I’ve jumped straight into Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced on PC, and the difference in performance and image quality is huge. GTA V is finally where it needs to be for PC players after waiting years for this update to arrive. The improvements aren’t just visual, though, with loading times also improved massively, provided you’re using an SSD.
The GTA V system requirements have been adjusted for this new version of the game, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU is now part of the recommended specs. GTA V Legacy will stay live for now, if you’re worried your PC can’t handle the new version, but certain online features may be inaccessible.
Looking at the performance figures from running the game on an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, playing from the intro through to the end of the first mission as Franklin, in the Maximum RT graphics profile, I was able to achieve 119fps with a 109fps 1% low. Performance is buttery smooth and the image quality is much improved over the dull, aging textures from before the update.
In the above image, you can even see a huge difference between the two highest graphical profiles, thanks to ray tracing. Extra background details are available in the maximum settings, such as scaffolding and a completely different, more detailed texture being used on the crane.
Shadows naturally look very different between the two modes, with softer edges and more gradual dispersion of the shadows in the ray tracing profile, and harsher, less natural shadows within the Very High profile.
Enabling Nvidia DLSS will cause a little bit of ghosting on moving scenery, vehicles, and NPCs, but this was only noticeable when going back over my screenshots.
GTA V is almost 12 years old, and this can’t be overlooked, but with this new enhanced update, its visuals are propelled right back into the top tier. It’s the much-needed refresh that the PC version of the game has been crying out for in more ways than one.
Beyond just the visuals, the loading times are also much improved, possibly thanks to the addition of support for Microsoft DirectStorage. Not only is it much easier to get into the game, with the dreaded long initial loading time reduced to less than 15 seconds, but the ability to skip cutscenes and jump forward to the next section of gameplay is now almost instant, with no need to wait for loading to be complete before you can skip.
All in all, the GTA V Enhanced update is a big win for Rockstar, and while it won’t quell the rage if the GTA 6 release date window on PC is still years away, it at least makes returning to Los Santos on PC a lot more enjoyable right now.
GTA V Enhanced has already seen its player count on Steam jump massively, but reviews are mixed due to player complaints about this not being GTA 6, while others believe the update isn’t enough.
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