Resource utilization of BetterDisplay HiDPI vs native HiDPI

[noplan724]

Hello
I have a Mac Mini M4 and a 27” display with 2560x1440p. In the MacOS settings I can select 1920x1080 HiDPI, but then I only have 30 Hz max. (probably because of my old HDMI cable). BetterDisplay works great, I can select 1920x1080 HiDPI at 144 Hz and everything looks crisp.

I'm now wondering which is more resource efficient, the MacOS method or the BetterDisplay method. I assume it's BetterDisplay as it works fine with my old HDMI cable, i.e. it's not based on a very high resolution which is then downscaled in the background (in the sense of 4 pixels becoming one)? Is that correct?

Thanks for any information :)

[waydabber]

Not sure which resolution is it actually. If it's HiDPI (the refresh rate is probably a switch to an unexposed low level mode), then it should be the same in efficiency (the app uses the system's scaling method).

[noplan724]

Thank you. I've read the "MacOS scaling, HiDPI, LoDPI explanation" Wiki again and think that now I understood it. Also I understood that my idea with the old HDMI cable does not make sense since the scaling or fractional scaling happens in the Mac and therefore a higher bandwith connection between Mac and display by a better cable does not change anything.
I'll buy BetterDisplay Pro and keep everything as it is since it runs great with that tool.

[waydabber]

Yes, if you don't have any connection issues, it does not make sense to upgrade the cable. HDMI is a digital connection, the best approach is to get the cheapest cable that is certified for the bandwidth you need - premium cables don't help much. Scaling happens on the macOS side so scaling issues are unrelated to cable quality or connection bandwidth.