Grand Theft Auto 5 Getting Big Upgrade on PC (2025)

Grand Theft Auto 5 is 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 of GTA 5, but developer Rockstar Games will also issue the upgrade for free on the platform.

Although GTA 5 first 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 5 was ported to PS4 and Xbox One just 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 of GTA 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 of GTA 5 introduced 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 of GTA 5 up to snuff with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S editions. Chief among the list of upgrades coming to GTA 5's PC version is support for ray-traced shadows and reflections. Interestingly, Rockstar will add ray-traced ambient occlusion and global illumination exclusively to GTA 5 on 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 Online players 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 to GTA 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 service is 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 on March 4 and will be available to existing players for free.

The inclusion of these new features has raised GTA 5's PC hardware requirements. Thankfully, Rockstar will support the original PC version of GTA Online for 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.

GTA 5 PC Free Upgrade Hardware Requirements and New Features

General Changes

• Encounter Ambient Animals all across Southern San Andreas and take pictures of them to participate in the daily Wildlife Photography Challenge for new rewards.
• PC players can sign up for GTA+ Membership to get special benefits in the upgraded version of GTA Online and beyond.
• Track your criminal movements across all of GTA Online’s updates with the Career Progress feature as you build your empire.
• Navigate a refreshed Landing Page as your starting destination to get straight into the action. Plus, take advantage of an improved introductory flow for newer players with a GTA$4,000,000 windfall to buy property, vehicles, and other items when you start off as an Executive, Gunrunner, Nightclub Owner, or Biker in the Career Builder.

Hao's Special Works

• Enjoy a range of new vehicles and upgrades at Hao’s Special Works (HSW) that push automotive performance to new heights, and test your driving skills with Premium Test Rides, HSW Races, and HSW Time Trials.
• Newly added vehicles:
  • Coil Cyclone II (Super)
  • Imponte Arbiter GT (Muscle)
  • Karin S95 (Sports)
  • Pegassi Weaponized Ignus (Super)
  • Pfister Astron Custom (SUV)
• Newly upgradable vehicles:
  • Super: Principe Deveste Eight, Överflöd Entity MT
  • Sports: Bravado Banshee, Bravado Banshee GTS, Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT, Penaud La Coureuse, Übermacht Niobe
  • Sports Classic: Benefactor Stirling GT, Grotti Turismo Classic
  • Muscle: Bravado Buffalo EVX, Declasse Vigero ZX, Declasse Vigero ZX Convertible
  • Coupe: Annis Euros X32, Übermacht Sentinel XS
  • Off-Road: Maibatsu MonstroCiti, Vapid Firebolt ASP
  • SUV: Karin Vivanite, Weeny Issi Rally
  • Motorcycle: Shitzu Hakuchou Drag
  • Compact: Grotti Brioso R/A

Technical Enhancements

• Ray tracing features only available on PC such as ambient occlusion and global illumination — plus ray-traced shadows and reflections first debuted on consoles
• Support for AMD FSR1 and FSR3, and NVIDIA DLSS 3
• Faster loading times using SSD and DirectStorage on supported devices and configurations
• Enhanced support for higher resolutions, higher aspect ratios, and higher framerates
• DualSense controller support, with adaptive triggers
• Enhanced audio with support for Dolby Atmos and improved fidelity of speech, cinematics, and music.

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See Also

GTA Vice City PC Game Download Full Version Free

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Grand Theft Auto 5

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.

Open-World

Action

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating: 92/100 Critics Recommend: 92%

Released

September 17, 2013

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Developer(s)

Rockstar North

Publisher(s)

Rockstar Games

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