One of the primary selling points for any console upgrade is the promise of access to improved performance in newer, more demanding games. Naturally, most hoped that this is where the PlayStation 5 Pro would help, allowing titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 to run at a smooth 60 frames per second, preferably at higher resolutions.
Unfortunately, according to industry experts, this dream may be far from reality.
Richard Leadbetter, a respected analyst from Digital Foundry, has poured cold water on these expectations. In a recent statement shared with IGN, Leadbetter explained that despite the PS5 Pro's upgraded GPU and other enhancements, the console's CPU remains largely unchanged from the base PS5 model. This limitation, he argues, will likely prevent GTA 6 from achieving the coveted 60 FPS benchmark on the new hardware.
The crux of the issue lies in the nature of Grand Theft Auto games themselves. Historically, these titles have pushed hardware to its limits, featuring complex open worlds filled with intricate simulations and a multitude of interactive elements. This level of detail and complexity puts a significant strain on a console's CPU, which is responsible for handling these calculations.
Leadbetter points out that every Grand Theft Auto game to date has launched at 30 FPS or lower on its target platforms. Given the expected scale and ambition of GTA 6, it's reasonable to assume that Rockstar Games will once again prioritize visual fidelity and world complexity over frame rate.
As a mid-cycle refresh, the PS5 Pro's specifications don't address this fundamental CPU bottleneck. The new console boasts a GPU with 67% more compute units and a unified RAM system that offers 45% faster rendering. However, the CPU is the same 8-core Zen 2 processor found in the base PS5, with only a modest 10% increase in clock speed.
While the PS5 Pro will undoubtedly be capable of rendering more detailed graphics and potentially achieving higher resolutions, the frame rate GTA 6 is likely to remain capped at 30 FPS.
