GTA 6: Not Even the PS5 Pro Will Hit 60 fps, According to Experts

Digital Foundry suggests that GTA 6 will be limited to 30-40 fps even on the PS5 Pro: the bottleneck is in the CPU, not the GPU.

GTA 6 might never reach 60 fps on the PS5, not even on the Pro version of the console. According to Digital Foundry’s technical analysis, Rockstar’s new game will hover between 30 and 40 frames per second, and the culprit isn’t the graphics power—it’s the CPU.

It’s the hottest debate in the community right before launch: the promise of a smooth experience on Sony’s most powerful console is faltering, reigniting the old comparison between the PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S.

Why the CPU, Not the GPU, Is Holding Back GTA 6

The analysis, authored by specialist William Judd, points out that the PS5 Pro offers only a slight improvement in processing power compared to the base PS5: its performance boost is almost entirely concentrated in the GPU, ray tracing, and PSSR upscaling. The problem is that GTA 6 relies on systems that the CPU must manage in real time—traffic density, number of NPCs, per-pixel weather and lighting, and world physics—and those calculations aren’t accelerated by a better GPU. Cutting back on those systems to gain frames, according to Judd, would be “extremely difficult” without compromising the game’s creative vision.

It wouldn’t be the first time Rockstar has prioritized world density over smoothness: Red Dead Redemption 2 also didn’t exceed 30 fps by default on PS4 and Xbox One.

What Digital Foundry Says About GTA 6’s FPS

Digital Foundry’s conclusion is that a 60-fps mode is, in their own words, “a bridge too far.” The most realistic alternative would be a 40 fps mode for 120Hz displays, prioritizing smoothness over resolution rather than forcing 60 fps. Here’s how the analysis summarizes why:

“The PS5 Pro barely improves CPU performance over the base PS5; almost all of its improvement comes from a more powerful GPU, better ray tracing, and PSSR upscaling.”

Note: this is not official information. Rockstar has not confirmed any specific frame rate for any platform. The only verifiable fact so far is that the second trailer ran on the base PS5 at 1440p and 30 fps, and that Sony’s marketing simply displays a generic “PS5 Pro Enhanced” label without specifying what the enhancement entails.

PS5 vs. Xbox Series S: The Theory That’s Falling Apart

Among fans, there was a widespread belief that the PS5 would run at 60 fps while only the Xbox Series S would be stuck at 30. This analysis puts that theory on hold: if not even the PS5 Pro—Sony’s most powerful home console—can break free from the 30–40 fps cap, the actual gap between platforms could be much smaller than previously thought. And it leaves an uncomfortable question hanging for anyone who has bought or is considering buying a PS5 Pro solely for GTA 6: is the extra cost worth it if the frame rate ceiling barely budges?

What Remains to Be Confirmed

All of this remains an external technical analysis, not an official statement from Rockstar. The company hasn’t released performance specifications for any platform, and until it does, any fps figures for GTA 6—including ours—should be viewed as informed estimates, not confirmed facts. You can review everything Rockstar HAS confirmed so far in our Confirmed section.

Would you sacrifice resolution for smoother gameplay in GTA 6, or would you prefer Rockstar to prioritize maximum visual detail even if it means staying at 30 fps? Let us know in the comments, and don’t miss the rest of the news about GTA 6 as the release date approaches.