The PlayStation 5 Pro and the base PlayStation 5 model share the same CPU model, which is the bottleneck for the complex open-world games.
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.
The good news is the PS5 Pro's increased GPU power could allow for better-looking and higher resolution textures, improved lighting effects, and, at the very least, the kind of stable performance at 30 FPS befitting a $700 console. Additionally, Sony's new AI-driven upscaling technology, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, could potentially enhance visual quality without significantly impacting performance.
If we're wishing, Sony might help Rockstar optimize GTA 6 better to allow the game to run at a guaranteed 40 frames per second, similar to Marvel's Spider-Man 2 with its "VRR Smooth" mode.
Rockstar Games, for their part, has remained tight-lipped about GTA 6 except maybe when they're describing it as a game that will help set a new creative benchmark in the entertainment industry. It's possible they may have optimization tricks up their sleeves that could surprise both fans and analysts alike.
Speaking of GTA 6, industry insiders have debunked the earlier rumors of a GTA 6 delay, but the game is still not in the clear yet. Without a fixed release date, a delay is still possible, but unlikely until otherwise confirmed.
