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LikeSkyrimandThe Last of Us,GTA 5has seen numerous re-releases, spanning from its initial launch on seventh-generation consoles to its arrival on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. However, despite its decade-long lifespan, the game had only one PC version — until now.
Rockstar has finally given thePC version ofGTA 5a long-awaited upgrade. This update has split the game into two versions:GTA 5 LegacyandGTA 5 Enhanced. If you’re unsure about the differences between them or which version to play, below is a detailed overview of what makes each version special.
GTA 5 Upgrade Explained
For the last couple of years, the PC version ofGTA 5lagged behind its ninth-generation console version. Both Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 received a significant update featuring major technical improvements,including ray tracing, along with new content such asadditional vehicles inGTA Online. However, PC players were left waiting for those enhancements.
On March 4, a long-awaited update finally arrived, making the PC version ofGTA 5even more advanced than its console counterparts. However, since not everyone has high-end hardware, Rockstar introduced two separate versions:
The best part? All PC players can upgrade to the Enhanced version for free, including those who originally claimed the game for free via the Epic Games Store.
GTA 5 Enhanced – New Features & Improvements
TheEnhancedversion ofGTA 5introduces a variety of upgrades, from new vehicles to gameplay enhancements. Here’s everything that has been added:
Additional Enhancements
GTA 5 Enhanced Edition – Technical Upgrades
The Enhanced version ofGTA 5brings with it several major technical improvements, making it the definitive edition for PC players.
Performance & Visual Enhancements
New System Requirements
These technical improvements have raised the base system requirements forGTA 5 Enhanced. However, theLegacyversion remains unaffected and retains its original requirements.
Windows 10 (latest service pack)
Intel Core i7-4770 or AMD FX-9590
Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
8 GB
16 GB (Dual Channel Mode)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1630 (4 GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon RX 6400 (4 GB VRAM)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (8 GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon RX 6600XT (8 GB VRAM)
105 GB (SSD Required)
Ongoing Support for Legacy Version
Should You Play GTA 5 Legacy or Enhanced?
WhileGTA 5Enhancedhas some minor issues— likely to be fixed in future updates — it is vastly superior toLegacy. The ability to migrate progress makes theLegacyversion largely obsolete for most players.
For PC players,theEnhancedversion is the clear choice. Thanks to improvements like Ray Tracing, new vehicles, and faster loading speeds, the game doesn’t feel like a decade-old title.
The only reason to stick withLegacyis if your PC cannot handle the new version. Otherwise, upgrading toGTA 5 Enhancedis the way to go.
