Will PS5 Pro Run GTA 6 at 4K60? Experts Say It’s Unlikely

The PS5 Pro, set to release on November 7 at $700, is expected to arrive just ahead of one of the most anticipated games: Grand Theft Auto 6. As the PS5 nears its fourth anniversary, questions have arisen about whether this upgraded console will be essential to fully enjoy GTA 6.

According to Richard Leadbetter, technology editor at Digital Foundry, there's strong evidence suggesting that the GTA 6 trailer shown last year was running on either a PS5 or Xbox Series X. This implies that the base PS5 should handle the level of detail seen in the trailer. However, when it comes to maintaining 60 frames per second (fps), the PS5 Pro might struggle. Leadbetter states that GTA games have historically been CPU-intensive, often launching at 30fps or less. Since the PS5 Pro retains the same CPU as the base PS5, achieving 60fps could be very difficult.

Leadbetter explains that while the PS5 Pro’s GPU upgrades will enhance visuals, they won’t necessarily boost frame rates significantly. GTA 6’s complex city simulations, such as traffic and pedestrian AI, heavily tax the CPU, leaving little room for substantial fps gains. Even with a slight CPU clock speed bump on the Pro, a locked 30fps might be more realistic than a consistent 60fps.

Despite these limitations, the PS5 Pro will still offer visual improvements over the base model, though it won’t necessarily deliver the smooth 4K 60fps experience many hope for. Leadbetter criticizes Sony’s recent presentation of the PS5 Pro, noting that the showcased games, such as Horizon Forbidden West and Spider-Man 2, are already visually stunning on current hardware and don’t demonstrate the potential benefits of the Pro’s advanced upscaling technology, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR).

Leadbetter expects that existing games with dynamic resolution scaling or frame-rate issues in performance modes could see noticeable improvements thanks to the Pro’s 45% increase in GPU power. However, he doubts the relevance of the Pro’s 8K capabilities, suggesting that only a few developers will explore 8K modes due to the limited audience. Even with a powerful PC setup, Leadbetter argues that 8K gaming remains impractical compared to maxed-out 4K experiences.

Some have questioned whether the PS5 Pro is a good value, especially when compared to a gaming PC. While a PC might offer greater power and flexibility, Leadbetter contends that the Pro still provides an unmatched console experience, especially for PlayStation enthusiasts with established game libraries. However, he acknowledges that the lack of a disc drive in the PS5 Pro, despite its high price, is a downside for many users.

Leadbetter speculates that Xbox’s Phil Spencer might feel justified in deciding not to pursue a mid-gen console refresh, as Xbox players can already experience high-end gaming on PCs, bypassing the need for a dedicated “Pro” console. Nevertheless, the PS5 Pro caters to a different audience—one rooted in the console ecosystem. Whether it becomes a must-have for PlayStation fans remains to be seen when it launches this November.