On Windows, check your processor, RAM, Windows version, free SSD space, graphics card, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, then compare each result with the Modern Warfare 4 tier you want to reach. Activision’s published minimum tier is for playing; its recommended tier targets 90 FPS in multiplayer on High settings, while its top tier targets high-quality ray tracing at upscaled 4K. Those are different goals, so meeting the minimum does not establish that your PC can meet either higher target.
Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements at a glance
Activision’s support specifications, published October 1, 2026, are for desktop PCs and are stated as valid for launch. Activision says the specifications may change. All three tiers require broadband internet, DirectX 12 compatibility, and an Intel or AMD processor that supports AVX. Intel Arc graphics cards also require Resizable BAR.
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| Target | Windows | Processor | RAM | Graphics card | Video memory | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum to play | 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 on High | Windows 11 64-bit, latest update | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i7-8700 on Activision Support; the Call of Duty Blog lists Intel Core i7-8700K | 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 at upscaled 4K | 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 |
Sources: Activision Support, published October 1, 2026; Call of Duty Blog, published September 29, 2026. The two official sources differ on the recommended Intel processor suffix: i7-8700 on Support versus i7-8700K on the blog. If your PC is close to that CPU threshold, check Activision Support for its current listing rather than treating either version as definitive.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe storage requirement means 115 GB free on an SSD at launch, not simply an SSD with 115 GB total capacity. Activision warns that mandatory updates may need extra space, so leave room beyond the stated amount. GPU memory is listed separately from system RAM; check both figures.
#1 Best Overall
- System: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6GHz 6 Cores | AMD B550 Chipset | 8GB DDR4 | 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 4 x USB-A 3.2 | 4 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 5 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7.1 Channel Audio
- Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
Check your PC’s Windows version, processor and RAM
- Open Settings > System > About.
- Under Device specifications, note the processor model and installed RAM.
- Under Windows specifications, note your Windows edition and version. Compare these with the applicable tier: minimum calls for 64-bit Windows 10 with the latest update; the two higher targets call for 64-bit Windows 11 with the latest update.
Microsoft identifies the About page as the place to view Windows and device details. Compare the full processor model rather than relying on a broad family name; also confirm AVX support for an Intel or AMD CPU.
Identify the exact graphics card
Record the full GPU model shown in Windows system information or the graphics-card maker’s utility, then compare it with the graphics card listed for your target tier. Do not treat a similar model name as a match. Activision’s requirements describe desktop specifications; laptop graphics cards can differ from similarly named desktop cards and are not necessarily supported. For Intel Arc, check that Resizable BAR is enabled and supported on your system.
Rank #2
- 8-Core 16-Thread Processing Power – Powered by the Ryzen 7 4700LE processor with Zen 2 architecture, delivering 8 cores and 16 threads with a boost clock up to 4.2GHz. Effortlessly handle multitasking, streaming, content creation, and demanding applications simultaneously without slowdowns.
- GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Graphics – Equipped with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated VRAM and real-time ray tracing support. Experience smooth 1080p gaming at 55-60 FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, 70+ FPS in Fortnite, and 90-100 FPS in Apex Legends with DLSS enabled. The 8GB buffer handles modern game textures comfortably – a step above 6GB variants
- High-Speed Memory & Storage – Paired with 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz dual-channel RAM (16GB), the PC ensures responsive multitasking—whether streaming while gaming or editing videos. It also includes a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loads, and ample storage for your game library, creative projects, and files.
- Next-Gen WiFi 6 Connectivity – Stay connected with the latest WiFi 6 technology for faster speeds, lower latency, and improved network efficiency. Whether you're gaming online, streaming 4K content, or joining video conferences, enjoy stable, high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Ready-to-Use Value Desktop – Pre-built and ready to go right out of the box. Perfect for gamers, students, content creators, and home office users seeking reliable performance without the hassle of building a PC themselves. The mature AM4 platform with DDR4 memory offers excellent value and proven stability.
Check the installation drive and free space
- Open Settings > System > Storage.
- Inspect the drive where you intend to install the game. If you have multiple drives, check each one individually.
- Confirm that the intended drive is an SSD and has at least 115 GB free at launch; keep additional free space available for mandatory updates.
If the intended drive does not meet the requirement, first check whether another compatible SSD in your PC has enough free space. Buying a drive is only relevant if no suitable existing drive is available; confirm your PC supports the drive you plan to use.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Verify TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
These security features are separate checks, not assumptions based on your PC’s age or Windows version. Activision lists both as requirements.
Rank #3
- POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
- NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
Check TPM 2.0
Open Windows Security > Device security > Security processor details and look for specification version 2.0. Microsoft notes that if the Security processor section is missing, TPM may be disabled or the device may not have the feature. Consult the PC maker’s instructions before changing firmware settings.
Check Secure Boot
Review Windows Security > Device security for Secure Boot status. The feature is controlled through UEFI firmware settings, and a PC that supports Secure Boot does not necessarily have it enabled. Microsoft recommends consulting the manufacturer for device-specific firmware changes.
Rank #4
- POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
- BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
- 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Decide whether your PC meets the target you want
- Minimum to play: compare your system against the minimum row, as well as the shared DirectX 12, AVX, broadband, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.
- 90 FPS multiplayer on High: compare against the recommended row. The 90 FPS figure is Activision’s stated target for this tier, not a guarantee of measured performance on every PC.
- High-quality ray tracing at upscaled 4K: use the ray-tracing row; the minimum tier does not establish capability at this resolution, setting or workload.
Activision’s Call of Duty Blog also reports more than 800 customization options across graphics, gameplay, input devices, interface and other areas. That vendor-reported feature count does not replace the published hardware targets or guarantee a particular frame rate.
What to do if one component falls short
Identify the failing requirement before considering an upgrade. RAM and storage may be upgradeable, but compatibility varies. CPU and GPU changes depend on the motherboard, power supply, cooling, case and, for laptops, the system’s design. The published requirements do not establish a universally compatible upgrade; check your PC maker’s documentation and component compatibility before buying.
Because Activision says its launch specifications can change, recheck its current support page near launch and after game updates. Drivers and support status can change too; an older specification listing is not a promise that a given configuration remains supported.
Quick Recap
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