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To check whether your PC can run Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, identify its exact processor, graphics card, installed memory, Windows edition, DirectX support, security settings and free SSD space. Then compare those details with Activision’s target: minimum playability, 90 FPS multiplayer at High settings, or high-quality ray tracing at 4K upscaled.
The published specifications are for desktop PCs and are valid at launch. Use the official requirements page again before installing because drivers, updates and requirements can change.
What your PC needs, at a glance
Activision publishes three different performance tiers. They are not interchangeable: the minimum tier is an entry point for running the game, the recommended tier is tied to a stated 90 FPS multiplayer goal at High settings, and the ray-tracing tier targets high-quality ray tracing at 4K upscaled. A computer that meets a table row is not guaranteed to produce the same frame rate in every map, scene, driver version or game update.
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| Target | Operating system | Processor | RAM | Graphics card | Video memory | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Windows 10 64-bit, latest update | AMD Ryzen 5 1400 or Intel Core i5-6600 | 8 GB | AMD Radeon RX 470, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970/1060, or Intel Arc A580 | 3 GB | SSD with 115 GB available at launch |
| Recommended: 90 FPS multiplayer, High | Windows 11 64-bit, latest update | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i7-8700 | 16 GB | AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, or Intel Arc B580 | 8 GB | SSD with 115 GB available at launch |
| High-quality ray tracing: 4K upscaled | Windows 11 64-bit, latest update | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or Intel Core i7-10700K | 32 GB | AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | 16 GB | SSD with 115 GB available at launch |
These are Activision’s desktop specifications from October 1, 2026. The 115 GB figure is available space at launch, not a promise that the installation will never grow. Mandatory updates may require additional room.
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Step 1: Find your exact PC specifications
Do not compare only a brand, product family or a number such as “RTX 30-series.” The requirements name specific models, and laptop versions can perform differently from desktop cards with similar names. Record the complete model names before comparing them.
Find the processor and installed RAM
- Open Settings and select System.
- Choose About. Under device specifications, note the full Processor name and Installed RAM.
- For a second check, press
Ctrl+Shift+Escto open Task Manager, select Performance, and open CPU and Memory. Task Manager also shows the memory speed and how much is currently available, although the installed total is the value used for the requirements comparison.
If Windows reports a processor family without the complete model number, use the computer manufacturer’s support page or owner’s manual. Activision specifically recommends consulting the owner’s manual when you are unsure about the hardware.
Find the graphics card and video memory
- In Task Manager, open Performance and select each GPU entry. Record the exact GPU model.
- Press
Windows+R, enterdxdiag, and press Enter. Open the Display or Render tabs to cross-check the adapter name and display memory. - If more than one GPU appears, identify which one drives games. A laptop may list integrated and discrete graphics; the integrated adapter is not automatically equivalent to the discrete model in Activision’s table.
Use the dedicated model name, such as RX 6600 XT or RTX 3060 Ti, rather than a generic label such as “AMD graphics.” Video-memory capacity matters separately from system RAM, so record it too.
Check Windows edition, architecture and build
- Go to Settings > System > About.
- Check that System type says 64-bit operating system.
- Open Settings > Windows Update and install all available updates. Restart and check again until Windows reports that it is current.
The minimum row accepts current 64-bit Windows 10; the two performance-target rows specify current 64-bit Windows 11. Trial, beta and Windows Insider builds may not be supported, even if their version number appears newer.
Check the SSD and available capacity
- Open File Explorer, select This PC, and identify the drive where you intend to install the game.
- Confirm that it is an SSD, not only a hard-disk drive. In Task Manager > Performance, select each disk to see whether Windows identifies it as SSD or HDD.
- Record the drive’s free space. You need at least 115 GB available at launch, plus a practical buffer for updates and other files.
Activision does not specify a required 1 TB capacity, interface or form factor. If your existing compatible SSD has enough free space, no storage purchase is necessary. If it does not, check your motherboard, laptop service manual, available slot and supported interface before choosing an SSD.
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Step 2: Decide which experience you want
Your target determines which row matters. Calling a PC “compatible” without naming the target can create the wrong expectation.
For basic playability
Compare the CPU, GPU, RAM, Windows version and storage with the minimum row. This establishes the published entry point; it does not describe a guaranteed frame rate, image quality or stable performance in every situation. A minimum-spec PC may need conservative graphics settings or resolution adjustments after installation.
For 90 FPS multiplayer at High settings
Use the recommended row, not the minimum one. Activision associates this row with 90 FPS multiplayer at High settings and lists Windows 11, 16 GB of RAM, and graphics cards such as the RX 6600 XT, RTX 3060 Ti or Arc B580. Treat 90 FPS as the publisher’s target under its stated conditions, not as a universal guarantee for every map or match.
For high-quality ray tracing at 4K upscaled
Use the highest row. It calls for Windows 11, a Ryzen 7 3700X or Core i7-10700K, 32 GB of RAM, and a Radeon RX 9070 XT or GeForce RTX 5070 Ti with 16 GB of video memory. “4K upscaled” is not the same as rendering every pixel natively at 4K; it describes the target in Activision’s wording.
Step 3: Compare exact models, not approximate equivalents
Read your inventory from Step 1 next to the complete model in the selected row. A processor from a newer generation is not automatically equivalent in every game, and a graphics card with a similar name can have different memory, power or laptop limits. If a component falls below your chosen row, classify the PC as below that target rather than assuming the other components compensate.
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| What to compare | How to interpret a match | What a mismatch means |
|---|---|---|
| CPU model | The exact model or a demonstrably supported equivalent meets the selected row. | CPU-limited scenes may reduce frame rate; the requirements table alone cannot predict the amount. |
| GPU model | The exact desktop GPU is in the selected row and has the listed video-memory class. | Lower graphics performance or memory can prevent the selected quality target even if the CPU is sufficient. |
| System RAM | Installed memory meets 8, 16 or 32 GB for the chosen tier. | Insufficient RAM can cause stutter or prevent the intended tier; adding memory requires motherboard and operating-system compatibility. |
| Windows | 64-bit, supported edition, fully updated and outside unsupported preview channels. | The game may refuse to start or may not be supported until Windows is brought to a supported state. |
| SSD | At least 115 GB is free on a compatible SSD at launch, with extra working room. | Installation or updates can fail even when the CPU and GPU meet the table. |
Step 4: Verify the requirements that the hardware table does not show
A matching CPU, GPU and RAM row does not confirm every prerequisite. Check these items separately before buying parts or troubleshooting an installation.
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- Press
Windows+R, typedxdiag, and press Enter. - On the System tab, read DirectX Version. Open the display tabs and review the listed feature levels and driver status.
- Install current graphics drivers from the GPU manufacturer and run Windows Update. Activision lists DirectX 12 compatibility for all three specification tiers.
The diagnostic tool confirms what Windows reports; it does not benchmark the game or prove that every driver issue is resolved.
AVX support in the CPU
Activision specifies Intel or AMD processors with the AVX instruction set. Find the exact CPU model in Windows, then check the processor manufacturer’s documentation for AVX support. Do not infer support solely from the processor’s clock speed, core count or generation name.
TPM 2.0
- Press
Windows+R, entertpm.msc, and press Enter. - In the TPM Management window, check that the status says the TPM is ready for use and that Specification Version is 2.0.
If no compatible TPM is found, check the motherboard firmware settings and the computer manual. Do not disable security features to work around a launch error; Activision states that TPM 2.0 is required to play.
Secure Boot
- Press
Windows+R, typemsinfo32, and press Enter. - In System Information, find Secure Boot State. It should report On.
Changing Secure Boot can affect an existing Windows installation. If it is off, follow the motherboard or PC maker’s documented UEFI procedure and make sure the system disk and Windows installation support the required boot mode. Activision says Secure Boot is required and that other security measures may also be enforced.
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Resizable BAR for Intel Arc
If your graphics card is an Intel Arc model, Resizable BAR is required. Check the motherboard firmware and platform documentation for Resizable BAR support, then verify that it is enabled in UEFI. The setting may appear under PCIe, graphics or advanced-system menus, and its exact location varies by manufacturer. This requirement applies specifically to Intel Arc cards; it is not a substitute for meeting the GPU model and other tier requirements.
Internet connection
Broadband internet is listed for all specifications. It is needed for account services, downloading the game and receiving mandatory updates. A fast connection does not make an unsupported CPU or GPU meet the hardware requirements, and meeting the hardware list does not remove the need for a supported connection.
Desktop versus laptop: why the model name can mislead
Activision’s table is for desktop PCs. Laptop GPUs can have different power limits, cooling systems and performance from desktop cards carrying a similar name. For example, a laptop GPU that appears to match a desktop model in the table should not be treated as automatically supported.
- Find the laptop’s complete GPU designation in Task Manager, the manufacturer’s support page or the owner’s manual.
- Check whether the manufacturer identifies it as a mobile or laptop variant and review its memory and power configuration.
- Compare the whole laptop, including CPU, RAM, Windows edition, SSD and security settings, rather than relying on the GPU label alone.
If the manufacturer does not document an exact match, treat the result as uncertain and use conservative settings after installation. The published requirements do not provide a separate laptop performance table.
Use the in-game benchmark after installation
Pre-install checks establish compatibility; they cannot predict every real-world result. Once the game is installed and updated, open its built-in Benchmark Tool. Call of Duty Staff says the simulated multiplayer benchmark reports average FPS, CPU usage, GPU information, ping and input latency, then provides zone-level detail and setting suggestions. See the publisher’s PC tech features article for the feature description.
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- Install the latest game and graphics-driver updates.
- Run the benchmark with the display resolution and quality preset you intend to use.
- Record average FPS and the CPU, GPU, ping and input-latency readings.
- Apply the suggested settings one change at a time, then run the benchmark again.
- Test an actual multiplayer session afterward. A simulated run cannot represent every map, player count, background process or network route.
The benchmark is a tuning aid for a running installation. It does not verify TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, AVX, DirectX 12 compatibility or every pre-install requirement.
What to do when your PC misses a requirement
Only storage is short
Remove or move files, select another compatible SSD with enough free capacity, or expand the existing drive if the system supports it. Activision requires 115 GB available at launch but does not prescribe a 1 TB drive or a particular SSD interface. Leave additional room for mandatory updates.
RAM is below the target
Check the motherboard or laptop manual for maximum capacity, supported memory type and available slots. Upgrade only when the platform supports it, and compare the resulting total with the target row. If the PC already has the RAM required for your chosen tier, adding more does not by itself move a weaker GPU into that tier.
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The GPU is below the target
Decide whether you want basic playability, 90 FPS High multiplayer or 4K upscaled ray tracing. A GPU upgrade is relevant only when the rest of the platform—power supply, case clearance, motherboard slot, cooling, CPU, RAM, Windows and security settings—can support it. Do not assume that a newer-sounding model is a documented match without checking its complete specifications.
TPM, Secure Boot or AVX is missing
First confirm the setting or CPU capability using the checks above. Look for a firmware update or supported configuration in the computer maker’s documentation. If the hardware truly lacks a required feature, an optimizer or graphics-setting change cannot bypass the game’s security or instruction-set requirement.
The PC meets minimum specifications but performance is poor
Install current drivers, close unnecessary background programs, confirm the game is using the intended discrete GPU, lower demanding settings and run the benchmark again. Check temperatures and power behavior while playing. Minimum specifications are a starting point, not a frame-rate guarantee.
Launch timing and keeping the check current
The official PC feature article says Modern Warfare 4 arrives through Xbox on PC, Battle.net and Steam on October 23, 2026. It lists PC preload timing as October 15 at 9 a.m. PT, campaign early access on October 16 for eligible digital preorders, and full-game release at midnight local time on October 23. These dates do not change the hardware comparison and can change as the publisher updates its information. Details appear in the official August overview and the September PC feature article.
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Quick Recap
Printable compatibility checklist
- Exact CPU model recorded.
- Exact desktop or laptop GPU model and video memory recorded.
- Installed RAM checked against the selected tier.
- 64-bit Windows edition confirmed and fully updated.
- DirectX 12 compatibility checked with
dxdiag. - CPU AVX support confirmed in manufacturer documentation.
- TPM 2.0 status checked with
tpm.msc. - Secure Boot state checked with
msinfo32. - Resizable BAR confirmed if the GPU is Intel Arc.
- Broadband internet available.
- At least 115 GB free on a compatible SSD at launch, with extra update space.
- Chosen target clearly identified: minimum playability, 90 FPS High multiplayer, or 4K upscaled high-quality ray tracing.
- Built-in Benchmark Tool run after installation and updates.
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