Summary
Grand Theft Auto 5is getting a major upgrade on PC in the coming weeks. Not only will PC players finally receive the “next-gen” features that were previously exclusive to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions ofGTA 5, but developer Rockstar Games will also issue the upgrade for free on the platform.
AlthoughGTA 5first launched on the PS3 and Xbox 360 almost 12 years ago, Rockstar Games has re-released the highly-popular open-world title on several platforms since then.GTA 5was ported to PS4 and Xbox Onejust over a year after its initial launch, and in 2015, the game made its way to PC. For years, PC players enjoyed the definitive version ofGTA 5, but that changed in 2022 when Rockstar brought the game to current-gen platforms like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. This edition ofGTA 5introduced various brand-new features that leapfrogged the PS4 and Xbox One versions and weren’t even available on PC.
Almost three years later, though, Rockstar has announced that it will bring the PC version ofGTA 5up to snuff with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/Seditions. Chief among the list of upgrades coming toGTA 5’s PC version is support for ray-traced shadows and reflections. Interestingly, Rockstar will add ray-traced ambient occlusion and global illumination exclusively toGTA 5on PC. Enhanced support for higher framerates, resolutions, and aspect ratios has also been confirmed, alongside faster loading times for SSD users, improved audio with Dolby Atmos support, upscaling solutions like AMD FSR 1, FSR3, and Nvidia DLSS 3, and more.
In addition to the technical upgrades,GTA Onlineplayers on PC will obtain access to Hao’s Special Works, where they can apply “best-in-class” modifications to their vehicles. Five new cars will be added toGTA Online’s PC version and 20 existing cars will become available to tune via Hao’s Special Works, along with the ability to participate in Premium Test Rides, HSW Races, and HSW Time Trials.Rockstar’s controversial GTA+ subscription serviceis also making its way to PC via this free upgrade. As for when it’ll release,GTA 5’s upgraded PC version is set to drop onMarch 4and will beavailable to existing players for free.
The inclusion of these new features has raisedGTA 5’s PC hardware requirements. Thankfully, Rockstar will support theoriginal PC version ofGTA Onlinefor players sporting less powerful hardware, but crossplay with the upgraded iteration of the game will not be possible. It took a while, but PC has yet again usurped the throne as the definitive way to play GTA 5.
Windows 10 (latest service pack)
8GB RAM
16GB dual-channel RAM
Graphics
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1630 (4GB VRAM) AMD Radeon RX 6400 (4GB VRAM)
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 (8GB VRAM) AMD Radeon RX 6600XT (8GB VRAM)
105GB, SSD required
105GB, DirectStorage-compatible drive
Sound Card and Audio
100% DirectX 10 compatible
Windows Spatial Sound-compatible audio system; solution containing Dolby Atmos support required for a Dolby Atmos experience.
Grand Theft Auto 5
WHERE TO PLAY
When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber and a terrifying psychopath find themselves entangled with some of the most frightening and deranged elements of the criminal underworld, the U.S. government and the entertainment industry, they must pull off a series of dangerous heists to survive in a ruthless city in which they can trust nobody, least of all each other.Grand Theft Auto V for PC offers players the option to explore the award-winning world of Los Santos and Blaine County in resolutions of up to 4k and beyond, as well as the chance to experience the game running at 60 frames per second.The game offers players a huge range of PC-specific customization options, including over 25 separate configurable settings for texture quality, shaders, tessellation, anti-aliasing and more, as well as support and extensive customization for mouse and keyboard controls. Additional options include a population density slider to control car and pedestrian traffic, as well as dual and triple monitor support, 3D compatibility, and plug-and-play controller support.
