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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTo check whether your PC can run Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, identify its exact CPU, graphics card, installed RAM, Windows edition, DirectX support and free SSD space, then compare those details with Activision’s target tier. You also need TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and an Intel or AMD processor with AVX. Intel Arc graphics cards additionally require Resizable BAR.
The published minimum is a playable entry point, not a promise of a particular frame rate. Activision’s recommended tier is aimed at 90 frames per second in multiplayer on High settings, while its highest tier targets high-quality ray tracing at 4K upscaled. The specifications are for desktop PCs and are valid at launch; updates can change requirements. Check the official Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements again before installing.
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Start with the performance target you actually want
There are three different questions hidden inside “Can my PC run it?” Decide which one applies before comparing parts:
- Can it launch and play? Compare your system with the minimum tier.
- Can it target 90 FPS multiplayer at High settings? Compare with Activision’s recommended tier.
- Can it handle high-quality ray tracing at 4K upscaled? Compare with the separate ray-tracing tier.
A PC that meets the minimum may need reduced settings or a lower resolution. Matching the recommended list does not guarantee 90 FPS in every map, scene, driver version or future update, and matching the ray-tracing list does not guarantee identical results on every configuration.
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Activision’s official PC requirements
Activision’s October 1, 2026 requirements page lists these specifications for desktop PCs. The storage figure is available SSD space at launch, not the total capacity of the drive.
| Target | Operating system | CPU | 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 or GTX 1060, or Intel Arc A580 | 3 GB | SSD with 115 GB available at launch |
| Recommended: 90 FPS multiplayer, High settings | 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 model-level comparisons. “A Ryzen 5,” “a GeForce GTX” or “an Arc card” is not precise enough: different models within a family have different capabilities. Activision also says trial, beta and Windows Insider versions may not be supported, so use a current standard release of Windows.
Step 1: Find your exact PC specifications
Check the processor, RAM and Windows version
- Press
Windows+Ito open Settings. - Open System, then About. Note the processor’s complete model name, installed RAM and whether Windows is 64-bit.
- Under Windows specifications, record the edition and version. Run Windows Update and install available updates before comparing it with the table.
You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, choose Performance, and select CPU or Memory for the model and current memory information. Write down the model rather than only the speed shown in GHz.
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Check the graphics card and its dedicated video memory
- Open Task Manager with
Ctrl+Shift+Esc. - Select Performance, then GPU. Record the complete GPU model and the dedicated GPU memory value.
- For a second check, press
Windows+R, enterdxdiag, select the Display tab and note the card name and driver information.
Do not rely on the name of an integrated graphics chipset or on a broad series number. Compare the exact card with Activision’s list, and keep the graphics driver current. Activision lists driver recommendations on its live requirements page and notes that a compatible driver could be released closer to launch.
Check free space on an SSD
- Open File Explorer and select This PC.
- Identify the drive where the game will be installed. Right-click it, choose Properties, and record the free space.
- Confirm that the drive is an SSD, not only that it has enough capacity. Windows 11’s Settings path is System → Storage → Advanced storage settings → Disks & volumes, where the drive type and volumes can be inspected on supported systems.
You need at least 115 GB available on an SSD at launch. Activision warns that mandatory updates may require additional space but does not state an exact extra amount. Leave more room than the launch minimum so an update does not fail halfway through.
Step 2: Compare each component with the right tier
Use the weakest relevant component to set expectations. For example, a PC with the recommended CPU and GPU but only 8 GB of RAM does not meet the recommended tier. Likewise, a graphics card with enough video memory but a processor below the listed CPU tier is not a full match.
Minimum: the entry point
The minimum tier requires Windows 10 64-bit with the latest update, an AMD Ryzen 5 1400 or Intel Core i5-6600, 8 GB of RAM, and one of the listed entry-level GPUs: Radeon RX 470, GeForce GTX 970 or GTX 1060, or Intel Arc A580 with 3 GB of video memory. It also requires an SSD with 115 GB available at launch.
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Treat this as the threshold for running the game, not as an assurance of High settings, 90 FPS or ray tracing. Resolution, visual settings and the demands of a particular scene can materially affect frame rate.
Recommended: 90 FPS multiplayer on High
For Activision’s stated 90-FPS multiplayer target at High settings, the published combination is a Ryzen 5 3600 or Core i7-8700, 16 GB of RAM, and a Radeon RX 6600 XT, GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or Intel Arc B580 with 8 GB of video memory. Windows 11 64-bit, current updates and an SSD with 115 GB available are also listed.
This is a performance target for the specified multiplayer scenario, not a universal guarantee for the campaign, every map or every future patch.
High-quality ray tracing at 4K upscaled
The ray-tracing tier raises the CPU requirement to a Ryzen 7 3700X or Core i7-10700K, memory to 32 GB, and graphics hardware to a Radeon RX 9070 XT or GeForce RTX 5070 Ti with 16 GB of video memory. It specifies Windows 11 64-bit and the same 115 GB of available SSD space at launch.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →“4K upscaled” means the output is presented at 4K using an upscaling technique; it is not the same requirement as rendering every pixel natively at 4K. The tier is still substantially more demanding than the minimum or the 90-FPS High target.
Step 3: Verify the requirements that a parts list can miss
DirectX 12
DirectX 12 compatibility is listed for all specifications. Press Windows + R, enter dxdiag, and read the DirectX Version line on the System tab. The version number alone does not prove that every feature of the GPU is suitable, so also compare the exact card model with the official table.
AVX on the CPU
Activision specifies an Intel or AMD processor with the AVX instruction set. Windows’ basic About page may not display this capability. If your processor is older or its model is unclear, check the processor manufacturer’s specifications for AVX support before assuming that a similar-looking CPU qualifies.
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TPM 2.0
TPM 2.0 is required to play. Press Windows + R, enter tpm.msc, and check Specification Version in the TPM Management window. If Windows reports that a compatible TPM cannot be found, the feature may be disabled in UEFI firmware, absent from the system or blocked by an outdated firmware configuration. Consult the computer or motherboard manual before changing firmware settings.
Secure Boot
Secure Boot is also required. Press Windows + R, enter msinfo32, and find Secure Boot State in System Information. A value of On meets the visible Windows setting; Off or Unsupported needs investigation in UEFI and with the system maker. Changing boot mode or partition settings without a backup can make an existing Windows installation unbootable, so follow the manufacturer’s procedure.
Resizable BAR for Intel Arc
If your GPU is an Intel Arc model, Resizable BAR is required. Check the motherboard’s UEFI settings and the system or GPU documentation for Resizable BAR support and status. A matching Arc model without this feature enabled does not satisfy the complete requirement.
Desktop specifications do not transfer directly to laptops
Activision’s table is for desktop PCs. Laptop graphics cards can use different power limits, cooling systems, memory configurations and model names from their desktop counterparts. A laptop advertised with a name that resembles a listed desktop GPU should not be treated as an automatic match.
Use the laptop manufacturer’s exact model documentation to identify the installed GPU, its video memory and the CPU. Then compare those exact parts, Windows version, security settings and SSD space with the desired tier. If the documentation does not distinguish the laptop GPU variant, do not claim that it meets the desktop specification solely from the series name.
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What to do when one component falls short
If the PC is below minimum
Do not assume a software “optimizer” can make unsupported hardware meet the requirements or bypass TPM, Secure Boot, AVX or DirectX 12 checks. First identify the failing requirement. A missing security feature may be a firmware setting, while an old CPU or GPU is a hardware limitation.
If the PC meets minimum but not recommended
You can use the minimum tier as the realistic starting point, then plan to lower resolution or visual settings if performance is poor. If you consider an upgrade, compare the exact replacement CPU or GPU with your motherboard, power supply, case clearance, cooling and firmware compatibility. An upgrade is conditional: do not replace parts that already meet the performance tier you want.
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If only storage is short
Check for removable files, another compatible internal SSD or a supported expansion option before buying anything. Activision requires 115 GB available, not a particular 1 TB capacity, interface or form factor. Confirm the motherboard, laptop bay, connectors and operating-system support before purchasing a drive, and keep additional free space for mandatory updates.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.After installation: use the built-in Benchmark Tool
Once the game is installed and launches, use its built-in Benchmark Tool to measure the configuration you are actually running. Call of Duty Staff describes the simulated multiplayer benchmark as reporting:
- Average FPS
- CPU and GPU information
- Ping
- Input latency
- Zone-level performance details
- Suggested settings
Use those results to tune resolution, upscaling, texture quality, shadows and ray-tracing options. The benchmark evaluates a running installation; it does not replace the pre-install checks for Windows support, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, AVX, DirectX 12 or Resizable BAR.
Troubleshooting by symptom
| Symptom | Likely check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| The installer says the PC is unsupported before the game starts. | Windows edition/version, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, AVX or DirectX 12. | Run winver, tpm.msc, msinfo32 and dxdiag; then consult the system manual for firmware changes. |
| The game will not update because of storage. | Free space on the specific SSD installation drive. | Free more than the 115 GB launch requirement and retry; updates can need additional space. |
| An Intel Arc system performs unexpectedly or is rejected. | Resizable BAR status and current graphics driver. | Check UEFI and Intel or motherboard documentation, then install a compatible driver from the hardware maker. |
| Frame rate is below the desired target. | Target tier, resolution, settings, driver and current scene. | Run the Benchmark Tool, apply its suggestions and lower the most expensive settings before judging the whole system. |
| A laptop appears to match a desktop GPU name. | Exact mobile GPU variant, power limit and video memory. | Use the laptop maker’s specification, not the desktop model name alone. |
Release and requirements dates
The official PC feature article dated September 29, 2026 says Modern Warfare 4 arrives on PC 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 as October 16 for eligible digital preorders, and full-game release as October 23 at midnight local time. These dates do not change the hardware checks and may be revised, so consult the current official announcement.
Activision’s requirements page says its specifications apply at product launch and may be updated. It also notes that a compatible graphics driver could be released closer to launch. Keep the live requirements page bookmarked rather than treating a driver version or launch table as permanent.
Printable pre-install checklist
- Exact CPU model recorded and compared with the chosen tier.
- Exact GPU model and video memory recorded and compared; laptop variants checked separately.
- Installed RAM meets the chosen tier: 8 GB minimum, 16 GB for the 90-FPS High tier, or 32 GB for the 4K upscaled ray-tracing tier.
- Windows is 64-bit, on a supported standard release, and fully updated.
- DirectX 12 compatibility confirmed.
- CPU supports AVX.
- TPM 2.0 is present and available to Windows.
- Secure Boot is enabled.
- Resizable BAR is enabled if using Intel Arc graphics.
- An SSD has at least 115 GB free at launch, with extra room reserved for updates.
- After installation, the Benchmark Tool has been run and its metrics reviewed.
If every item matches the tier for your intended experience, the PC is a reasonable match for that published target. If one item does not, treat the system as below that tier until the specific hardware or software limitation is resolved.
Quick Recap
Official sources
- Activision: PC System Requirements for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (October 1, 2026)
- Call of Duty Staff: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 PC Trailer, Tech Updates, and More (September 29, 2026)
- Call of Duty Staff: Call of Duty: NEXT and Modern Warfare 4: Early Intel, PC Specs, Pre-loading, and More (August 2026)
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