[Last Updated: February 2026]
[This article is updated regularly as new info drops. Bookmark it.]
Your GPU is the single most important component for GTA 6 performance. The game’s ray-traced reflections, dense urban environments, and massive draw distances will push graphics cards hard. But you don’t necessarily need the most expensive option — DLSS and FSR change the equation significantly.
Here’s our GPU-by-GPU breakdown for GTA 6, ranked by resolution target and budget.
Quick Recommendation Table
| Target | Best Value Pick | Premium Pick |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p 60 FPS | RTX 4060 ($260) | RTX 4060 Ti ($340) |
| 1440p 60 FPS | RTX 4070 ($400) | RTX 5070 ($550) |
| 1440p + RT | RTX 5070 ($550) | RTX 5070 Ti ($700) |
| 4K 60 FPS | RTX 5070 Ti ($700) | RTX 5080 ($800) |
| 4K + Path Tracing | RTX 5080 ($800) | RTX 5090 ($2000) |
NVIDIA RTX 5070 — The New Sweet Spot
Price: ~$550 | VRAM: 12GB GDDR7 | Best for: 1440p Ultra, 4K High
The RTX 5070 is the GPU to beat for GTA 6. It delivers RTX 4080-class performance at nearly half the price, and DLSS 4’s Multi-Frame Generation pushes frame rates even higher.
Expected GTA 6 Performance:
- 1440p Ultra (no RT): 65-80 FPS
- 1440p High + RT Reflections: 55-65 FPS (70+ with DLSS)
- 4K High: 50-60 FPS (65+ with DLSS)
Verdict: The best GPU for most GTA 6 PC players. Excellent 1440p performance with enough headroom for ray tracing. DLSS 4 makes it punch well above its price class.
NVIDIA RTX 4070 — The Proven Workhorse
Price: ~$400 | VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X | Best for: 1440p High
If the RTX 5070 is out of budget, the RTX 4070 remains an excellent choice. It’s been out long enough that prices are stable and drivers are mature.
Expected GTA 6 Performance:
- 1440p High: 55-65 FPS
- 1440p Ultra: 45-55 FPS (60+ with DLSS)
- 4K Medium: 40-50 FPS (55+ with DLSS)
Verdict: Great for 1440p gaming. Won’t max everything out, but with DLSS 3, it delivers smooth gameplay at high quality. Best value option for those who already own one or find a good deal.
NVIDIA RTX 4060 — Budget Champion
Price: ~$260 | VRAM: 8GB GDDR6 | Best for: 1080p High
The most affordable current-gen NVIDIA GPU that can handle GTA 6 well. DLSS 3 Frame Generation is the key feature here — it effectively doubles the perceived performance.
Expected GTA 6 Performance:
- 1080p High: 55-65 FPS
- 1080p Ultra: 45-55 FPS (60+ with DLSS)
- 1440p Medium: 40-50 FPS (55+ with DLSS)
Verdict: The minimum GPU we’d recommend for a good GTA 6 experience. 8GB VRAM is a concern for future-proofing, but at 1080p it’s sufficient. Best budget option available.
NVIDIA RTX 3060 — The Minimum for Comfort
Price: ~$180 (used) | VRAM: 12GB GDDR6 | Best for: 1080p Medium
The RTX 3060 is aging but its 12GB VRAM gives it an advantage over the 8GB RTX 4060 in some texture-heavy scenarios.
Expected GTA 6 Performance:
- 1080p Medium: 45-55 FPS
- 1080p High: 35-45 FPS
- No meaningful ray tracing capability
Verdict: Playable but not ideal. No Frame Generation support (DLSS 2 upscaling only). Good as a holdover if you plan to upgrade later, but not recommended for a new purchase specifically for GTA 6.
AMD Alternatives
RX 7800 XT (~$400) — NVIDIA 4070 Competitor
16GB VRAM is its biggest advantage. Great rasterization performance at 1440p. Ray tracing is weaker than NVIDIA equivalents, and FSR 3 isn’t quite as good as DLSS 3, but it’s competitive. Good choice if you prefer AMD or find a deal.
RX 7700 XT (~$330) — Solid Mid-Range
12GB VRAM, good 1440p performance without ray tracing. A value pick for players who don’t care about RT effects.
RX 7600 (~$230) — Budget AMD Option
8GB VRAM, decent 1080p performance. Comparable to RTX 4060 in rasterization but lacks DLSS Frame Generation.
The DLSS/FSR Factor
Upscaling technology fundamentally changes the GPU equation for GTA 6:
- DLSS 4 (RTX 50-series): Multi-Frame Generation can multiply frame output by 3-4x. An RTX 5070 at native 40 FPS could display 120+ FPS with DLSS 4. This is transformative.
- DLSS 3 (RTX 40-series): Frame Generation roughly doubles perceived performance. An RTX 4060 at native 45 FPS feels like 80+ FPS.
- DLSS 2 (RTX 30-series): Quality upscaling only. Helps with resolution scaling but no frame generation.
- FSR 3 (AMD, hardware-agnostic): Frame Generation available on any GPU. Quality is slightly lower than DLSS but completely free.
Bottom line: If you’re choosing between NVIDIA and AMD for GTA 6, NVIDIA’s DLSS advantage is significant. The RTX 4060 with DLSS 3 outperforms the RX 7600 with FSR 3 in perceived smoothness, even though raw performance is similar.
How Much VRAM Do You Need?
- 6GB: Not enough. 1080p Low only, with texture pop-in.
- 8GB: Sufficient for 1080p High and 1440p Medium.
- 12GB: Comfortable for 1440p Ultra and 4K High.
- 16GB+: Ideal for 4K Ultra and modded gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best GPU for GTA 6 at 1080p?
The RTX 4060 ($260) is the best value for 1080p. It handles High settings at 60 FPS with DLSS.
What’s the best GPU for GTA 6 at 1440p?
The RTX 5070 ($550) is the sweet spot. For budget 1440p, the RTX 4070 ($400) works well with DLSS.
Can an RTX 3060 run GTA 6?
Yes, at 1080p Medium settings with 45-55 FPS. It won’t be the best experience, but it’s playable. No ray tracing capability.
Is AMD or NVIDIA better for GTA 6?
NVIDIA, primarily because of DLSS. Frame Generation is a game-changer for demanding titles like GTA 6. AMD GPUs offer better raw value per dollar for rasterization, but DLSS gives NVIDIA the edge in real-world perceived performance.
Should I wait for RTX 5060?
If it launches at $299-349 as rumored and you’re targeting 1080p, it could be the best value GPU for GTA 6 on PC. Worth waiting for if you’re patient.
Is 8GB VRAM enough for GTA 6?
For 1080p, yes. For 1440p Ultra and above, you’ll want 12GB+. The trend in AAA games is toward higher VRAM usage, so 12GB is the safer long-term choice.
