GTA 4 is still a fan favorite for its killer story, but let’s be real—its optimization on PC is rough, especially for older or weaker rigs. Released back in 2008, it doesn’t need a beastly PC, but low-end systems can struggle without some tweaks. This guide hooks you up with the best mods and settings to get GTA 4 running smooth as butter on your budget setup in 2025.

Table of Contents

With the right mods and settings, you can make GTA 4 playable even on a potato PC.

1. Best GTA 4 Low-End PC Mods

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These mods are your go-to for squeezing better performance out of GTA 4 on low-end systems. They fix the game’s clunky optimization and keep things looking decent. Always back up your game files before messing with mods.

  • DXVK
    This mod is a game-changer for weak PCs. It swaps out GTA 4’s old DirectX for Vulkan, cutting down stutters and boosting CPU performance. Perfect for integrated graphics or ancient GPUs. Grab version 1.9.4 from GitHub for stability and follow the setup guide.
    Why it’s good: Vulkan runs way smoother than the game’s default renderer, especially on low-end hardware.
  • FusionFix
    FusionFix cleans up bugs, boosts performance, and keeps the game stable. You can lock FPS at 30 for older systems, which helps if you’re on Intel HD or a 512MB GPU. It also adds some console-exclusive visuals without tanking your frame rate. Just drop it in your game folder.
    Why it’s good: Fixes sloppy code and eases CPU strain, making it a must for low-end rigs.
  • GTA IV For Extreme Low PCs
    Available on GTAinside.com, this mod dials back details like cars, pedestrians, and water to keep things running smooth. It’s updated for 2025 patches and works great on 2–4GB RAM setups.
    Why it’s good: Cuts out heavy effects so even super basic PCs can hit 20–30 FPS.
  • FPS Booster And Graphics Improvement For Ultra Low-End PC
    Also on GTAinside.com, this mod tweaks config files to bump up FPS while making the game look a bit sharper. It’s built for stuff like Intel HD graphics or 512MB–1GB GPUs, giving you a solid 10–15 FPS boost.
    Why it’s good: Simplifies settings for better performance without trashing visuals.
  • DayL’s Natural Timecycle
    Want better visuals without killing your PC? This mod tweaks lighting and colors for a cleaner look, no heavy ENB or Reshade needed. It plays nice with 2025 mod setups and barely hits FPS.
    Why it’s good: Makes the game prettier without stressing your hardware.
  • Skip Legal Screens
    Not a performance mod, but it skips those long Rockstar logos at startup, getting you into the game faster on slow systems.
    Why it’s good: Saves time, especially on sluggish PCs.

Heads-up: Stay away from heavy mods like iCEnhancer 4 on low-end PCs—they’re too demanding and don’t work with newer patches like 1.2.0.59. Stick to these lightweight ones.

2. GTA 4 Graphics Settings for Low-End PCs

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Tweaking in-game settings is key to good performance. Here’s a rundown of what to adjust for systems with 4GB RAM, Intel HD graphics, or GPUs with 512MB–2GB VRAM. Test in busy spots like Algonquin with an FPS counter (Steam overlay or MSI Afterburner work great).

High Impact on Performance

  • Video Mode (Resolution)
    Lower resolution means more FPS, but it can make things look rough. Stick to your monitor’s native res (like 1280x720) unless you’re lagging hard, then drop to 800x600. Most low-end PCs in 2025 can handle 720p with DXVK.
    Set it to: 1280x720; 800x600 if desperate.
  • Shadow Quality
    Shadows eat up resources. Turn them to Low or Off for a big FPS boost, especially on integrated graphics. FusionFix helps here too.
    Set it to: Off.
  • View Distance
    This controls how far you see objects. Crank it down to 10–15 to lighten the load on your CPU and GPU in crowded areas.
    Set it to: 10–15.
  • Detail Distance
    Affects detail on far-off stuff. Keep it low (10) to avoid lag spikes. Pick either this or View Distance to tweak, not both.
    Set it to: 10.

Medium Impact on Performance

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  • Aspect Ratio
    Match your monitor (usually 16:9). Messing with it can stretch the screen, so leave it unless you’re testing for extra FPS.
    Set it to: 16:9 or auto.
  • Reflection Resolution
    Controls how sharp reflections look. Set to Low—high settings don’t add much but hurt FPS.
    Set it to: Low.
  • Water Quality
    Water effects aren’t a big deal in GTA 4. Set to Low to save resources.
    Set it to: Low.
  • Night Shadows
    Nighttime lighting and shadows are heavy. Turn to Low or Off since the difference is hard to spot.
    Set it to: Off.
  • Vehicle Density
    Fewer cars on the road means less CPU work. Drop to 10–15 for busy areas.
    Set it to: 10–15.

Low Impact on Performance

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  • Texture Filter Quality (Anisotropic Filtering)
    You can max this out to High or 4x without losing much FPS.
    Set it to: High.
  • Texture Quality
    This makes the game look good. Medium is usually fine for 2025 low-end PCs with DXVK; Low looks blurry.
    Set it to: Medium.
  • Definition
    Sharpens visuals with little performance hit. Turn it On if your system can handle it.
    Set it to: On.
  • VSync
    GTA 4’s VSync is busted and causes stutters. Turn it Off and use something like RivaTuner to cap FPS if needed.
    Set it to: Off.

3. How to Run GTA 4 Smoothly on 4GB RAM

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Beyond mods and settings, a few manual tricks can help GTA 4 run better on 4GB RAM or less. These are tested for 2025 and based on what the community swears by.

  • Modify the stream.ini File
    GTA 4 only uses 2GB of RAM by default, which isn’t enough. To fix:

    1. Go to your GTA 4 folder (e.g., Steam\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto IV\GTAIV\pc).
    2. Open stream.ini with Notepad.
    3. Look for: 
      virtual 204800, physical 204800, virtual_optimised 204800, physical_optimised 204800
    4. Change all to 409600.

    This lets the game use all 4GB, cutting down stutters and crashes.

  • Add Launch Options
    For Steam or Rockstar Launcher:

    1. Find LaunchGTAIV.exe in the game folder.
    2. Make a desktop shortcut.
    3. Right-click the shortcut, go to Properties, and add to the Target field: 
      -nomemrestrict -norestrictions -percentvidmem 100 -noprecache -novblank -heapsize 2097152

    For 2025, add -availablevidmem (e.g., -availablevidmem 2048 for 2GB GPU) to optimize VRAM. This lifts memory limits for better performance.

  • Modify Graphics Card Settings
    If you’ve got a dedicated GPU or integrated graphics, tweak driver settings:

    • NVIDIA Control Panel (if you have one):
      • Go to Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings > Add GTAIV.exe.
      • Set:
        - Antialiasing - FXAA: On (game’s AA is choppy).
        - Texture Filtering - Quality: High Performance.
        - Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance.
        - Antialiasing - Transparency: Multisample.
        - Vertical Sync: Off.
        - Threaded Optimization: On.
      • Note: DXVK might disable NVIDIA’s AA, so try SweetFX for anti-aliasing.
    • AMD/Intel Graphics: Use AMD Adrenalin or Intel Graphics Command Center to prioritize performance.

    Why it helps: Makes your GPU focus on speed, not fancy visuals.

  • Extra 2025 Tips
    • Compatibility Mode: Right-click GTAIV.exe and LaunchGTAIV.exe, go to Properties > Compatibility, set to Windows Vista Service Pack 2, and check “Disable Fullscreen Optimizations” and “Override High DPI Scaling” for Windows 10/11 stability.
    • Game Mode: In Windows Settings > Gaming, turn on Game Mode and Hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling to boost performance.
    • Verify Files: Corrupted files cause lag. In Steam, go to Library > GTA IV > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity.
    • Cap FPS: Use RivaTuner or FusionFix to lock FPS at 30–60 to avoid stutters, as high FPS can mess up GTA 4.
    • SSD Upgrade: If you can, put GTA 4 on an SSD to cut load times and texture pop-in.
  • Optional: Downgrade to Patch 1.0.8.0
    Some folks downgrade to patch 1.0.8.0 using the GTA IV Downgrader for better mod support and smoother performance on low-end PCs compared to the Complete Edition’s 1.2.0.59 patch. Check X posts from users like @soflysojoe for tutorials.

Final Notes

  • Tested On: These tweaks work on rigs like Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, Intel HD graphics, or 1GB VRAM GPUs, hitting 20–40 FPS at 720p. Community posts back this up for setups like AMD A6-5200 or Intel i5-2400.
  • Mod Sources: Grab mods from GTAinside.com, NexusMods.com, or GTA5-Mods.com. Use OpenIV for .img mods and always back up your files.
  • Community Help: GTAForums, r/GTAIV on Reddit, or Steam guides have more tips. YouTube channels like Gametrex have setup videos too.
  • Heads-up: GTA 4’s optimization is still iffy in 2025, so performance depends on your setup. Adjust settings one at a time, and don’t crank graphics too high on weak systems.

With these mods and tweaks, GTA 4 should run great on your low-end PC in 2025, keeping visuals decent and gameplay smooth. Hit me up if you need help with specific mods or settings!