GTA 5 has long been a staple in the gaming community, and while it may feel like an eternity since its last significant upgrade for consoles, the recent launch of the Enhanced PC version on March 4 has reignited interest. Performance testing has been conducted using two popular graphics cards from the previous generation: the RTX 4070 and RX 7800 XT. These mid-range powerhouses are tasked with rendering a nearly 12-year-old game that now boasts a variety of modern graphical enhancements, including ray-traced shadows and reflections, upgraded ambient occlusion, global illumination, and support for DLSS 3 and FSR 3 upscaling to maintain smooth frame rates.
Despite some initial hiccups with benchmarking on the Asus ROG Ally X, real-world testing provided valuable insights. With ray tracing enabled, performance dipped below 30 fps, which is less than ideal for a seamless gaming experience. However, when set to Very High with ray tracing turned off, frame rates comfortably ranged between 40 to 70 fps. This suggests that while ray tracing adds visual flair, it may not be the best choice for portable gaming, as the game retains its stunning visuals at 1080p with Very High settings.
Best settings
From my perspective, the Maximum RT preset does not provide enough value on either tested card. The RTX 4070 manages to maintain an average of 100-110 fps at this setting, but dropping to Very High RT yields a significant 35 fps improvement, allowing for a more enjoyable gaming experience without the constant worry of frame rate fluctuations. For the RX 7800 XT, this adjustment eliminates sub-60 fps drops entirely.
Both graphics cards demonstrate impressive capabilities with the provided presets, making extensive adjustments in the settings menu unnecessary. I explored various options, including shadows and textures, in search of performance bottlenecks, but the gains from tweaking individual settings were minimal.
The vast game world of GTA 5 presents a challenge for performance testing, as it is impossible to explore every area for potential frame rate issues. For instance, Franklin’s backyard showed significant frame drops, likely due to dense vegetation and fencing. It stands to reason that other areas may exhibit similar performance dips, although many locations tested did not show comparable issues.
Ultimately, opting for Very High RT on both graphics cards provides a comfortable buffer against frame rate drops, ensuring a smooth experience and slightly enhanced image quality compared to the Maximum setting. It is encouraging to see that GTA 5 Enhanced can deliver ray-traced lighting at high frame rates on last-generation hardware, allowing players with mid-range machines to dive into the action without excessive tinkering.
As the Enhanced edition serves as a reminder of the game’s enduring appeal, players can look forward to immersing themselves in the vibrant world of Los Santos, where stunning reflections and chaotic traffic accidents await. For those keen on experiencing the latest enhancements, the weekend promises to be filled with beautifully-lit mayhem.
