GTA 6 is one of the most highly awaited games of the decade. With Rockstar announcing a huge open world, next-generation graphics and a deep storyline it’s no surprise that gamers around the globe are curious to know whether their PCs are capable to run this game.
Since the release of the first trailer rumors regarding the system requirements of the game have been increased. Everyone is discussing that it will need more storage and upgraded hardware after the analyzation that every major game after released the hardware requirements have been growing and GTA 6 is not different.
If you are concerned about your system will run GTA 6 smoothly or you should upgrade then you are at the right location. We will detailed the expected system requirements, comparison with GTA 5, and discuss the potential upgrades to ensure the best gaming experience.
Rockstar games has never been afraid to challenge technology and GTA 6 won’t be any exception. The addition of advanced physics, real-time ray tracing, better character animations and an open world twice as big and twice as interactive means the game is going to look stunning but will also be quite a load on the system.
Unlike GTA 5 which was first created for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and then upgraded for current systems, GTA 6 is designed from scratch with next-gen hardware in mind. This implies that old PCs may struggle to run the GTA 6.
Why GTA 6 could be more demanding than GTA 5
GTA 5 was launched in 2013 and set a new standards in open world gaming and even now it is considered among the most played games. But with GTA 6 Rockstar is sure to take the limits further. One of the biggest reason GTA 6 will be more demanding is the graphical dedicated jump.
The game should have hyper realistic lighting, next generations reflections and elaborate character models that all need to be processed with a powerful GPU to run at the smooth level. Rockstar’s use of ray tracing will also extend the boundaries, ensuring the lighting and reflections in the game are lifelike beyond imagination but only at the expense of needing an expensive GPU.
Another reason is the game’s sheer size. As per rumors and leaks GTA 6 will have the biggest and more realistic map yet in a Rockstar title. That implies higher draw distances, more assets to render simultaneously and a generally more complex world. Therefor, Both CPU and GPU will have to work harder to keep the game as smooth as it needs to be.
As opposed to older games in which NPC behavior was pretty straightforward, GTA 6 should see more intelligent AI creating more fluid and interactive gameplay. This will put more of strain on your CPU making processor power more efficient than ever.
The game’s physics engine will be more advanced due to the addition of visuals and AI improvements. Vehicle handling, weather effects and environmental destruction will all be more detailed which will both CPU and GPU power. All of these elements combined make GTA 6 more demanding game than GTA5 which means you’ll need a modern setup to experience it at its best.
GTA 6 System Requirements
Though Rockstar has not officially announced the system requirements so far but based on recent high-end AAA games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 we can make a reasonable assumption about what GTA 6 might look like. Given these games it’s unlikely that GTA 6 will work with less than 16GB RAM, at least a well-equipped GPU that has 6GB of VRAM and a contemporary multi-core CPU.
For those wanting to play the game on lower settings a GTX 1660 Ti or similar should suffice though for high settings and silky smooth gameplay an RTX 3080 or higher will be required. Also with games nowadays opting for SSD storage for quicker load times GTA 6 will probably require an SSD over an HDD.
If you plan to play GTA 6 with 4K Ultra settings you will require an RTX 4080 or above at a minimum with 12GB VRAM or more. We’ve based this estimate on contemporary gaming standards but the nearer we get towards the actual launch date, we will see much more detailed info from Rockstar regarding system demands.
Comparison: GTA 6 vs. GTA 5 System Requirements
To put things into perspective, let’s take a look at GTA 5 vs. GTA 6 system requirements. The disparity is very high, with GTA 6 needing more than three times the power across most components. Whereas GTA 5 was able to manage with outdated hardware using 4GB RAM and an entry-level graphics card, GTA 6 will need a significantly more up-to-date configuration. The move from DirectX 10 to DirectX 12 will also result in older GPUs not even being able to run the game.
Most gaming PCs could run GTA 5 when it was initially launched, even on mid-range hardware. But that won’t be the situation with GTA 6. The game’s vast open world, high-quality textures, and advanced AI will require a serious hardware upgrade for those who have been holding onto their old rigs. If you’re still using an HDD, now might be the time to upgrade to an SSD, as Rockstar’s recent games have shown a significant improvement in loading times when using solid-state drives.
How to Upgrade Your PC for GTA 6
If your PC doesn’t have the anticipated requirements, don’t fret. There are a number of ways to improve your system without spending a fortune. One of the simplest and most affordable upgrades is increasing RAM. With GTA 6 likely to demand a minimum of 16GB, upgrading to 32GB is an excellent investment for those seeking smoother performance.
For upgrading the GPU, the decision will be based on the resolution you wish to game at. If 1080p gaming is your target, an RTX 3060 or RX 6700 XT might suffice. For 1440p and 4K, though, a more powerful card such as the RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX is suggested. Be careful about the prices of GPUs which changes with the time so wait for best deals to happens before you buy.
Another thing which you can upgrade is your storage. If you are still using HDD then You should upgrade to SDD which will reduce loading time and improve overall performance. NVMe SSDs are better which offers faster speed and better efficiency. You can also upgrade your CPU to a modern multi-core processor like the Ryzen 7 5800X or Intel i7-12700k for smooth gameplay and better framerates.
So do you upgrade your PC today or hold off? If you own an expensive PC with an RTX 3080 and 32GB RAM you’re probably good to go. If your PC is barely hitting the minimum requirements you might have to reduce settings to play smoothly. But if you own an older PC with a GTX 1060, 8GB RAM and an HDD you will definitely need to upgrade. For those set to construct a new gaming computer, holding back for official requirements from Rockstar prior to spending money is the best idea.
Now that we’ve gone through all that it’s time to hear from you. Post your PC specs in the comments and let us know if you believe your system can run GTA 6. Are you looking to make any upgrades?
