When running a FiveM server, one of the questions that comes up often is: should you bother converting your old GTA V assets, or just leave them as they are? With the release of Cfx.re’s new official conversion tool, this question is more relevant than ever.
It might sound simple, but the answer isn’t black and white — it depends on your server, your players, and how much you care about stability and performance.
Why Some People Don’t Convert Assets
Many server owners stick with their old models for a few reasons:
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“It works already” — If an old car, building, or prop doesn’t break, some see no reason to touch it.
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Time and effort — Rebuilding or converting assets takes hours, especially for large servers with hundreds of custom models.
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Fear of breaking something — Converting assets might introduce subtle bugs, misaligned textures, or crashes if done incorrectly.
The truth is, leaving assets alone is fine in the short term, but it comes with hidden costs.
The Risks of Leaving Old Assets
Older assets can cause issues you might not notice immediately:
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Performance drops — Older models may not be optimized for modern rendering or streaming systems.
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Lighting and texture problems — GTA V lighting updates may make old materials look inconsistent.
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Compatibility headaches — New server updates may break legacy content unexpectedly.
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Future-proofing — As FiveM evolves, old assets may become unsupported or require major fixes later.
Even if players don’t complain, your server might be running less efficiently than it could.
Why Converting Assets Helps
The new Cfx.re conversion tool makes updating old assets easier. Benefits include:
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Better performance — Optimized models load faster and reduce server lag.
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Smoother updates — Modernized assets are less likely to break after patches.
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Consistency — Lighting, textures, and shaders look correct across the server.
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Future-ready — Converted assets are prepared for any upcoming engine changes.
If your server relies heavily on custom content, taking the time to convert assets is an investment in long-term stability.
When You Might Leave Assets Alone
There are still situations where you can safely skip conversion:
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Small servers with a handful of assets that haven’t caused any issues.
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Legacy servers where the aesthetic relies on older models.
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Testing or temporary projects that won’t last long enough to justify the work.
The key is weighing effort vs. payoff. For major servers or heavily modded setups, conversion is almost always worth it.
Tips for a Smooth Conversion Process
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Back everything up first — Never overwrite assets without a safe copy.
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Test on a staging server — Make sure converted assets behave correctly before going live.
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Prioritize high-traffic areas — Convert the assets players interact with most first.
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Monitor performance — Keep an eye on FPS, streaming, and server load.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s the rule of thumb:
Small, stable servers can leave assets alone for now.
Large, custom-heavy servers should convert old assets to maintain performance, stability, and future compatibility.
The new Cfx.re conversion tool makes it easier than ever to modernize your content without starting from scratch. If you’re serious about running a FiveM server that lasts, converting your old assets is worth the effort.
Source / Reference: RockstarINTEL