GTA 6 PC Port may struggle to reach 60 fps, reveals PS5 Netflix trailer analysis

In previews following the GTA 6 Netflix Extended Look, Rockstar North hinted that 60 fps was not a goal even for the PS5 Pro. That may have some console owners contemplating waiting for the PC port’s release date. However, a performance analysis from Digital Foundry explains why the game will stress the most powerful rigs.

Is 60 fps a pipe dream?

The site noted that the lengthy trailer runs at native 1440p, an impressive feat for the base PS5. The frame rate mostly holds at 30 fps, but not without Rockstar developers pushing the hardware to its limits. As a result, Digital Foundry doubts doubling that mark would be realistic on existing Xbox and PlayStation systems.

During the GTA 6 Netflix special, viewers see a Vice City packed with NPCs, traffic, and pedestrians. Simulating that complex open world taxes the CPUs of current-gen consoles. Adding effects like ray-traced global illumination further compromises performance.

The GTA 6 PC port may boost visual fidelity with more advanced lighting and reflections. Evolving DLSS upscaling should also let gamers experience a 4K resolution. Nevertheless, the trailer breakdown cautions that the extreme level of detail “could make hitting 60 fps genuinely challenging in a way we don't often see.”

Digital Foundry suspects that only a machine with a high-end Ryzen X3D CPU would reach 60 fps. Amid the component shortage, building a top-tier gaming PC is a frightening proposition for Xbox and PS5 loyalists. Storage, memory, GPUs, and motherboards have been impacted.

Gaming PC versatility

Despite the daunting task, desktop and laptop users have more flexibility with graphical settings. If a player prioritizes smooth gameplay, they could disable features such as ray tracing to boost frame rates. A lower-resolution monitor would also make high refresh rates achievable.

Rockstar has yet to confirm a GTA 6 PC version or provide clues about its release date. A former producer for the studio revealed that even with the company’s resources, its focus is likely entirely on the Xbox and PS5. Still, recent Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption titles all saw ports arrive within 19 months.