Table of Contents

Is GTA V Really 100GB? Unpacking the File Size Mystery

The question of whether Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) clocks in at a hefty 100GB is a common one among gamers. The short answer is: it can be, but it’s not always a flat 100GB. The actual file size of GTA V varies depending on several factors, including the platform you’re playing on, the version of the game, and whether you have installed updates and downloaded additional content like GTA Online DLCs. Let’s dive deeper into why this number fluctuates and what you can expect.

Understanding GTA V File Sizes

Initially, when GTA V was released, the base game was considerably smaller. Over time, Rockstar Games has released significant updates, patches, and downloadable content, particularly for GTA Online, which has significantly expanded the game’s footprint. This explains the varied numbers you might see floating around.

Base Game vs. Full Installation

The base game of GTA V generally sits around 60-75GB. However, this figure is rapidly outdated the moment you start downloading additional content. The online component is responsible for a large portion of the increased size, adding new vehicles, clothes, properties, heists, missions, and other content that rapidly inflates the install size. Many players may easily find their copy of the game growing to 90GB, 100GB, or even more.

Platform Differences

The file size varies across different platforms:

PC: On PC, the initial download size for GTA V hovers around 94GB. This may fluctuate based on version and how much additional content is included.
PlayStation 4 (PS4): The PS4 version usually ranges between 68-76GB, but this is again, before updates.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S: The newer consoles versions may differ and tend to be similar to PC.

The Impact of Updates and DLC

One of the main reasons for the larger file size is the ongoing additions and updates, especially the free GTA Online expansions. Each DLC adds substantial content, including new maps, features, and gameplay elements. This constant stream of new material is why the file size continues to grow over time.

Why the Game is So Large

There are several reasons why GTA V is such a large game. The open-world environment is vast and meticulously detailed, filled with buildings, streets, landscapes, and a multitude of interactable objects. All this detail requires a lot of storage space. Additionally, the game features a large amount of textures, audio files, and character models which contributes to its overall file size. The 3D game with all its assets, textures, and audio files is why it needs such big space. The huge variety of customizable items in GTA Online, including more than 5000 clothing items, multiple vehicle liveries and hundreds of properties also bloats the overall size.

Making Room for GTA V

Given its considerable file size, it’s important to ensure you have enough free space before attempting to download and install the game. A 100 GB or more is a good figure to aim for, especially if you intend to play GTA Online and stay updated with new content. It is advisable to have even more than that, so you don’t face any issues. On PC, some users even recommend having 115GB of free space. If you plan to have mods installed then you should ensure you have plenty of space, at least 200GB.

Storage Recommendations

Minimum Space: Aim for at least 80GB for the base game, with another 20-30GB to accommodate updates.
Recommended Space: 100-150GB to ensure smooth gameplay and space for updates.
Ideal Space: 200GB or more for the base game, updates, and space for mods and future content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the size, storage, and performance of GTA V:

1. How much space does the initial download of GTA V require on PC?

The initial download of GTA V on PC is typically around 94GB.

2. Is 80 GB enough for GTA 5?

80GB is generally not enough for a complete GTA V installation with updates and DLC. The base game needs that space at least, but updates and online play will require extra space. It’s best to have at least 100GB available for a complete GTA V experience.

3. Why does my GTA V installation seem to take up more than 100GB?

The extra space is likely due to downloaded content, game updates, and various GTA Online expansions. New updates and DLC add significant new content that bloats the game files. The content that is continually added for the online game is the reason it gets heavier over time.

4. Is a 500GB hard drive enough to play GTA V?

Yes, 500GB is enough to play GTA V. The game’s total storage is likely less than 150GB, so you will still have a lot of space for other games. If you have a 500GB HDD, GTA V will need about 60GB. Make sure you don’t fill up the storage with other applications and games to have a good experience.

5. What’s the recommended hard drive size for GTA V, including DLCs?

It’s recommended to have around 150GB to 200GB of free space on your hard drive to comfortably accommodate GTA V and all of its additional content.

6. How much RAM do I need to play GTA V?

The minimum RAM requirement for GTA V is 4GB, but 8GB is the recommended amount for smoother performance. 16GB of RAM is plenty for the game to run well.

7. Is 12GB RAM good for GTA V?

Yes, 12GB RAM is generally good for GTA V and will allow it to run well.

8. Can I run GTA V with a GTX 1650 graphics card?

Yes, a GTX 1650 graphics card can run GTA V and other heavy games smoothly.

9. Why is GTA V so large compared to other games?

The large file size of GTA V is primarily due to its highly detailed open world, the vast amount of assets, textures, audio files, customizable content, and continuous updates, and it has a lot of content. The open world is kilometers wide. The sheer amount of content and the details in the open world are why it’s so huge.

10. Is GTA VI going to be bigger than GTA V?

Reports suggest that GTA VI will be extremely massive, with rumored file sizes of up to 750GB. However, this needs to be confirmed as GTA 6 is not yet released.

11. Is GTA V one of the biggest games in terms of sales?

Yes, GTA V is one of the biggest games in terms of sales, rivaling entire established franchises. It is not, however, the biggest selling game as Minecraft holds that crown.

12. What is the average time to complete the story of GTA V?

The average time to complete the main story of GTA V is around 31.5 hours.

13. How long does it take to achieve 100% completion in GTA V?

To achieve 100% completion in GTA V, it takes around 82 hours on average.

14. Why is GTA V still so popular?

GTA V remains popular due to its immersive role-playing community, commonly called GTA RP, allowing players to join servers and become immersed in the game like never before. It is also addictive as you can do activities that you cannot in real life.

15. Why is GTA V sometimes slow or lagging?

Slow or lagging gameplay can be caused by several things including network issues, slow internet, bad routing, or hardware problems. Make sure you have a good network connection and good enough hardware, CPU, GPU and RAM.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the initial download size of GTA V may appear to be around 70-90GB, the full installation size can easily reach or exceed 100GB, especially with ongoing updates and content added for GTA Online. So, to definitively answer the question Is GTA V 100GB?, it can be and often is, depending on platform, game version and add-ons. Make sure you have plenty of storage space available to enjoy the game without issues and stay updated with new content.