With a lot of focus on Grand Theft Auto 6 lately, it can be easy to forget that its predecessor is still a game that has a large, active player base that benefits from many GTA Online updates as well as a very active modding community that has seen multiple role-playing offshoots emerge. The title, which was first released on PC in April 2015, has come a long way with plenty of new content, heists, and quality-of-life updates in tow since.
Thanks to its loyal player base as well as periodically new and returning players, GTA V remains an ongoing concern when it comes to an open-world title for most players across a variety of platforms including current and previous generation consoles, gaming PCs, and Gaming Laptops alike.
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GTA V: Hardware Requirements Revisited
Rockstar North keeps an up-to-date set of PC hardware requirements for GTA V with the last update being made as early as May 2024:
GTA V's current PC hardware requirements, as published on its support website.
The hardware requirements are considerably lower than other mainstream titles that aim to capture the scale of Rockstar's considerably vast universe and highlight the high level of optimization that the title offers, allowing it to run at most low-end PCs with a discrete GPU in 2024. The two major outliers that one can see here are the Windows 10 64-bit requirement for the OS and the somewhat high storage requirement (120GB of HDD space).
The former is due to most PC clients, including Steam no longer supporting older versions of Windows, and the latter is due to content that has been periodically added to the title over time to keep its online component up to date for players.
The team at Game ZXC is cognizant of the fact that most of GTA V's requirements refer to dated PC hardware, which is no longer sold readily, and also that users might want to push the game to its limits using 3rd party mods including higher-end textures, higher resolutions while playing at a high frame rate ( >144 fps). The team has therefore suggested 3 major PC build options, including an entry-level, a mid-range option, and a high-end option for playing GTA V maxed out at FHD, QHD, and UHD resolutions with ease while leveraging current-generation hardware below.
The Starter Entry-Level GTA V PC Build For Gaming In 2024
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Intel Core i3-14100F
$112 $140 Save $28Intel Core i3-14100F is a refreshed version of the i3 13100F, now with higher clock speeds that go to as much as 4.7 GHz. Based on Intel's older Alder Lake architecture rebadged as a Raptor Lake Refresh offering, the CPU brings 4 performance cores and a total of 8 threads to get started with any small or medium-scale application. With its capable single-core performance, it holds its own versus most entry-level processors in gaming and productivity alike.
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TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 DRAM 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 3200MHz Desktop Memory Module (PC4-25600) CL16 RAM
The TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 DRAM 16GB Kit is a set of desktop memory modules designed to deliver enhanced performance and compatibility. Comprising two 8GB modules, this kit operates at 3200MHz (PC4-25600) and features a CL16 latency for efficient and responsive performance.
Incorporating high thermal conductive adhesive, the T-Force Vulcan Z effectively dissipates heat, promoting stable and consistent operation. This memory kit is compatible with both Intel and AMD motherboards, providing versatility for a wide range of system configurations. -
MSI PRO H610M-G DDR4
MSI PRO H610M-G is an entry-level LGA1700 motherboard for Intel's 12th, 13th, and 14th-gen CPUs with support for basic components like DDR4 memories, a graphics card, M.2 SSDs, and SATA drives. Despite being entry-level, the board comes with EZ Debug LEDs for troubleshooting and will be ideal for ultra-budget gaming/office builds.
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Kingston NV2 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD
$61 $75 Save $14This internal solid-state drive from Kingston has 1 TB of digital storage capacity. The NV2 series SSD is designed to be compatible with laptops. It operates on PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4 technology, features an M.2 2280 form factor, and delivers read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s. It has lower power requirements, generating minimal heat, which makes it perfect for compact devices.
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PNY GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR6 Dual Fan Graphics Card
The PNY GeForce GTX 1650 is the ideal graphics card for gamers on a budget or building a compact power-efficient rig. This PNY graphics card maximizes the potential of the NVIDIA Turing architecture, with variable rate shading, mesh shading, and multi-view rendering. The PNY GeForce GTX 1650 requires a system running only a 300-watt or greater power supply.
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Thermaltake Smart BM2 550W
The Thermaltake Smart BM2 500W ATX power supply is made for smart PC builds, with an efficiency rating of up to 86%. The power supply's 120 mm Ultra Quiet fan manages substantial airflow without annoying background noise. The Thermaltake Smart BM2 500W provides the security of a 5-year warranty.
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ANTEC AX61
ANTEC AX61 is a gorgeous mid-tower that is priced much lower than cases with similar functionality. It features a spacious interior that is clearly visible through the tempered glass panel and has 4x 120mm RGB fans pre-installed. The front panel is fully meshed and results in a balanced airflow inside the case for better heat dissipation.
Target Resolution: FHD With High/Ultra Presets
The entry-level gaming PC above aims to target a sub-$500 price tag while generously exceeding GTA V's hardware requirements, coming closer to the immensely popular roleplaying server requirements when it comes to RAM. It pairs a fast quad-core Intel Core i3 14100F CPU with 16GB fast, low latency DDR4 RAM and an entry-level MSI H610 motherboard (A BIOS update may be required to allow the 14th generation CPU to be detected).
The build integrates a large entry-level 1TB PCI-E 4.0 NVMe SSD from Kingston into the mix even as it makes a cost-conscious pick of a PNY GTX 1650 (with 4GB of VRAM) that can run the game reasonably well at high or ultra presets at a targeted FHD resolution. It also chooses a 550W Thermaltake PSU which is adequate for the underlying hardware while splurging slightly on the case end, opting for an Antec AX61 case that offers 4 preinstalled fans and plenty of airflow to go with it.
All in all, the PC above is a balanced entry-level offering that caters to GTA V, its well-established modding and roleplaying community as well as many modern esports titles, all of which can be run considerably well with a sub-$500 budget in play.
Estimated Cost: ~$562
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The Recommended Mid-Range GTA V PC Build For Gaming In 2024
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AMD Ryzen 5 7600
$189 $230 Save $41The Ryzen 5 7600 is the entry-level, yet very capable, gaming CPU from AMD that features 6 cores, 12 threads, and 32MB of L3 cache. It has a base clock speed of 3.8GHz and a boost clock speed of 5.1GHz. The Ryzen 5 7600 is an unlocked processor with a default TDP of 65W. It also has integrated RDNA 2 graphics and is the cheapest offering in the lineup with an iGPU.
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G.Skill Flare X5 Series (AMD Expo) 6000MHz 32GB (CL36)
The G.Skill Flare X5 Series RAM kits are DDR5 RAMs that operate at an overclocked 6000MHz sweet spot for AMD AM5 processors with a lower latency EXPO profile available to allow users to overclock their memory with a push of a button while costing significantly lower than the competition.
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Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi
Asus TUF Gaming B650 Plus Wi-Fi brings Tuf grade components for high durability and has large heatsinks for effective passive cooling. The motherboard provides full support for CPU and memory overclocking on a budget and comes with plenty of connectivity ports. While best for budget and mid-range Ryzen CPUs, it can also support overclocking higher-end CPUs as well.
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Kingston FURY Renegade 1TB PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe M.2 Internal Gaming SSD
This version of the Kingston FURY Renegade SSD has a storage capacity of 1 TB and is designed to work with both laptops and desktops. It operates on PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe technology, which allows it to achieve read speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s and write speeds of 7,000 MB/s. The cooling solution on this one is a low-profile graphene aluminum heat spreader, but the SSD is also available with a heat sink.
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MSI GeForce RTX™ 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC
$293 $315 Save $22The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC is an excellent GPU offering as far as RTX 4060 offerings go. It offers an excellent, balanced take on Nvidia's entry-level Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4000 series, offering low power consumption, a compact design, and a single 8-pin power connector to handle its power needs, making it a silent performer that delivers on its promise.
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Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W
$90 $100 Save $10The Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W power supply is a fully modular offering in the long-running Toughpower series. It is an 80-Plus Gold-rated PSU with peak power of 750W, which is sufficient even for most high-end PCs. It features a PCIe Gen 5.0 connector to power GPUs with the new 12VHPWR cable. It also follows the ATX 3.0 standard for better power excursion and low-load efficiency. The 120mm fan has a Smart Zero Fan mode for silent operation.
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GAMDIAS ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer PC Case
The GAMDIAS Aura GC2 is another great mid-tower ATX PC case. It comprises a tempered glass casing through which users can view all the components inside. Besides enabling users to view inside, the PC case is suitable for RGB connection with a compatible motherboard. It has four built-in 120mm ARGB fans, which help cool down the PC while working hard during gaming sessions. Also, unlike other PC cases that require tools during installation, this case is completely tool-free.
Target Resolution: FHD/QHD With Ultra Presets
The mid-range build above opts for a considerably faster CPU solution, going with the Zen 4-based AMD Ryzen 5 7600 that offers unlocked clocks, excellent instructions per cycle (IPC) performance, and great thermals versus the competition, even as it leverages a stock cooler that AMD provides as part of the package. It is paired with fast, low-latency 'for AMD' RAM from G.Skill that has the requisite EXPO profile on offer in addition to a balanced B650-based ASUS TUF motherboard that offers Wi-Fi 6, plenty of connectivity and decent power delivery in tow.
The build spends considerably more on fast PCI-E 4.0 SSD storage in the shape of the Kingston Fury Renegade as well as MSI's RTX 4060 Ventus OC, which offers adequate performance to handle GTA V maxed out with relative ease. With a 750W Gold-rated Thermaltake PSU and well-designed Gamedias case in tow, the build aims to offer an excellent GTA V experience, both online and offline, while keeping things humming at the highest presets. This does, in effect, make it a recommended, well-rounded PC build that allows users to play GTA V maxed out without any performance limitations in play even at QHD/2K resolutions with relative ease.
Estimated Cost: ~$1,014
The Overkill High-End GTA V PC Build For Gaming In 2024
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AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
$340 $449 Save $109The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is AMD's latest and greatest CPU when it comes to gaming. With an excellent and highly efficient gaming performance that tops the charts currently, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is here to stay and has a crown to claim thanks to its 3D V-Cache-enabled prowess when it comes to gaming on a PC.
The octa-core CPU currently happens to be the fastest in the business for gaming even as it leads efficiency charts at the top, making it a very sought-after gaming upgrade. -
Corsair H100x RGB Elite Liquid CPU Cooler
Corsair H100x RGB Elite brings a gorgeous 240mm AIO design with customizable ARGB lighting on both fans and the CPU block. With flexible tubing, the block can be installed in any orientation and poses no clearance issues. Compatible with the latest intel and AMD platforms, the H100x RGB Elite serves as a wonderful mid-range AIO cooler for overclocking.
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G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO Series (AMD Expo) 64GB Kit CL30
The G. Skill Trident Z5 NEO sticks are a pair of 32GB RAM sticks that conform to AMD's more stringent EXPO memory requirements for overclocking. With tight timings and a CAS latency of just 30-40-40-96.
With a subtle RGB effect and a premium feel, the Trident Z Neo is one of the best premium RGB RAM sticks money can buy that is designed for AMD-based systems. -
NZXT N7 B650E Gaming Wi-Fi 6 Motherboard
The NZXT N7 B650E Gaming Wi-Fi 6 Motherboard is an excellent AMD socket AM5-based motherboard based on the 650E chipset with decent overclocking, excellent power delivery, and above-average expansion slots in tow. It comes in a white or all-black design that is enthusiast-friendly in terms of its design and feature set.
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SAMSUNG 990 PRO w/ Heatsink SSD
The Samsung 990 Pro is the fastest PCI-E Gen 4 SSD that Samsung has to offer, and it comes with a new, bold design on the heatsink that should blend in with most gaming PCs and allow the PlayStation 5 to use it optimally. Trading at an impressive discount over MSRP, the Samsung 990 Pro is pretty much the maximum performance that users can eke out on most modern gaming PCs from the 2TB SSD.
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ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER OC
The ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER OC is an excellent aftermarket take on the RTX 4080 SUPER, offering a higher boost clock than the stock option even as it clocks in an additional $100 on MSRP. It offers excellent reliability, power delivery, and one of the best aftermarket coolers one can get for Nvidia's higher-end RTX 4000 series GPUs.
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MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU
$197 $200 Save $3The MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU is built from the ground up to support the ATX 3.0 spec while also being PCI-E 5.0 compatible in a fully modular design without costing an arm and a leg unlike some of its nearest competitors, making it a viable contender for a gaming PC.
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LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 PC Case
The LANCOOL 216 is a mid-tower case with all-around mesh panels for optimal airflow. Thanks to its modular rear panel, it can be optimized for air or water cooling. It includes 2 x 160mm and 1 x 140mm pre-installed PWM fans and an innovative rear PCIe fan bracket to maximize airflow.
Target Resolution: QHD/UHD With Ultra Presets
The High-end build for GTA V pushes for performance at the highest tier, picking up the fastest gaming CPU on offer, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, and pairing it to Nvidia's penultimate consumer-grade GPU, the RTX 4080 SUPER, for a considerable performance bump on offer in a configuration that should play all modern and upcoming titles in 2024 with relative ease. The build aims to allow users to max out GTA V at 4K (or higher) resolutions with plenty of mods and customizations, many of which use photorealistic textures, something that the RTX 4080 SUPER mows down with relative ease for the most part.
The build does this by leveraging low latency G.Skill DDR5 RAMs, a well-built NZXT B650E-based motherboard, and liquid cooling from Corsair to keep things going at full speed. The other components also see noteworthy upgrades, including the fastest PCI-E 4.0 SSD in play, the Samsung 990 Pro coming with a dedicated heatsink and a generous 2TB trim, making for an excellent offering that is matched by an efficient PCI-E 5.0 and ATX 3.0 compliant MSI MPG A1000G PSU that can handle a future RTX 4090 upgrade with relative ease.
This coupled with the Lian Li Lancool 216 case which offers excellent airflow and plenty of room for current and future components makes the high-end build an easy-to-build and, down the line, upgrade offering that can max out GTA V (and relevant modifications with relative ease).
Estimated Cost: ~$2,562
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FAQ
Q: Should I Get An SSD For GTA V On PC?
An SSD makes a world of a difference for most GTA V playthroughs and is close to being a necessity for gamers intending to play GTA Online unless they are willing to spend a much longer period with loading screens on an HDD-based PC configuration.
Q: Does GTA V Run Well On 8GB Of RAM?
GTA V is very well-optimized to run with 4 or 8GB of RAM which was the norm when it was originally released in 2013 on last-gen consoles (that also sport 8GB of RAM in different configurations).
While 3rd party mods and servers such as FiveM and other Roleplaying mods recommend 16GB of RAM for optimal performance, most users would be able to play the title without any issues with 8GB of RAM on their gaming PC or laptop.
