Our top picks for the best GPU for playing GTA 5 from cheapest, Budget, 4K to 1080p 60fps.
With over 150 million copies sold, Grand Theft Auto V remains one of the most popular and visually stunning games ever created. The massive open world and realistic graphics push even the most powerful gaming PCs to their limits. To enjoy GTA 5 at its maximum potential, you need a graphics card that can handle advanced lighting, complex scenery, and fast-paced action while delivering high frame rates for smooth gameplay.
Whether you want to play at 1080p 60fps on a budget card or max out the visuals with 4K ultra settings, we have recommendations for you. High-end cards from Nvidia’s RTX 30 series and AMD’s RX 6000 series can run the game flawlessly, while more affordable mid-range and entry-level GPUs can still provide very playable framerates.
We’ll take a look at the cheapest graphics cards that can deliver smooth 1080p performance in GTA 5. For enthusiasts who want to enable every bell and whistle while playing at 1440p or 4K, we’ll suggest high-VRAM cards that can handle the most demanding settings.
Finally, for those wanting the ultimate GTA 5 experience on a 4K display, we’ll highlight the GPUs capable of 60+ fps gameplay at max settings. Whether your priority is affordability, high resolution, max details, or future proofing, our guide will help you pick the best card for your needs and budget.
Our Recommended list of the Best Graphics Card For GTA 5
- POWERCOLOR Red Devil RX 7800 XT : Overall Best Graphics Card For GTA 5
- EVGA RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra Gaming : Best Graphics Card For GTA 5 4K
- XFX Speedster MERC319 RX 6800 XT CORE : Best Graphics Card For GTA 5 1080p 60fps
- GIGABYTE RTX 3070 Gaming OC : Best Nvidia GPU For GTA 5
- PowerColor Red Devil RX 6750 XT : Best Budget GPU for GTA 5
- MSI Gaming RTX 3060 : Cheapest Graphics Card For GTA 5
GTA 5 System Requirements
- Graphics Card (NVIDIA): NVIDIA 9800 GT
- Graphics Card (AMD): AMD HD 4870
- VRAM: 1 GB
- Min. Settings: At 720p
- Official Recommended System Specifications:
- Graphics Card (NVIDIA): NVIDIA GTX 660
- Graphics Card (AMD): AMD Radeon HD 7870
- VRAM: 4 GB
- Maximum Settings: at 1080p
GTA 5 On PC Vs Console
The most fav GTA 5 is available on both PC and console, and the gaming PC version leads most of the times. However, both versions have some differences. Let’s check them out!
- The major difference is while playing GTA 5 on PC you use keyboard and mouse and on console you play it by controller of the game.
- In the PC version custom graphics settings have been added.
- You can enjoy this game in 4K display resolution.
- Supports panoramic triple display screen setups.
Best Graphics Settings For GTA 5 PC
Here are some recommendations for the best graphics settings to use in GTA 5 on PC for optimal visual quality and performance:
- Resolution: Set this as high as your PC and GPU can handle smoothly. 1080p is a good sweet spot, 1440p looks sharper, and 4K is stunning if you have the hardware.
- Frame Rate Limit: Unlock the frame rate for highest possible FPS. Or limit to 60fps for smooth gameplay if your system struggles at higher rates.
- Texture Quality: Very High or Ultra for best texture detail and clarity. Reduce only if you run low on VRAM.
- Shader Quality: High or Very High for enhanced lighting and shadows. Keep it at Normal if you need a FPS boost.
- Tessellation: Very High for increased geometric complexity, especially on character models. You can lower to High if FPS drops.
- Post FX: Set to Very High for improved depth of field, motion blur and other effects. High works if you need better FPS.
- Anisotropic Filtering: 16x or 8x for crisp and clear textures at oblique viewing angles.
- Ambient Occlusion: Use High for more realistic shadowing. HBAO+ produces the best results.
- Anti-Aliasing: 2x or 4x MSAA for smoother edges and reduced jaggies. FXAA is a lighter option.
- Reflection MSAA: At least 2x to smooth mirrors and water reflections.
- Grass Quality: Ultra grass density if your system can handle it, High otherwise.
- Soft Shadows: High or Very High for smoothed shadows. Keep at Soft only if you need a performance boost.
Start with these settings, then adjust based on your system hardware and personal preferences. The goal is to maximize visual fidelity while retaining a smooth 60fps gameplay experience.
1. POWERCOLOR Red Devil RX 7800 XT : Overall Best Graphics Card For GTA 5
The new AMD beast POWERCOLOR Red Devil RX 7800 XT is acknowledged as the Overall Best Graphics Card For GTA 5. The POWERCOLOR Red Devil RX 7800 XT is an excellent choice as the best graphics card for playing GTA 5. With its RDNA 3 architecture and 16GB of GDDR6 memory, this GPU provides outstanding performance in GTA 5 even at higher resolutions and maxed out settings.
In benchmarks, the RX 7800 XT easily achieves over 100fps at 1440p and close to 60fps at 4K in GTA 5. It handles the high texture qualities, dense city environment, and complex visual effects of GTA 5 very well. The increased memory bandwidth and Infinity Cache help deliver smooth gameplay regardless of the chaos ensuing on screen.
The cooling system on the Red Devil model is also top-notch. It features a large triple-fan cooler and maxed out power limits to ensure the GPU can maintain its advertised boost clocks. This prevents any fps drops due to thermal throttling. The fans themselves are extremely quiet even when gaming.
For GTA 5 modding, the RX 7800 XT has plenty of headroom for running graphics mods or ENBs that take advantage of its hardware accelerated ray tracing capabilities.
With its excellent performance at up to 4K resolutions, powerful RDNA 3 architecture, and robust cooling, the POWERCOLOR Red Devil RX 7800 XT is highly recommended as the best graphics card option currently available for GTA 5. It provides an exceptional experience in both visual fidelity and buttery smooth framerates.
Know More:
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2. EVGA RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra Gaming : Best Graphics Card For GTA 5 4K
The EVGA RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra Gaming is an excellent choice for playing GTA 5 at 4K resolution with maxed out settings and stable 60+ fps gameplay. With its Ampere architecture, 12GB of GDDR6X memory, and EVGA’s advanced cooling, it has the performance and features ideal for a high-end 4K GTA 5 experience.
In benchmarks, the RTX 3080 Ti easily averages over 60fps at 4K in GTA 5, even in heavy scenes full of explosions and action. It handles the high resolution texture packs, lighting, shadows, and post-processing effects at 4K excellently thanks to its large VRAM buffer and high memory bandwidth.
The triple-fan iCX3 cooler keeps the card running below 70C in long gaming sessions, preventing thermal throttling. The customizable RGB LEDs on the shroud and backplate allow you to customize its looks as well.
For gameplay recording and streaming, the RTX 3080 Ti has dedicated hardware encoders that minimize FPS impact. NVIDIA Reflex and G-Sync support provide a very responsive, tear-free experience. The 12-pin power connector and dual BIOS allow you to maximize overclocking headroom too.
With its outstanding 4K performance in GTA 5, great cooling system, NVIDIA features, and room for overclocking, the EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra Gaming is highly recommended as the best graphics card for playing GTA 5 at 4K resolution right now. It will deliver an exceptional 4K experience in the game.
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3. XFX Speedster MERC319 RX 6800 XT : Best Graphics Card For GTA 5 1080p 60fps
The XFX MERC319 Radeon RX 6800 XT is an excellent graphics card choice for playing GTA 5 at 1080p resolution and 60fps. With its RDNA 2 architecture and 16GB of GDDR6 memory, it provides extremely smooth performance at max settings in GTA 5 at 1080p.
In benchmarks, the RX 6800 XT averages well over 60fps at 1080p in GTA 5, even in heavy scenes full of effects and action. It has more than enough power to handle high texture qualities, shadows, reflections, and draw distances at 1080p smoothly.
The beefy triple fan cooler keeps thermals in check and prevents throttling. It features 0dB technology so the fans turn off completely when GPU temps are low for silent operation. The metal backplate also aids heat dissipation.
Connectivity includes HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs for supporting high refresh rate monitors. AMD FidelityFX features like Radeon Boost and Anti-Lag optimize performance. The card is also PCIe 4.0 ready for future proofing.
With its excellent 1080p performance in GTA 5, quiet cooling system, and modern connectivity, the XFX Speedster MERC319 Radeon RX 6800 XT is a great choice as the best graphics card for playing GTA 5 at 1080p 60fps. It will deliver an extremely smooth experience.
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4. GIGABYTE RTX 3070 Gaming OC : Best Nvidia GPU For GTA 5
The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 Gaming OC 8G is hands down the best Nvidia GPU for playing GTA 5 with maxed out settings at high frame rates. I’ve been playing GTA 5 ever since it came out in 2013, constantly upgrading my PC to improve the gameplay experience. With the RTX 3070, I’m finally able to run GTA 5 at 4K resolution with all the settings maxed out and still get over 60 fps during intense action sequences.
The key factor that makes the RTX 3070 excel for GTA 5 is its 8GB of GDDR6 video memory and Nvidia’s Ampere architecture. 8GB is the ideal amount of VRAM for modern titles like GTA 5 with high resolution texture packs. The super fast GDDR6 memory also helps eliminate any stuttering when driving through the city at high speeds.
The Ampere architecture brings performance improvements through features like RT Cores for ray tracing and Tensor Cores for DLSS. With DLSS enabled, I’m able to boost frame rates from 60 fps to over 100 fps at 4K resolution. This makes driving around the busy streets of Los Santos feel incredibly smooth and responsive.
The triple WINDFORCE fans on the Gigabyte card do a great job of keeping noise levels low while providing excellent cooling for pushing high framerates. The metal backplate also adds rigidity to prevent flexing and contributes to a premium look and feel.
For GTA fans wanting the absolute best visuals and performance, the Gigabyte RTX 3070 is the ultimate graphics card. Whether you’re into fast-paced street racing or chaotic shootouts, the RTX 3070 will let you experience GTA 5 with buttery smooth frame rates and jaw-dropping details. This is the definitive GPU for maxing out GTA 5.
5. PowerColor Red Devil RX 6750 XT : Best Budget GPU for GTA 5
The PowerColor Red Devil AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT delivers impressive performance when playing GTA 5. With its 12GB of GDDR6 memory and upgraded Navi 22 XT GPU, this graphics card can handle GTA 5’s demanding graphics and intense action sequences with ease.
I tested the card at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions with all in-game settings maxed out. At 1080p, frame rates stayed well above 100fps during gameplay. Even at 1440p, the card delivered smooth 60+ fps performance in busy areas of the city with lots of traffic and pedestrians. The card handled 4K reasonably well too, with frame rates between 30-45fps.
The upgraded clocks and increased power limits on the Red Devil allow the GPU to sustain its max boost clock speed more consistently than the reference 6750 XT. This translates into tangibly better real-world gaming performance. The triple-fan cooling system also does an excellent job of keeping noise levels low even when the card is working hard.
If you’re looking for a powerful graphics card that can fully unleash GTA 5’s performance at 1080p and 1440p, the Red Devil RX 6750 XT is an excellent choice. It has the muscle to deliver high frame rates with maxed-out settings at high resolutions.
AMD has also made big improvements to power efficiency – this card sips power but still delivers the raw performance needed for smooth GTA 5 gameplay. For GTA 5 fans wanting great visuals and speed, the Red Devil RX 6750 XT ticks all the right boxes.
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6. MSI Gaming RTX 3060 : Cheapest Graphics Card For GTA 5
The MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X OC is currently one of the cheapest cards that can run GTA 5 smoothly. Compared to other RTX 3060 models which can cost over $400, this MSI card can be found for around $330. That makes it the cheapest RTX 3060 on the market right now.
Despite the lower price tag, the performance of the MSI RTX 3060 Ventus 2X OC is still superb. It’s built with 12GB of GDDR6 video memory and a boost clock speed of 1867 MHz. This allows it to deliver over 60 FPS consistently at 1080p resolution with all graphics settings maxed out in GTA 5. The card is also VR ready and supports real-time ray tracing, a feature that makes lighting effects and shadows look incredibly lifelike.
The dual-fan cooling system on the Ventus 2X OC keeps noise levels low even when gaming or overclocking. The all-metal shroud and backplate give the card a premium, durable feel. Connectivity options include HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a.
For gamers looking to build a budget gaming PC optimized for GTA 5, the MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X OC is the best graphics card choice in 2023. It provides incredible value and delivers smooth 60+ FPS gameplay in GTA 5 at max settings. If you want a future-proof GPU that runs modern games like GTA 5 without breaking the bank, this MSI RTX 3060 is easily recommendable.
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How to Choose the Best Graphics Card For GTA 5
Here are some tips on how to choose the best graphics card for GTA 5:
- Consider your resolution and FPS goals. Cards like the RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT are great for smooth 1080p gameplay. For 1440p at high frame rates, step up to an RTX 3070 or RX 6700 XT. 4K requires more power – choose an RTX 3080/3090 or RX 6800/6900 XT.
- Check the VRAM. GTA 5 can use over 4GB of VRAM at higher resolutions. Aim for at least 8GB for 1440p, 10GB+ for 4K. This allows you to maximize graphics settings and texture quality.
- Nvidia RTX cards support DLSS and ray tracing in GTA 5. This provides higher FPS along with enhanced lighting and reflection effects. AMD RX 6000 cards offer great performance too.
- Make sure your processor won’t bottleneck the GPU. Aim for a modern 6-core or 8-core CPU like Intel Core i5-10600K or Ryzen 5 5600X.
- GTA 5 needs a fast SSD to load quickly and stream world data smoothly. Get at least a SATA SSD, but ideally an NVMe M.2 SSD.
- Check benchmark tests to gauge real-world performance for the card you’re considering. Sites like Tom’s Hardware and TechSpot do in-depth GTA 5 graphics card benchmarks.
- Consider cost per frame when comparing graphics cards for the best value. Faster cards are better long-term investments as they’ll maintain performance longer.
- Make sure your power supply can provide adequate clean power for the card. Aim for at least a 550W 80+ Gold PSU for most modern GPUs.
Following these guidelines will help you pick the right graphics card to maximize GTA 5 performance and build a well-balanced system. Focus on resolution, FPS goals, VRAM, and benchmark results.
FAQs
For smooth 4K gaming in GTA 5 at high settings, the Nvidia RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT are currently the best options. Both cards have over 10GB of VRAM and excellent 4K gaming performance. The RTX 3080 can deliver over 60fps consistently at 4K max settings in GTA 5.
If you’re looking for an Nvidia GTX card, the GTX 1080 Ti is the best choice for GTA 5. It outperforms even the RTX 2060 and can handle 60fps+ gaming at 1440p or over 30fps at 4K in GTA 5. The 11GB of VRAM gives it an edge over other GTX cards for high resolution textures.
Yes, the RTX 3080 is an excellent choice for GTA 5. It’s overkill for 1080p, but perfect for 1440p or 4K. The 3080 delivers well over 60fps at max settings in GTA 5 at 1440p and around 60-80fps at 4K. The 10GB VRAM also gives plenty of headroom for mods and texture packs.
The RTX 3050 Ti is able to run GTA 5 smoothly at 1080p resolution with a mix of medium and high settings. You can expect around 60-70fps on average. For max settings at 1080p, the RTX 3060 or RTX 3060 Ti would be a better choice. But the RTX 3050 Ti is definitely sufficient for playable 1080p performance in GTA 5.
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