PS5 Pro May Struggle to Run GTA 6 at 4K60

The PS5 Pro was recently unveiled, but within 48 hours of its announcement, public sentiment has taken a hit. The high price point of $700/£700, combined with the absence of a vertical stand and a built-in disc drive, has left many fans feeling disappointed. Now, another potential issue looms over the console, further complicating its reception.

One of the most anticipated upcoming games, Grand Theft Auto 6, may be too demanding for the PS5 Pro to handle at 4K resolution with 60fps performance. This revelation, which is sure to unsettle many fans of both the PS5 and the GTA series, raises concerns about the true capabilities of the PS5 Pro, despite its improved specifications.

The PS5 Pro boasts several significant upgrades, including a larger GPU, advanced ray tracing capabilities, and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), an AI-powered upscaling feature designed to enhance frame rates. However, these improvements might not be enough to deliver 4K60 performance in Grand Theft Auto 6, according to a report from Digital Foundry.

In a discussion with IGN, Digital Foundry noted that Grand Theft Auto titles are known for running complex simulations that push a console's CPU to its limits. Despite the PS5 Pro’s enhanced GPU, the console uses the same CPU as the base PS5, meaning the bottleneck for 60fps performance likely lies in the CPU's ability to handle such intensive processes. Digital Foundry stated, “Grand Theft Auto games have always run complex simulations that push the CPU hard... It would be extremely challenging to hit 60fps if the base PS5 version is targeting 30fps. This isn’t a GPU problem, it’s a CPU problem.”

While this may sound disappointing for GTA fans expecting a smooth 4K60 experience on the PS5 Pro, it's important to remember that Grand Theft Auto games have traditionally launched with performance targets of 30fps or lower on their respective consoles. As such, 30fps could be the target for GTA 6 on both the PS5 and PS5 Pro. The Pro version may only offer slightly more stable performance due to the ability to run its CPU at higher clock speeds, delivering a potential 10% boost.

Despite the concerns, Digital Foundry did offer a silver lining, noting that Grand Theft Auto 6 may still benefit from higher-quality visuals and more consistent frame rates on the PS5 Pro. These enhancements would likely come at the cost of performance, meaning that 4K60 may remain out of reach, but players will enjoy a more visually refined experience.

For those wondering if the PS5 Pro’s challenges with GTA 6 spell disaster for the console, it’s worth noting that every GTA game has initially launched with a performance cap of 30fps. What the PS5 Pro promises is more stability in achieving that performance level, even if it falls short of the 60fps many hoped for.

While the PS5 Pro might not offer the performance leap some anticipated, early indicators show that the console could still see strong sales. Fans are already investing in the detachable disc drive for the PS5 Pro, indicating continued interest despite the hardware concerns.

As gamers await further developments, it's also worth keeping an eye on other exciting gaming discoveries. For example, fans of immersive role-playing games recently stumbled upon 15 minutes of hidden content in Baldur’s Gate 3 that had previously gone unseen. The discovery, detailed in this article, highlights how even the most thoroughly explored games can still hold surprises, offering gamers a fresh experience in familiar titles.

Ultimately, while the PS5 Pro may face challenges with high-performance games like GTA 6, it is clear that the console will still provide gamers with visual upgrades and smoother gameplay in many titles. The excitement surrounding the release of GTA 6, along with the vast range of other games expected to benefit from the PS5 Pro’s improved specs, should keep fans eager to see what the next generation of gaming has in store.