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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 requires an SSD with 115 GB of free space at launch. Activision’s minimum desktop specification is Windows 10 64-bit, an AMD Ryzen 5 1400 or Intel Core i5-6600, 8 GB of RAM and a Radeon RX 470, GeForce GTX 970/1060 or Intel Arc A580 with 3 GB of video memory. Every tier requires broadband internet, DirectX 12 compatibility, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Intel Arc cards additionally require Resizable BAR.

The 115 GB figure is a launch requirement, not a guarantee that the installation will never grow. Activision warns that mandatory updates can need more storage, so check the SSD where you will install the game and keep additional capacity available. The higher tiers target 90 frames per second (FPS) in high-quality multiplayer or high-quality ray tracing at upscaled 4K; they are not minimum requirements.

Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements at a glance

These are Activision’s published launch specifications for desktop PCs. The operating-system, processor, memory, graphics and storage requirements are grouped by the performance target you want.

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Target Operating system Processor Memory Graphics and video memory Storage
Minimum to play Windows 10 64-bit, latest update AMD Ryzen 5 1400 or Intel Core i5-6600 8 GB RAM Radeon RX 470; GeForce GTX 970 or GTX 1060; or Intel Arc A580; 3 GB video memory SSD with 115 GB available at launch
Recommended for 90 FPS multiplayer on High Windows 11 64-bit, latest update AMD Ryzen 5 3600; Intel Core i7-8700 on the support page or Core i7-8700K in the PC announcement 16 GB RAM Radeon RX 6600 XT; GeForce RTX 3060 Ti; or Intel Arc B580; 8 GB video memory SSD with 115 GB available at launch
Ray tracing: High quality at upscaled 4K Windows 11 64-bit, latest update AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or Intel Core i7-10700K 32 GB RAM Radeon RX 9070 XT or GeForce RTX 5070 Ti; 16 GB video memory SSD with 115 GB available at launch

Activision describes the 90-FPS figure as a target attached to the recommended multiplayer tier, not as an independently verified benchmark. Specifications can change after launch; the publisher says they are valid for product launch and may be updated in the future. See the official PC system requirements and the PC technology announcement for the latest version.

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How much storage does Modern Warfare 4 need?

Official capacity and drive type

The published requirement is 115 GB available on an SSD at launch. Activision lists that same capacity in all three tiers, so buying a higher-end graphics card does not change the stated installation figure. The game does require an SSD; the launch specification does not present a hard-disk drive as an alternative.

Why 115 GB is not a permanent upper limit

Activision states: “Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.” Updates can need temporary free space while files are downloaded, unpacked or replaced. Treat 115 GB as the space that must be free when installing the launch build, then leave comfortable headroom on that SSD for patches and other files. The publisher does not specify a guaranteed post-update size, so no exact larger number can be promised.

Planning the drive

  • In File Explorer, right-click the SSD volume you will use and choose Properties to check free space before installation.
  • Do not count capacity occupied by Windows, the launcher, page files or other games as available game space.
  • If the drive is nearly full, move or uninstall files before starting the installation rather than relying on the installer to reclaim space.
  • A 1 TB internal SSD is a practical category of upgrade for someone who lacks room for this and future games, but 1 TB is not an Activision requirement and many existing drives will be sufficient.

Keep the game on an SSD with a healthy amount of free capacity. The 115 GB number applies to the launch specification and should be rechecked after major updates.

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What the minimum tier actually means

The minimum tier is Activision’s baseline “to play” configuration. It is not a promise of a particular frame rate, resolution, graphics preset or stability in every scene. It uses Windows 10 64-bit, 8 GB of RAM and older mid-range processor and graphics examples. Meeting every listed item means your system matches the publisher’s entry requirement; it does not place the PC in the 90-FPS High or ray-tracing classes.

Minimum processor and graphics

You need an AMD Ryzen 5 1400 or Intel Core i5-6600-class processor, with the required AVX instruction set, plus one of the listed graphics options: Radeon RX 470, GeForce GTX 970 or GTX 1060, or Intel Arc A580. The tier specifies 3 GB of video memory. Intel Arc owners must also have Resizable BAR enabled, even when the Arc card is otherwise at or above the named model.

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Minimum memory and operating system

Install the latest update of 64-bit Windows 10. The minimum memory requirement is 8 GB of system RAM. A 32-bit edition of Windows does not meet the published requirement.

What the recommended 90-FPS multiplayer tier adds

The recommended tier is aimed at 90 FPS in multiplayer with High graphics settings. It raises the operating-system requirement to the latest 64-bit Windows 11 update, doubles system memory to 16 GB and lists substantially newer graphics hardware with 8 GB of video memory: Radeon RX 6600 XT, GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or Intel Arc B580.

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The Intel CPU discrepancy

Two official Activision sources use different Intel model names for this tier. The support requirements page lists Core i7-8700, while the September 29, 2026 PC announcement lists Core i7-8700K. Both list Ryzen 5 3600 as the AMD alternative, along with 16 GB RAM, the same graphics tier and 115 GB of SSD space. Do not treat the two Intel names as a single corrected specification; if you are comparing an Intel system, verify the current support page before purchase or upgrade.

The 90-FPS label is a publisher-stated target. Actual results can vary with resolution, drivers, background software, map complexity and in-game settings, so this tier should not be read as a guarantee outside Activision’s stated test target.

Ray tracing and upscaled 4K requirements

The top tier targets high-quality ray tracing at upscaled 4K. It calls for Windows 11 64-bit, 32 GB of RAM, an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or Intel Core i7-10700K and a Radeon RX 9070 XT or GeForce RTX 5070 Ti with 16 GB of video memory. This is a separate visual-performance target, not a prerequisite for launching or playing the game at lower settings.

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Upscaled 4K means the game uses a rendering-and-upscaling combination rather than requiring every internal frame to be rendered natively at 3840 × 2160. Activision supplies the tier as a hardware target; it does not publish an independent benchmark or a guaranteed frame rate for this ray-tracing configuration.

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Security and platform prerequisites you can miss

TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot

TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are required to play on PC. To inspect these Windows settings, press Windows+R, enter tpm.msc and check that the TPM is ready and reports specification version 2.0. For Secure Boot, press Windows+R, enter msinfo32, and look for Secure Boot State in System Information. Firmware menus vary by motherboard; changing them can affect an existing Windows installation, so follow the board or PC manufacturer’s instructions.

Resizable BAR for Intel Arc

Intel Arc graphics require Resizable BAR. The feature normally depends on a compatible motherboard firmware, processor platform and UEFI configuration. Check your motherboard documentation and graphics control software before assuming an Arc card meets the requirement.

AVX-capable processor

At the time of the published specifications, only Intel and AMD processors with the AVX instruction set are supported. A processor that appears faster by name but lacks AVX is outside the stated support list.

Internet and DirectX 12

All tiers require a broadband internet connection and DirectX 12 compatibility. The requirements therefore cover more than offline campaign launch: your PC and network must satisfy these platform conditions as well as the component list.

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How to compare your PC with the right tier

Check against the target you actually want instead of comparing one component in isolation.

  1. Choose a target: minimum playability, 90-FPS multiplayer on High, or high-quality ray tracing at upscaled 4K.
  2. Confirm Windows: open Settings → System → About and verify the edition and 64-bit system type. Apply the latest available Windows update required by your tier.
  3. Identify the CPU: in Settings → System → About or Task Manager’s Performance → CPU view, record the exact model. Check that it is an Intel or AMD processor with AVX support and compare it with the tier’s named model.
  4. Check RAM: open Task Manager → Performance → Memory. Compare the installed total with 8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB for your chosen target.
  5. Check the GPU and VRAM: in Task Manager → Performance → GPU or dxdiag, record the exact graphics model and dedicated video memory. Compare the model family and VRAM, not just a similar-sounding number.
  6. Check firmware requirements: verify TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot; if you use Intel Arc, verify Resizable BAR as well.
  7. Check the installation SSD: confirm at least 115 GB free on the specific SSD volume, plus additional room for mandatory updates.
  8. Resolve the weakest match: if one item falls below the selected tier, use the lower tier that your complete system satisfies or upgrade that component. Do not claim the 90-FPS or ray-tracing target from a minimum-tier match.
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Laptop owners need extra caution

Activision’s table describes desktop hardware. Laptop GPUs with the same or similar name can use different power limits, memory configurations and performance characteristics from desktop parts, and Activision warns that similarly named laptop GPUs may not be supported. Check the exact laptop model and its PC documentation rather than assuming a mobile RTX, Radeon or Arc label equals the desktop card in the table.

Laptop owners should also verify the installed RAM, the actual dedicated video-memory figure, the SSD’s free capacity and firmware options for TPM, Secure Boot and (where applicable) Resizable BAR. A laptop that matches a model name on paper can still miss a platform prerequisite.

Launch timing and keeping the requirement current

Activision’s PC announcement is dated September 29, 2026. It says PC preload for eligible digital pre-purchases begins October 15 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time, Campaign Early Access begins October 16, and the full game releases October 23 at midnight local time. Activision’s game page also lists October 23, 2026 as the release date. These dates explain why the 115 GB figure is specifically described as a launch figure.

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Because Activision says the specifications may be updated, revisit the support requirements page around launch and after substantial updates. A later page can supersede a launch component list or add a security condition.

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Troubleshooting common requirement failures

The installer says there is not enough space

Check the free space on the exact SSD volume selected in the launcher, not merely the total capacity of another drive. Free at least the published 115 GB launch amount and make more room if an update is being applied. If Windows reports less capacity than expected, remove or move other files and retry.

The PC passes the component list but will not start

Recheck 64-bit Windows, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, AVX support and DirectX 12 compatibility. These conditions are independent of the CPU and GPU model. Intel Arc systems should verify Resizable BAR specifically.

The laptop has a listed GPU name

Confirm whether the listed part is a desktop or mobile implementation and consult the laptop manufacturer’s documentation. Activision does not treat similarly named laptop parts as automatically supported.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

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The Intel processor name does not match the table

For the recommended tier, account for the official discrepancy: the support page says i7-8700 and the PC announcement says i7-8700K. Use the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 alternative for a clear comparison, or check the current support page before making an upgrade decision.

Bottom line for choosing hardware

For basic play, target the minimum row and ensure all platform prerequisites are enabled. For the publisher’s 90-FPS High multiplayer target, plan around the Windows 11, 16 GB RAM and RX 6600 XT/RTX 3060 Ti/Arc B580 class. For high-quality ray tracing at upscaled 4K, use the 32 GB and 16 GB-video-memory tier. In every case, install to an SSD with 115 GB free at launch and reserve extra capacity for mandatory updates; verify the live Activision requirements because the list can change.

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