GTA 6 System Requirements & Platform Leaks: Everything You Need to Know

The gaming world is holding its breath as we approach the November 19, 2026 release of Grand Theft Auto 6, and the biggest question on everyone's mind is: Can my PC even run this monster?

After multiple delays and countless leaks, we finally have a clearer picture of what hardware you'll need to experience Vice City in all its glory. Spoiler alert: it's time to start saving for that GPU upgrade.

Console Launch First, PC Players Left Waiting

Here's the reality check: GTA 6 is confirmed to launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S when it drops on November 19, 2026. If you were hoping for a simultaneous PC release, prepare to be disappointed.

Take-Two's press release clarified that the 2026 date is console-specific, and PC players are expected to wait until 2027. Rockstar is following their tried-and-true strategy from GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 by keeping PC gamers waiting six months to a year after the console launch.

Why the delay? It's not just about maximizing sales (though that's definitely part of it). Rockstar's previous PC releases included bonus features upon launch to compensate for the delay, so PC players will likely get enhanced graphics options, mod support, and additional content when their turn finally arrives.

The Leaked PC System Requirements

While Rockstar hasn't officially confirmed PC specs, numerous leaks and industry analysis have painted a pretty clear picture. Based on leaked playtesting footage, trailer analysis, and comparisons to current-gen console hardware, here's what experts predict:

Minimum Requirements (Predicted)

To meet the estimated minimum requirements, you'll need an Intel Core i5-6600K CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 GPU, and 12GB of RAM. This setup should get you into Leonida, but don't expect the jaw-dropping visuals from the trailers.

Full Minimum Specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 equivalent
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD RX 5700
RAM: 12-16GB
Storage: 150GB SSD (minimum)
OS: Windows 11
DirectX: Version 12

Recommended Requirements (Predicted)

Want to actually experience GTA 6 the way Rockstar intended? Experts estimate you'll need an Intel Core i7-10700 CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, and 16GB of RAM to meet the recommended specs.

Full Recommended Specs:

CPU: Intel Core i7-10700 or AMD Ryzen 7 equivalent
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6800 XT
RAM: 16-32GB
Storage: 200GB NVMe SSD
OS: Windows 11
DirectX: Version 12

Leaked playtesting footage reportedly showed an RTX 2080 SUPER graphics card in use, making it very likely that Rockstar will recommend a similar or better graphics card for the official release.

Storage: Clear Your Drives Now

Based on map leaks and GTA 5's storage footprint (over 100GB), experts project that GTA 6 will require approximately 150GB of SSD space for the PC download. Some predictions go as high as 300GB once all updates and DLC content are factored in.

And here's the kicker: Many sources claim GTA 6 won't be compatible with HDDs at all, meaning an SSD will be mandatory, not optional. The game's massive open world and advanced streaming technology will demand the faster load times that only solid-state drives can provide.

Why These Requirements Are So Demanding

Let's be honest: GTA 6 is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in open-world gaming. The trailers showcase:

Unprecedented crowd density with NPCs following complex daily routines
Ray-traced reflections on glass skyscrapers
Dynamic weather systems with realistic water physics
Mud tracking on vehicle tires
Social media integration within the game world

With the requirements easily surpassing the enhanced version of GTA 5, Rockstar Games is building GTA 6 on an even more powerful version of their in-house RAGE engine. This next-generation technology is what's driving these hefty system requirements.

No Last-Gen Console Support

Rockstar has definitively confirmed that GTA 6 will not release on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One systems. This makes GTA 6 a true current-generation exclusive, designed from the ground up to leverage modern hardware capabilities.

The technical gap between old and new consoles is simply too vast. We're talking about 16GB of GDDR6 RAM in new consoles versus 8GB of DDR3 in last-gen, plus SSD speeds that are 50-100 times faster than old hard drives.

What About PS5 Pro?

With Sony's PS5 Pro now available, many are wondering if GTA 6 will take advantage of the upgraded hardware. According to tech experts, the game likely won't run at 60fps even on PS5 Pro, though it may feature higher quality visuals. Rockstar appears to be prioritizing visual fidelity over frame rate performance.

The $100 Question: Price Speculation

Here's something to prepare for: Industry analyst Matthew Ball has forecast that GTA 6 could cost $100 in his report on the state of video gaming in 2025. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has promised pricing will be "fair," but also noted the company has "had variable pricing forever" and special editions "can be priced up."

With development costs reportedly exceeding $2 billion, a premium price tag isn't out of the question.

Should You Upgrade Now?

If you're a PC gamer planning to play GTA 6, here's the brutal truth: most gaming rigs older than five years will struggle. The good news? Rockstar Games is known for optimizing their titles well, and GTA 5's lasting performance proves their technical expertise.

My advice: Wait for official system requirements before pulling the trigger on expensive upgrades. When Rockstar finally announces the PC version (likely in mid-to-late 2026), they'll release confirmed specs that will give you a better picture of what's actually needed.

In the meantime, if you're running anything less than a GTX 1660 or have less than 16GB of RAM, start planning that upgrade budget. This isn't just another game release—it's a generational leap in open-world gaming that's going to demand generational hardware to match.

The Bottom Line

GTA 6 represents Rockstar's most ambitious project to date, and the system requirements reflect that ambition. Console players get first dibs in November 2026, while PC gamers will need patience, powerful hardware, and possibly deeper pockets.

The wait will be long, the requirements will be steep, and the price might make you wince. But if the trailers are any indication, Vice City is about to deliver an experience that makes every sacrifice worth it.

Are you ready for GTA 6? Drop your current specs in the comments and let us know if you're team "time to upgrade" or team "my rig is ready!"