Comparison

GTA 6 VS GTA 5: WHAT'S CHANGED?

Grand Theft Auto VI is the biggest leap in the series since the jump from GTA IV to GTA V. Here's how GTA 6 compares to GTA 5 across graphics, map size, system requirements, price, and features.

At a Glance: GTA 6 vs GTA 5

GTA 5 released in 2013 on Xbox 360 and PS3, then came to PC in 2015. GTA 6 releases on November 19, 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC version expected later. The jump in technology over 13 years is enormous.

Category	GTA 5 (2013/2015)	GTA 6 (2026)
Release Year	2013 (console) / 2015 (PC)	2026 (console) / 2027+ (PC expected)
Setting	Los Santos & Blaine County (San Andreas)	Vice City & Leonida (fictional Florida)
Protagonists	3 (Michael, Franklin, Trevor)	2 (Jason & Lucia)
Map Size (Estimated)	~75 km² (including water)	~200-300 km² (leaks suggest 2-3x larger)
Engine	RAGE (modified)	RAGE 9 (next-gen)
Storage Required	~90 GB (HDD supported)	~250 GB SSD (mandatory, NVMe recommended)
Minimum GPU	NVIDIA 9800 GT / AMD HD 4870	GTX 1660 / RX 5600 XT (leaked)
Minimum RAM	4 GB	16 GB (leaked)
Ray Tracing	Not supported	Supported (console & PC)
Standard Price	$59.99 (2013) / $39.99 (current)	$79.99
GTA Online	Legacy version (2013)	Enhanced version with new features

Map Size: Vice City is Massive

GTA 5's map covers approximately 75 km² (including water). Based on leaks and trailer analysis, GTA 6's Vice City map could be 2-3 times larger, potentially reaching 200-300 km². The map includes urban Vice City, surrounding swamps (Everglades-inspired), beaches, and multiple smaller towns across the state of Leonida.

For comparison, the GTA 6 map is rumored to be larger than Red Dead Redemption 2's map (~130 km²) and significantly bigger than GTA 5's Los Santos.

Based on leaked information

Graphics: A Generational Leap

GTA 5 was built for Xbox 360/PS3 hardware from 2005. GTA 6 targets current-gen consoles (PS5/Xbox Series X) using Rockstar's new RAGE 9 engine. Key visual upgrades include:

Ray tracing for reflections, shadows, and global illumination
Higher polygon counts” characters and environments are far more detailed
Improved physics” more realistic water, destruction, and vehicle handling
AI-driven animation” NPCs have more natural movement and reactions
Dynamic weather” hurricanes and storms that affect gameplay
4K resolution with higher texture quality

RAGE 9 Engine

System Requirements: A Massive Jump

The system requirements for GTA 6 are dramatically higher than GTA 5. Here's how they compare:

CPU: GTA 5 needed a Core 2 Quad Q6600” GTA 6 needs a Core i5-6600K / Ryzen 5 3600 (minimum)
GPU: GTA 5 ran on a GTX 660” GTA 6 needs a GTX 1660 / RX 5600 XT (minimum)
RAM: GTA 5 required 4 GB” GTA 6 needs 16 GB (4x more)
Storage: GTA 5 used ~65 GB on HDD” GTA 6 needs ~250 GB on SSD (SSD mandatory)

Check if your PC meets GTA 6 requirements →

Leaked specs

Price: Games Cost More Now

GTA 5 launched at $59.99 in 2013 (about $80 adjusted for inflation). GTA 6 starts at $79.99 for the Standard Edition, reflecting the industry-wide price increase to $70-80 for AAA titles. The Ultimate Edition costs $99.99 and includes bonus content.

See full GTA 6 price & editions breakdown →

Official pricing

Gameplay & Features: What's New?

GTA 6 introduces several features that weren't in GTA 5:

Dual protagonists” first female lead (Lucia) in mainline GTA
Dynamic interactions” deeper NPC relationship system
Enhanced heists” more complex planning with multiple approaches
Real estate” buy properties beyond just safehouses
Improved wanted system” more realistic police AI
Next-gen GTA Online” larger lobbies, better anti-cheat

New features

Disclaimer: GTA 6 has not been released on PC. All GTA 6 information including system requirements, map size, and features is based on leaked information and industry analysis. Official details will be confirmed by Rockstar Games. GTA 5 information is based on the official PC version.

Release Date File Size Price & Editions Benchmarks

Check if Your PC Can Run GTA 6

FAQ

GTA 6 VS GTA 5: COMMON QUESTIONS

Is GTA 6 map bigger than GTA 5?

Yes, based on leaks and trailer analysis, GTA 6's map is estimated to be 2-3 times larger than GTA 5's. While GTA 5's Los Santos covered ~75 km², GTA 6's Vice City and Leonida could span 200-300 km², including multiple cities, swamps, beaches, and rural areas.

Will GTA 6 have better graphics than GTA 5?

Absolutely. GTA 6 uses the new RAGE 9 engine with ray tracing, higher polygon counts, improved physics, and much more detailed environments. The graphical leap from GTA 5 to GTA 6 is comparable to the leap from GTA IV (2008) to GTA V (2013)” but even more significant due to the 13-year gap.

How much more RAM does GTA 6 need vs GTA 5?

GTA 5 required only 4 GB of RAM minimum. GTA 6's leaked requirements suggest 16 GB minimum and 32 GB recommended” a 4-8x increase. This reflects the massive jump in texture quality, world detail, and simulation complexity.

Will my GTA 5 PC run GTA 6?

If you built a PC specifically for GTA 5 in 2015, it will not run GTA 6. GTA 5 ran on a GTX 660 and Core 2 Quad” GTA 6 requires at least a GTX 1660 and Ryzen 5 3600 / Core i5-6600K. A mid-range PC from 2020 or later should handle GTA 6 at minimum settings. Check your specs →

Is GTA 6 more expensive than GTA 5?

Yes. GTA 5 launched at $59.99 in 2013. GTA 6's Standard Edition costs $79.99. After adjusting for inflation, $59.99 in 2013 equals about $80 today, so the real price is similar” but the upfront cost is higher. The Ultimate Edition at $99.99 is a new premium tier.

Will GTA Online progress carry over from GTA 5?

Rockstar has not confirmed whether GTA Online progress or characters will transfer from GTA 5 to the new GTA Online in GTA 6. Given that GTA 5's Online mode is a separate ecosystem, a fresh start is expected, though some cosmetic bonuses for returning players are possible.