If this leak is accurate, then GTA 6 is about twice as large as GTA 5.
GTA 6 is just a few days away, and now there’s a first leak regarding the game’s potential download size. We’ve put together a list for you showing how long the download might take and how you can potentially speed it up.
Here’s how long a 210-GB download might take for you
Our international colleagues at GamesRadar have learned that GTA 6 is reportedly about 210 GB in size. If this leak is accurate, the game would be about twice as large as its predecessor.
Here’s how long the download might take with your internet connection:
GTA 6: Estimated Download Times at a Glance (210 GB)
| Internet Speed | Actual Download Speed | Theoretical Minimum Time | Realistic Duration (including buffering) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Mbit/s | approx. 3.1 MB/s | ~ 19 hours | approx. 21 to 23 hours |
| 50 Mbit/s | approx. 6.2 MB/s | ~ 9.5 hours | approx. 10 to 11.5 hours |
| 100 Mbit/s | approx. 12.5 MB/s | ~ 4 hours 45 minutes | approx. 5 to 6 hours |
| 250 Mbit/s | approx. 31.2 MB/s | ~ 1 hour 55 minutes | approx. 2 to 2.5 hours |
| 500 Mbit/s | approx. 62.5 MB/s | ~ 57 minutes | approx. 1 to 1.5 hours |
| 1,000 Mbit/s (1 Gbit/s) | approx. 115–125 MB/s | ~ 28 minutes | approx. 35 to 50 minutes |
What factors slow down the download?
Even with a fast connection, the console rarely reaches the theoretical maximum. The most common bottlenecks:
- Server overload: With such a massive release, even Sony and Microsoft’s content delivery networks (CDNs) are pushed to their limits. Server throttling cannot be ruled out at the start of the preload.
- Console background prioritization: If another game is running on the console at the same time (even a purely single-player game), the operating system throttles ongoing downloads to minimize latency and free up system resources.
- Home network load: 4K video streams, other downloads, or simultaneous online gaming within the same household all share the available bandwidth.
- Wi-Fi Signal: Thick walls or sources of interference in the wireless network can quickly lead to packet loss and fluctuating download speeds.
How to Get the Most Out of It
With just a few simple steps, you can ensure that the game is saved to the SSD without unnecessary delays:
- Connect an Ethernet cable: Connect the console directly to the router via an Ethernet cable. This eliminates wireless fluctuations and ensures the most stable connection.
- Force Wi-Fi to use the 5 GHz band: If a wired connection isn’t possible, use the faster 5 GHz frequency band instead of 2.4 GHz.
- Completely close active games: Don’t leave any other titles paused in the background. Close all open games to free up system resources.
- Use Rest Mode: The PS5 and Xbox Series load most efficiently in Rest Mode, since no user interface or background services are blocking bandwidth. To ensure this, go to Settings and make sure your console stays connected to the internet even in Rest Mode.
- Make the most of the preload window: Use the official pre-download well in advance of launch day to at least partially avoid the release rush and overloaded networks on launch day.
