GTA 5 On PC Is Getting Better Graphics, Faster Loading Times, And Lots More With Free Upgrade

Rockstar Games made a big GTA announcement today, and while it's not anything to do with GTA 6, it's still a pretty significant piece of news. GTA 5 for PC is getting a major upgrade, with Rockstar Games bringing over the changes, improvements, and additions from the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions.

On March 4, everyone who owns GTA 5 on PC will be able to access the upgrade for free, with all story mode and online progress supported. There are some key things to know, including that anyone whose hardware does not meet the minimum requirements (below) can keep playing the existing version of GTA 5 on PC, but it will be a separate instance. People on that version will not be able to play together with those running the upgraded version, but support for the older edition will remain.

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If you don't already own GTA 5 on PC, you can grab it through GameSpot sister site Fanatical via the link below. Note that the key must be redeemed through the Rockstar Games Launcher.

In terms of what's included in the new version of GTA 5 for PC, everyone who upgrades gets all manner of new vehicles and vehicle upgrades from Hao's Special Works, along with even more animals populating the game's environments. Additionally, the Career Progress feature will finally be supported on PC, while PC players will be able to sign up for GTA+ for the first time.

Rockstar Games is giving everyone $4,000,000 worth of in-game currency as well to help them get started buying whatever they want.

If your PC is beefy enough, you'll be able to take advantage of new technical features, too, including ambient occlusion and global illumination, along with ray-traced shadows and reflections, some of which are only available on PC. Players can also expect faster loading times, support for higher frame rates and higher resolutions, and better audio with Dolby Atmos.

Additionally, Rockstar confirmed that support for FiveM in GTA 5 on PC will continue uninterrupted.

Looking ahead, Rockstar said it will announce details on the next GTA Online update in March, and while details are thin for now, the studio said the update will focus on "sky-high illicit revenue opportunities" with the character Oscar Guzman.

As for GTA 6, Rockstar Games is planning to launch the game later this year, and the release date might have gotten narrower now that we know when Borderlands 4 is coming.

GTA 5 on PC upgraded system requirements

Minimum

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i7-4770 / AMD FX 9590
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1630 (4 GB VRAM) / AMD Radeon RX 6400 (4 GB VRAM)
• Storage: 105 GB, SSD required
• Sound card and audio: 100% DirectX 10 compatible

Recommended

• OS: Windows 11
• Processor: Intel Core i5-9600K
• Memory: 16 GB Dual-Channel Configuration RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 (8 GB VRAM) / AMD Radeon RX 6600XT (8 GB VRAM)
• Storage: 105 GB, DirectStorage-compatible drive
• Sound card and audio: Windows Spatial Sound-compatible audio system; solution containing Dolby Atmos support required for a Dolby Atmos experience.