If you plan to dive into GTA 6 on day one, you’re probably wondering: should I buy the PS5 Pro or stick with my current console? With Rockstar gearing up to drop one of the biggest game releases of the decade, gamers everywhere are debating whether the mid-gen PS5 Pro upgrade is worth it—especially for a game as demanding and cinematic as GTA 6.
The truth? It depends on what kind of experience you’re chasing. Suppose you care about ultra-crisp visuals, smoother performance, and squeezing every last pixel out of your 4K TV. The PS5 Pro might be precisely what you’re looking for in that case. But if you’re more focused on enjoying the game’s world and story, your regular PS5 (or even Xbox Series X) could still hold its own.
In this article, we’re breaking down what matters—performance, graphics, future-proofing, and whether the PS5 Pro will give you a better GTA 6 experience. Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
The GTA 6 Phenomenon
Why GTA 6 is the Most Anticipated Game of the Decade
Let’s be real—GTA 6 isn’t just a game; it’s a moment a Cultural juggernaut. The kind of release that gets airtime on CNN and memes flooding your feed before launch day even hits. Rockstar Games hasn’t dropped a new mainline GTA in over a decade, and with every whisper, leak, and trailer, the hype train turns bullet-speed.
Rockstar’s Legacy of Console-Pushing Releases
Rockstar has a reputation for squeezing every ounce of power from consoles. From the cinematic vistas of Red Dead Redemption 2 to the bustling chaos of GTA V, they push hardware to the edge. So, naturally, when GTA 6 comes knocking, the question arises—what hardware should you answer with?
Enter the PS5 Pro
Mid-Gen Refresh: What It Means
Sony loves a good refresh. Remember the PS4 Pro? It brought 4K-ish gaming and improved visuals for the power-hungry crowd. The PS5 Pro follows the same tradition—a mid-gen upgrade that promises more juice for the same games.
PS5 Pro vs PS5: A Quick Specs Rundown
Here’s what you’re getting with the PS5 Pro compared to the base model:
- 67% more GPU compute power
- 28% faster memory bandwidth
- PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR)
- Ray tracing enhancements
What’s not upgraded? The CPU—which, as we’ll see, might be the Achilles’ heel.
(Also See: PS5 vs PS5 Pro: Ultimate Comparison – Upgrade or Wait?)
The Performance Debate
60 FPS: The Dream or Delusion?
Let’s address the pixelated elephant in the room: Will GTA 6 run at 60 FPS on PS5 Pro?
CPU Bottlenecks Explained
According to tech experts like Digital Foundry’s Richard Leadbetter, the answer is… probably not. The CPU in both PS5 models is identical. And Rockstar’s games are CPU-intensive. We’re talking about simulating traffic, dynamic weather, NPCs, and police systems—all in real time.
If the CPU can’t keep up, no matter how buff your GPU is, you’re stuck at 30 FPS.
GPU Improvements in Context
The PS5 Pro has serious graphical muscle. It can offer better shadows, lighting, reflections, and a more stable resolution. But smooth framerates? Not without a complete system redesign. So don’t expect buttery 60 FPS unless Rockstar rewrites its engine logic—which isn’t likely.
The Visual Advantage
What the PS5 Pro Can (Realistically) Offer
Now, don’t throw your DualSense out the window just yet. GTA 6 on PS5 Pro will look gorgeous. Think of higher native resolutions, better draw distances, and smoother anti-aliasing.
PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR)
PSSR is Sony’s answer to DLSS. It uses AI to upscale images to 4K without hampering performance. This could allow GTA 6 to run at nearly 4 K with rich visuals, all while keeping the console cool and quiet.
Texture Quality, Ray Tracing, and Resolution Gains
PS5 Pro’s increased memory bandwidth means better textures and lighting. You’ll see finer detail in puddles, neon signs, and car reflections, which make Rockstar’s open world feel real.
Expert Insight
Richard Leadbetter’s Take
In an interview with IGN, Leadbetter nailed it: “This isn’t a GPU struggle—it’s a CPU stalemate.”
Even with improved rendering speed, the PS5 Pro can’t escape the fact that its brain (the CPU) is still stuck in the same gear. But he’s optimistic about the visual leap, mainly how Rockstar handles fidelity.
Historical Parallels with Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5
Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS4 Pro? Gorgeous, but capped at 30 FPS. GTA 5? There are sharper visuals on PS4 and PS5, but it’s not a framerate miracle. History tells us Rockstar favors cinematic quality over raw frames-per-second.
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Who Should Buy the PS5 Pro
If you:
- Own a 4K TV and care about every pixel
- Want the best possible version of GTA 6
- Plan to play other upcoming AAA titles (like Spider-Man 3, The Last of Us 3, etc.)
Then yeah, PS5 Pro is your go-to.
Who Can Stick With the Standard PS5
If you:
- Already own a PS5 and are satisfied with 1080p–1440p visuals
- Don’t care about ray tracing or upscaling magic
- Just want to enjoy GTA 6’s story, world, and chaos
Then, save your cash. You’re good to go.
Future-Proofing with PS5 Pro
Looking Beyond GTA 6
Let’s zoom out. The PS5 Pro isn’t just about one game. Think about what’s coming:
- Horizon 3
- Final Fantasy XVII
- Ghost of Tsushima 2
Sony’s following exclusives will almost certainly be optimized for the Pro. If you want longevity in your console investment, that extra firepower might age more gracefully.
Other Upcoming Games to Consider
Games like Death Stranding 2, Silent Hill 2 Remake, and Wolverine are shaping up to be tech showcases. Expect better performance across the board on PS5 Pro.
Final Verdict
Investment or Indulgence?
It boils down to this: Is the PS5 Pro a need or a want?
For the perfectionist, it’s a worthy indulgence. But for most gamers, the PS5 (base model) will run GTA 6 just fine—and still wow you.
What Kind of Gamer Are You?
Visual purist or framerate fanatic? Budget-conscious or future-proofing for the next decade? Your answer will decide your console destiny.
Conclusion
GTA 6 is gonna slap, no matter what. But the PS5 Pro? It’ll slap just a little harder—visually, at least. If you’re hunting for cutting-edge detail and want to future-proof your setup, the PS5 Pro has perks. But Rockstar’s magic won’t pass you by if you’re happy with beautiful gameplay on current-gen hardware. Choose wisely, gamer.
