The upcoming ray tracing update for the PC version of Rockstar Games’ open world action game, GTA V, appears to be bringing noticeable improvements over its console counterparts.
The Expanded and Enhanced update for the PC version of GTA V that will add ray tracing features to it is one week away from release on March 4, 2025, but we already have our first comparison with the current-gen console versions. It looks like the patch will deliver noticeable graphical improvements.
GTA V Ray Tracing Update: PC vs Console Comparison
A screenshot comparison between the ray tracing update for the PC and existing current-gen console versions can be seen below.
Despite having a similar time of day, the screenshots between the pre-patch and post-patch versions of GTA V on PC exhibit different weather conditions, with the former depicting a higher degree of fog. However, it’s still possible to notice improvements to the lighting, shadows, and ambient occlusion.
Car lights now appear to illuminate roads more prominently and accurately during nighttime. Additionally, the render distance for lights is a lot further in the updated PC version of the game. The moon appears to serve as the primary ray traced global illumination light source during the time of day seen above.
The current-gen console versions feature ray traced shadows and ray-traced reflections in their Fidelity mode, but only ray traced shadows in their Performance RT mode. The updated PC version adds ray traced global illumination or ray traced ambient occlusion, and the above screenshot shows improvements in terms of lighting and AO that aren’t present in the console versions.
As for whether these PC-specific improvements will find their way to the PS5 Pro version of GTA V remains to be seen. Though, given how GTA VI is scheduled for release by the end of 2025, it’s likely that Rockstar Games will focus on completing the development of the upcoming title.
