, then yeah the locks are definitely not necessary. I don't have a preference either way. All my DP cables are either from Dell or Monoprice, by the way.