10 bit color mode

[creativetags]

I have a M4 Mac Mini with 2x BenQ EW3270U 4K displays connected directly via thunderbolt. Under color mode the first monitor has 10-bit SDR RGB Full range but the 2nd doesn't have this option, my choice is 10-bit SDR YCbCr 4:2:2 Limited Range or 8-bit SDR RGB Full Range. Am I right that 8-bit is better because RGB and Full Range? Is the limitation from my Mac or the Thunderbolt cable (which is one that came with the monitor vs. the Cable Matters Thunderbolt 4 I'm using on first monitor)?

[waydabber]

Yes, the best one is the 8-bit RGB full. The limitation might be from the monitor, cable or connection bandwidth limit constraints ( although I think an USB-C cable should not pose a bandwidth constraint and the monitor is the same so I am not sure). 10-bit requires higher bandwidth, but the 4:2:2 chroma subsampling decreases bandwidth requirement (and quality), that's why that is available at 10-bits. Since most likely your panel is 8-bits and the Mac does GPU temporal dithering by default, you might not notice much difference between 8 and 10 bits, I would not be too bothered about it.

[creativetags]

Thanks. Both panels should support 10-bits according to the specs. I tried swapping the cables and it didn't change which monitor got 10-bits. Also both monitors have same firmware version V007 20210128 and panel ID.