Los Santos has never looked better. On Thursday (20), Rockstar Games announced a major free update for Grand Theft Auto V on PC, set to launch on March 4. This update brings a host of technical improvements and new content, previously exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The highlight of the update is the highly anticipated Ray Tracing support, which will take the game’s visual realism to the next level. But that’s not all—players can also expect support for DLSS 3 and FSR 3 upscaling technologies, faster load times, enhanced audio, and even compatibility with the adaptive triggers of the PS5 DualSense controller.
The best part? All PC players who already own GTA V can download the update for free, with progress in both Story Mode and GTA Online fully preserved.
Ray Tracing and Technical Improvements in GTA 5
Ray Tracing support in GTA V is set to deliver more realistic reflections, shadows, ambient occlusion, and global illumination. Imagine cars gleaming under neon city lights at night or building shadows dynamically shifting as the sun moves across the Los Santos skyline.
To ensure smooth performance even with Ray Tracing enabled, Rockstar has integrated support for NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 1, and FSR 3. These AI-powered upscaling technologies render at lower resolutions and then reconstruct high-quality images, boosting performance significantly.
Loading times will also be faster thanks to Microsoft DirectStorage, which allows the SSD and GPU to communicate directly, reducing CPU load. In practice, this means less time staring at loading screens and more time wreaking havoc on the streets of Los Santos.
Other improvements include expanded support for higher resolutions and frame rates, enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos, and better sound fidelity. Additionally, PC players using a PS5 DualSense controller will benefit from adaptive triggers, letting them feel the resistance when accelerating a motorcycle or pulling the trigger of a gun.
New and enhanced vehicles in GTA 5
Hao’s Special Works (HSW) Workshop has finally arrived in GTA Online on PC, bringing major performance upgrades to select vehicles. Now, you can supercharge cars like the Principe Deveste Eight and Buffalo EVX, pushing them to insane speeds.
To put your newly upgraded rides to the test, the update introduces new events, including Time Trials, premium test vehicles, and HSW-exclusive races—the perfect chance to showcase your driving skills and leave your competition in the dust.
Additionally, the update adds five new vehicles to the game:
- Coil Cyclone II (Super)
- Declasse Arbiter GT (Muscle)
- Karin S95 (Sports)
- Pegassi Weaponized Ignus (Super)
- Pfister Astron Custom (SUV)
Important Improvements in GTA Online
To create a fairer and more enjoyable online experience for everyone, Rockstar has introduced new security measures in GTA Online.
The most significant addition is kernel-level anti-cheat protection, designed to make life much harder for cheaters and keep the game more secure.
Additionally, GTA Online now features proactive moderation for voice chat. Using AI-powered detection, the system identifies offensive language and toxic behavior, helping to foster a healthier gaming environment. However, Rockstar reassures players that a bit of friendly trash talk is still allowed.
New benefits for GTA+ members
The premium GTA+ subscription service has finally arrived on PC with the latest GTA V update, offering exclusive perks for members.
Subscribers will receive GTA$500,000 every month, access to the Vinewood Club garage (which can store up to 100 vehicles), free claimable cars, and more.
Additionally, GTA+ members can enjoy a rotating selection of classic Rockstar games, available for download and play. It’s a great option for players looking to enhance their experience in Los Santos while also revisiting some of Rockstar’s legendary titles.
Will old PCs stop running GTA 5?
With all these technical improvements, it is natural that the minimum and recommended requirements of the game have increased. Check out the table below:
| New GTA 5 requirements on PC | ||
| Minimum | Recommended | |
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 4770 or AMD FX 9590 | Intel Core i5 9600k or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB (Dual Channel) |
| Video card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1630 (4GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon RX 6400 (4GB Vram) | NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3060 (8GB VRAM) or AMD RADEON RX 6600 XT (8GB VRAM) |
| Storage | 105 GB, mandatory SSD | 105 GB, SSD Compatible with DirectStorage |
| Sound card | 100% Compatible with Directx 10 | Windows Spatial Sound -compatible audio system; Solution with Dolby Atmos necessary for experience Dolby Atmos |
But don’t worry—if your PC doesn’t meet the new requirements, you can still play the previous version of GTA V without any issues. Rockstar will continue to support both versions, ensuring that no one is left out of the Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas experience.
However, it’s important to note that GTA Online on PC will now be split into two separate instances. This means that players on the updated version won’t be able to play with those who stick to the older version.
This update seems to be Rockstar’s final big push for Grand Theft Auto V, which remains a massive success nearly 10 years after its original release. The game recently surpassed 210 million copies sold, making it the second-best-selling video game of all time.
With GTA 6 nearing completion and its release fast approaching, this could very well be the final chapter for Michael, Franklin, and Trevor before players embark on an all-new criminal adventure. But what a farewell ride it will be! Get your PC ready—crime has never looked this good!
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