GTA 5’s Graphics Are Getting a Massive Upgrade with DLSS 4, FSR 3, and Ray Tracing
Rockstar Games just dropped some big news for PC players—GTA 5 is getting a free graphics upgrade on March 4, 2025. This update finally brings support for modern features like NVIDIA DLSS 4, AMD FSR 3, and full ray tracing, which wasn’t possible before due to the game running on DirectX 11.
Until now, mods like NaturalVision Evolved (NVE) and ENB did their best to improve lighting and reflections, but they relied on screen-space technology, which had major limitations. Things like reflections on cars, water, and buildings weren’t truly ray-traced, and shadows could look inconsistent. But with Rockstar finally moving GTA 5 to DirectX 12, these next-gen features can now run natively.
How the Update Changes GTA 5’s Graphics
For years, GTA 5 has been held back by its old engine, but this update is set to change that. Here’s what’s coming:
- DLSS 4 & FSR 3: Boosts performance by using AI upscaling, making the game run smoother without losing detail.
- Ray Tracing: More realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections—think actual mirror-like reflections on cars and buildings, not just approximations.
- Better Performance on Modern GPUs: DirectX 12 allows better CPU and GPU utilization, making the game run more efficiently on newer hardware.
What About Mods Like NVE and 5Real?
While this update is a huge step forward, some ultra-high-quality mods like 5Real and NaturalVision Evolved (NVE) might still have the edge in certain areas, like vegetation, texture resolution, and ultra-detailed environmental assets.
Modders have spent years refining the game beyond Rockstar’s official updates, so it’ll be interesting to see how the new official remaster compares to these community-made enhancements. That said, having ray tracing and AI upscaling built directly into the game is a massive win for everyone.
Requirements Stay the Same for Modders (Mostly)
Even with all these upgrades, GTA 5 will still support DirectX 10 for Dolby Audio, meaning older hardware won’t be completely left behind. But to take full advantage of these new features, you’ll definitely need a DX12-compatible GPU Like RTX 20 series.
Final Thoughts
After over a decade, GTA 5 is finally getting the graphics update it deserves, bringing it closer to next-gen visuals. Whether this will fully replace high-end mods like NVE or 5Real remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure Los Santos is about to look better than ever.