GTA VI: Most Current Consoles Fall Short of 60 FPS

There is a huge community that is extremely excited about the long-awaited title from Rockstar Games. We are, of course, talking about GTA VI. However, some leaked information suggests that most current gaming consoles will not be able to reach 60 fps when running the game, which would lead to a less-than-optimal experience. Let us find out the reasons and if there is any workaround.

The performance "problem" of GTA VI on modern console systems

With an unprecedented level of graphics and simulation, GTA VI could pose a "brain-damaging problem" for even the most powerful hardware today, including the PS5 Pro or Xbox Series X.

Most players will set expectations that new-generation systems like the PS5 Pro should smoothly at 60 FPS without encountering any problems. But life is not like a dream; leading technical analysis experts (such as Digital Foundry) predict that GTA VI is quite likely to be locked at 30 FPS on all console systems at launch, including the PS5 Pro.

The main reason lies in the CPU bottleneck. First, the Leonida map features a dense NPC population, a complex traffic AI system, and extremely heavy physics simulation algorithms (collisions, water waves, environmental interactions). All of these tasks are handled by the CPU of the gaming consoles.

And although the PS5 Pro has a powerful upgrade in graphics (GPU) to handle 4K resolution and ray-tracing technology (real-time lighting), its CPU architecture is only slightly improved compared to the standard PS5, and this CPU power is not enough to carry the colossal amount of calculations of the game at a speed of 60 frames/second.

Looking back at the history of Rockstar's games, from GTA V to Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar has always had a tradition of maximizing perfect image detail at a stable 30 FPS, instead of sacrificing visuals in exchange for 60 FPS on older consoles.

To address this limitation, Rockstar is reportedly optimizing intermediate solutions to leverage modern display technologies:

• PS5 / Xbox Series X: Players can lower the resolution to 1080p/1440p to target 60 FPS (but will experience frame drops in crowded downtown areas).
• PS5 Pro: Absolute stable 40 FPS (for displays that support a 120Hz refresh rate or VRR technology). This is the perfect compromise that helps the game run much smoother than 30 FPS without overloading the CPU.
• Xbox Series S: Unfortunately, up until now, Rockstar has not yet come up with a useful method to solve the problem of increasing FPS for GTA VI on this console.

In short, if you are preparing to play GTA VI on PS5 or Xbox Series X late this year, please prepare yourself mentally to receive a peak experience in terms of visuals, but it will be smooth in a "30 FPS cinematic" style instead of the super-fast 60 FPS response of regular shooter games. Remember to use our comparison tool to buy GTA VI at the cheapest price!