GTA 6 on PS5 Pro: Why 60 FPS Is Unlikely and 40 FPS Is Discussed

Video by Judo Chicken. Watch on YouTube.

Everyone wants Grand Theft Auto VI to run at 60 FPS, but according to Judo Chicken, the number players should actually hope for might be 40. While the debate continues to dominate community discussions, a closer look at the confirmed details and technical realities reveals why 40 FPS could be the ideal middle ground. This breakdown separates official facts from rumors to help you understand what to expect when the game launches.

What is officially confirmed

Currently, Rockstar Games has not announced any specific performance modes for GTA VI. There are no official announcements regarding 30, 40, or 60 FPS targets. However, the following details have been confirmed by the developer:

• Launch Date: The game is set to release on November 19.
• Launch Platforms: It will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
• PC Version: Rockstar Support has confirmed there is no PC version at launch, and no specific date has been provided for a future PC release.
• PS5 Pro Label: Since June 2026, the game has carried a "PS5 Pro Enhanced" label on the PlayStation Store. However, Rockstar has not detailed exactly what enhancements this label includes.

Why 60 FPS is difficult

The primary obstacle to reaching 60 FPS is not the graphics card, but the CPU. As noted by Digital Foundry in a report via TechRadar, hitting 60 FPS "feels like a bridge too far." In a city as dense as GTA VI, every car, pedestrian, and physics simulation must be processed every single frame.

While the PS5 Pro features a significantly upgraded graphics chip, its CPU is only slightly faster than the standard PS5 model. This allows for better lighting and sharper images, but it is unlikely to provide the massive performance boost required to double the frame rate from 30 to 60.

The case for 40 FPS

Judo Chicken argues that 40 FPS is a "magic number" for this title. Here is the mathematical reasoning:

• Frame Time: At 30 FPS, each frame lasts about 33 milliseconds. At 60 FPS, it is about 17 milliseconds. At 40 FPS, it is 25 milliseconds, sitting exactly halfway between the two in terms of feel.
• Workload: To achieve 40 FPS, the console only needs to perform a third more work than it does at 30 FPS, rather than doubling the effort required for 60 FPS.

However, there is a significant catch: 40 FPS only runs smoothly on a 120 Hz TV. Because 40 divides evenly into 120, every frame gets exactly three refreshes. On a standard 60 Hz TV, the frame pacing would likely result in stuttering. Players are advised to check their display settings before the launch date. This approach is not unprecedented, as Sony’s own titles, such as Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and Horizon Forbidden West, utilize 40 FPS modes on the PS5.

Reports and rumors

Beyond the official silent stance, several reports and leaks have circulated:

• The Davy Jones Report: YouTuber Davy Jones visited Rockstar North and reported that Rob Nelson, a studio lead, stated the console versions currently run at 30 FPS. Nelson indicated that a 60 FPS option is still undecided and depends on the tech team's final decisions.
• Digital Foundry Analysis: The analysis suggests a 40 FPS mode "could be possible" if 60 FPS is determined to be unfeasible.
• Unconfirmed Leaks: A removed PlayStation France page listed features like PSSR and advanced ray tracing for the PS5 Pro, but did not specify frame rates. Additionally, a Polish podcast called Rock and Borys claimed modes for both 30 and 60 FPS exist, with 60 FPS potentially arriving after launch. This claim is based on a single source and remains unverified.

What players are saying

Community reactions generally focus on prioritizing stability and visual fidelity over high frame rates. Many players note that a stable 30 FPS with high-quality graphics is preferable to an unstable frame rate. One popular sentiment is that "30 has always been standard" for Rockstar games, and that players’ eyes adjust to the pacing after about 20 minutes of play.

Others argue that 40 FPS is a "good thing" given the visual scale of the game. Some viewers expressed frustration with the hype, stating they will play the game regardless of the frame rate, while others are considering waiting for the PC version to ensure higher performance. A few users highlighted that visual elements like motion blur and vignette are more detrimental to the experience than the raw frame rate count.