DisplayPort and DisplayPort over USB-c
The limiting factor for most other readily-available connection methods is the top speed of the USB bus.
If you either connect directly with a USB-C to USB-C cable -OR-
use an ordinary adapter from USB-C to DisplayPort, the top speed attainable is 20 G bits/sec, by turning all four lanes momentarily outbound.
The length limit of such cables or adapter/cables, when the adapter electronics is at one end, is ONE meter, maximum, for use with a Mac. Windows computers do not do any error-checking, so they will attempt to operate regardless of errors.
The top resolution at 10 bits/color over USB or adapter/cables from USB is 4K at 60 Hz.
At 8 bits.color, it is 4K at 75 Hz.
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ThunderBolt cables and adapter/cables:
if you shop VERY carefully, you can find adapters or adapter/cables that use ThunderBolt inputs, and convert to DisplayPort. These may be sold as DisplayPort 2.0 or 2.1 adapters, and possibly advertised as supporting up to 4K at 240 Hz, or up to 16K at 60 Hz. The top speeds for this connection is twice as fast -- 40 G bits/sec, the top speed of Thunderbolt-3 or -4 when all lanes are turned momentarily outbound.
That higher speed allows 10 bits/color at up to 144hz with certain restrictions, and 8 bits/color at up to 144 Hz. PROVIDED you keep the cables VERY short -- recommended maximum length for passive ThunderBolt cables is 0.5 meters in most cases.
You may be able to find adapters or cables sold as ACTIVE ThunderBolt cables. These can be longer, but are much more expensive because they contain signal re-driver electronics.
