Gta 5 Grand Theft Auto V Update 164 166 Better (2026)

If you have already updated to Build 164 or 166 and want to ensure you are getting the "better" performance, follow this optimization checklist:

Build 166 relies on Vulkan extensions for the asset loading. Nvidia Driver 560.70+ and AMD Adrenalin 24.8.1+ contain specific optimizations for Build 166. Running older drivers will cause graphical glitches.

To answer the keyword directly, we aggregated data from Reddit (r/GTAV, r/GrandTheftAutoV_PC), the GTA Forums, and the Nexus Mods comment sections.

The Consensus: Yes, it is better for Vanilla Players. No, it is worse for Modders.

Which update actually improved the game state?

With the release of the recent 1.66 Update (The Chop the Dog/LSD Summer Event), the GTA Online community has been debating the quality of content drops. To understand if 1.66 is "better," we must compare it to the massive benchmark set by Update 1.64 (The Criminal Enterprises).

Here is a breakdown of how these two updates stack up against each other in terms of content, economy, and quality of life.

Informative paper: Evolution of GTA Online via Updates 1.64 and 1.66 In the continuous lifecycle of Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V)

, updates 1.64 and 1.66 represent two very different but essential pillars of game maintenance: massive content drops versus critical technical security. While Update 1.64 is "better" for players seeking new things to do, Update 1.66 is "better" for players' safety and long-term game stability. Update 1.64: The Los Santos Drug Wars (Content Focus)

Released in December 2022, Update 1.64 was a major thematic expansion that added substantial gameplay depth:

New Gameplay & Businesses: Introduced the "Los Santos Drug Wars" storyline, the Freakshop social space, and the Acid Lab business (integrated into the MTL Brickade 6x6).

Visual Enhancements: Added Ray-Traced Reflections to the Fidelity Mode on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, providing realistic lighting on reflective surfaces like water and cars.

Quality of Life Improvements: Significant player-requested features were added, such as the ability to hide phone contacts, request bicycles from the mechanic, and launch Casino Story Missions solo.

Economy Boosts: Tripled rewards for Smuggler's Run sell missions and applied high-demand bonuses to vehicle cargo. Update 1.66: Stability and Security (Technical Focus)

Released in early 2023, Update 1.66 was primarily a defensive measure designed to protect the player base from severe exploits: gta 5 grand theft auto v update 164 166 better

Security Fixes: Addressed a major player-to-player messaging exploit on PC that allowed hackers to corrupt or block player accounts, making the game safer to play online.

Stability Improvements: Fixed multiple game crashes across all platforms and resolved an issue where some accounts could not access GTA Online due to third-party stat modifications.

Visual Bug Fixes: Corrected a bug where car windows were missing reflections in certain graphics modes. Summary of Differences Update 1.64 Update 1.66 Primary Goal Major Content & Story Expansion Security & Game Stability New Vehicles 8+ new vehicles (e.g., Entity MT, 300R) None (focused on fixes) Major Mechanic Acid Lab Business & Drug Wars Missions Enhanced Network Security Protocols Platform Impact High (Visuals on Console; Content on all) Critical (Security specifically for PC)

For a deeper look at the specific gameplay changes introduced in the major content update, you can watch this summary of the Drug Wars additions:

Updates 1.64 and 1.66 were transformative for GTA Online , significantly improving the "quality of life" (QOL) for solo and veteran players. While 1.64 brought massive new content through the Los Santos Drug Wars, 1.66 and subsequent patches focused on technical refinements like Ray-Traced Reflections. 🧬 Major Content & Business Upgrades (1.64)

The Los Santos Drug Wars update changed how players generate passive income.

The Acid Lab: A mobile business housed in the Brickade 6x6 that can be run entirely in Freemode.

The Freakshop: A new social hub and mod shop for the Brickade and the Manchez Scout C.

First Dose Missions: Six new story-driven missions that introduce Dax and the Fooliganz crew.

New Vehicles: Eight initial vehicles, including the Överflöd Entity MT (HSW compatible) and the Annis 300R (Imani Tech compatible). 🛠️ Key Quality of Life (QOL) Improvements These changes solved long-standing community frustrations:

Contact Management: You can now hide phone contacts via the Interaction Menu to declutter your phone.

Solo Casino Missions: Agatha Baker’s Casino Story Missions no longer require a partner; they can be played solo.

Faster Deliveries: Reduced the wait time for newly purchased vehicles to arrive in your garage.

Bicycle Support: You can finally request bicycles from the Mechanic just like cars.

Map Blips: Reintroduced the "hide all" option for map icons to clean up the HUD. 📺 Visual & Technical Upgrades (1.64 - 1.66) If you have already updated to Build 164

These updates brought "Next-Gen" parity to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and eventually PC.

Ray-Traced Reflections: Added to Fidelity Mode, providing real-time reflections on vehicles and glossy surfaces. Enhanced FX

: Improved particle effects for fire, smoke, and explosions. PC Parity: 2025/2026 updates finally brought Hao's Special Works (HSW)

and console-exclusive graphics (Ray Tracing, DLSS 3) to the PC version. Economy Rebalancing

Rockstar adjusted payouts to make older businesses more viable:

Smuggler’s Run: Permanent 3x payout increase for Hangar Sell Missions.

High-Demand Bonus: Added a bonus for completing Vehicle Cargo sales in populated public lobbies.

Terrorbyte Buff: You can now launch Sourcing missions from the Terrorbyte in Invite-Only lobbies.

Which part of the update are you looking to dive into? I can help you: Optimize your Acid Lab for maximum profit Find the fastest new HSW cars available on your platform

Set up your phone contacts to only show the people you actually call Next Gen Update for Grand Theft Auto V on PC Coming March 4

The transition from GTA V Title Update 1.64 to 1.66 represents a shift from major content expansion to critical security and stability refinement. While 1.64 added massive gameplay features, 1.66 is widely considered "better" for PC players specifically because it addressed dangerous security vulnerabilities that made GTA Online nearly unplayable. Update 1.64: The Content Heavyweight

Released in December 2022 as part of the Los Santos Drug Wars, this update focused on expanding the game world and improving the "quality of life" for players.

New Gameplay Content: Introduced the Acid Lab business, the Freakshop social space, and several new story missions.

Visual Enhancements (Next-Gen Only): Added Ray-Traced Reflections to Fidelity Mode on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, greatly improving reflections on glossy surfaces and water. Quality of Life Improvements:

Added the ability to hide phone contacts via a "Favorites" option. Which update actually improved the game state

Allowed Agatha Baker Casino Story Missions to be played solo. Bicycles can finally be requested from the Mechanic.

Removed the requirement to complete Hao's Intro Race to access HSW upgrades. Update 1.66: The Essential Security Fix

Released in February 2023, Update 1.66 was a smaller but vital patch designed to protect players from severe exploits.

Security Protocol: Implemented a new data protocol to fix a major messaging exploit on PC that allowed malicious users to corrupt player accounts or block access to the game. Stability Fixes:

Fixed an issue where some accounts were blocked due to modified stats from third parties.

Resolved a bug that incorrectly notified players they needed to complete the Prologue to access Online.

Fixed car windows missing reflections in certain graphics modes. Summary: Which is "Better"?

For Content: Update 1.64 is superior as it provides the actual missions, vehicles, and the Los Santos Drug Wars storyline.

For Safety & Performance: Update 1.66 is the essential standard. It is "better" in the sense that it made the PC version safe to play again by patching game-breaking security flaws that 1.64 did not address. GTAV Title Update 1.64 Notes (PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X

There has been some confusion in the community regarding version numbers, specifically with the recent 1.69 (PS5/Xbox Series) / 1.66 (PC/PS4/Xbox One) update. Many players feel that the jump from the "Criminal Enterprises" (1.64) to the recent "Chop the Dog" (1.66) content represents a step backward in terms of content density.

Here is a detailed post analyzing whether Update 1.64 or Update 1.66 is "better" for the average player.

Update 1.64 marked a massive turning point for GTA Online. Historically, the game had pushed players toward public lobbies where griefing was common and business operations were risky. Update 1.64 changed the meta by introducing The Contract, which brought the legendary Franklin Clinton back into the fold.

More importantly, this update introduced Payphone Hits and the Security Contract system. For the first time in years, high-level missions could be completed entirely in a private session (invite-only) without losing progress. This was a massive quality-of-life improvement, allowing players to grind for the new Dewbauchee Champion and the Impulse Arcade without worrying about being blown up by a Oppressor Mk II every five minutes.

It has been a monumental year for Grand Theft Auto V. Nearly a decade after its initial release, Rockstar Games continues to evolve the sprawling metropolis of Los Santos. While the gaming world holds its breath for GTA 6, the developers have dropped two significant patches—Update 1.64 and Update 1.66—that have fundamentally changed the way we play.

If you’ve been away from the game or are wondering if it’s worth hopping back into your stolen sports car, the answer is a resounding yes. Here is why the 1.64 and 1.66 updates make GTA 5 a better experience for solo players, veterans, and newcomers alike.