Short Answer: If you are playing the story mode or GTA Online on a mid-to-high-end PC from the last three years, Update 164/166 is objectively superior. It fixes the engine's ancient stuttering problems and makes Los Santos feel like a modern game.
Long Answer: Rockstar is clearly preparing for the future (likely the final PC port of GTA V to match the E&E console features). Build 164 and 166 are foundation updates. They are better for stability, but they sacrifice the wild west freedom of modding that kept GTA V alive for a decade.
If you want a stable 60 FPS without tweaking files for three hours, click update. If you want to fly a Thomas the Tank Engine jetpack, stay on Build 160.
Final Score for "Better" factor:
Have you updated to Build 166? Did you notice the pop-in fix? Let us know in the comments below.
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.
While the titled updates (1.64 and 1.66) brought content, the subsequent stability patches (often collectively referenced by players fixing issues from that era) have made the game run smoother than ever before.
To decide which is better, you have to look at what you want from the game. Update 1.64 was a massive content drop that changed how people played the game, while Update 1.66 was a critical "behind-the-scenes" fix that made the game safe to play again. Update 1.64: The "Fun" Update
Released in December 2022 as part of the Los Santos Drug Wars, this update is arguably "better" for content.
New Content: It added the Acid Lab business, the Freakshop social space, and the "First Dose" story missions.
Major Features: Introduced Ray-Traced Reflections for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in Fidelity Mode.
Quality of Life: Finally allowed players to hide phone contacts, request bicycles from the mechanic, and play Agatha Baker’s Casino missions solo.
Economy: Tripled payouts for Smuggler's Run sell missions permanently. Update 1.66: The "Safety" Update gta 5 grand theft auto v update 164 166 better
Released in early 2023, this update didn't add new cars or missions, but it was "better" for the game's long-term health, especially on PC.
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.
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"? Short Answer: If you are playing the story
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
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:
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) Have you updated to Build 166
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:
While not officially marketed as DirectStorage (which is exclusive to newer Windows 11 builds), Build 166 introduced a faster asset streaming algorithm. If you have an NVMe SSD, Build 166 is objectively better.
In earlier builds, flying a Hydra jet from the military base to the city would result in low-resolution textures and missing buildings. In Build 166, the asset priority queue has been reworked. Textures and geometry load approximately 15-20% faster, effectively eliminating "pop-in" on SATA SSDs and above.
Rockstar’s small but meaningful hotfixes in updates 164–166 didn’t introduce flashy new content, but they did something players notice every session: they made GTA V and GTA Online run better. From smoother matchmaking to gameplay bug fixes, this trio of updates tightens the experience for solo players and crews alike.
Released: March 2023 (and subsequent LSD Summer Event)
Update 1.66 (which aligns with version 1.69 on PS5/Series X) introduced "The Last Dose" story and the LSD creative mode. While it had hype, it felt lighter than its predecessor.
Why it might be considered "worse":
Why it might be considered "better":
In Build 166, the "Long Shadows" option is bugged. It creates a memory leak after 45 minutes of play. Set it to OFF. The rest of the settings can be set to High/Ultra, but keep this off for a crash-free experience.
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.
Released: July 2022
This update is widely considered the "Gold Standard" for modern GTA Online updates. It wasn't just about adding expensive cars; it restructured the game's economy and provided meaningful content for solo players and CEOs.
Why it was great:
Verdict: 1.64 was a structural update. It fixed the foundation of the game.