COD MW4 system requirements: minimum and recommended
The October 1 support page lists Core i7-8700; the September 29 blog lists i7-8700K. This table follows the newer support article rather than silently merging the two. The requirements are for desktop PCs; a similar laptop model name does not certify equivalent compatibility.
Broadband internet and DirectX 12 compatibility are required. The notes specify Intel or AMD processors with AVX, and Resizable Bar for Intel Arc. Mandatory updates may need more storage.
| Component | Minimum desktop profile | Recommended desktop profile |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10, 64-bit, version 22H2 or later | Windows 11, 64-bit, current updates |
| AMD processor | Ryzen 5 1400 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
| Intel processor | Core i5-6600 | Core i7-8700 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| AMD graphics | Radeon RX 470 | Radeon RX 6600 XT |
| NVIDIA graphics | GeForce GTX 970 / GTX 1060 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
| Intel graphics | Arc A580 | Arc B580 |
| Video memory | 3 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 115 GB on SSD | 115 GB on SSD |
Check the online security requirements
Activision’s October 21 security guidance says MW4 requires both TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for online modes. A PC meeting the CPU and GPU table can still be blocked if those settings are not enabled.
Start with the read-only Windows checks described in that guide: tpm.msc shows TPM status, while System Information (msinfo32) shows the boot mode and Secure Boot state. Firmware changes vary by motherboard; use the manufacturer’s instructions rather than treating this page as a universal BIOS procedure.
Installation space is not download size
The 115 GB figure is a published storage requirement. Your launcher may show a different transfer size because it downloads selected content, compressed files, updates or only the files missing from an existing installation. Do not enter 115 GB into a download estimate unless that is the size your current launcher actually shows.
Keep extra headroom for downloads, unpacking and updates. If the launcher reports insufficient space, follow its current requirement instead of assuming that exactly 115 GB of free space will always be enough.
How to compare your PC
These steps read information; they do not require changing Windows, firmware or storage settings. Menu labels and available GPU readings can vary by Windows version and driver support. Use the Microsoft guides below if your screen differs.
This is a requirements comparison, not a benchmark or compatibility certification. No personal FPS measurements were performed for this guide. Laptop power limits, cooling, drivers, display resolution and background tasks can all affect the result.
- Open Windows Settings > System > About. Read the Processor, installed RAM and Windows specifications.
- Open Task Manager > Performance > GPU. Check the exact GPU model and dedicated GPU memory capacity, rather than current memory usage or a total that includes shared system RAM.
- Open Settings > System > Storage and check free space on the intended installation drive. Use Disks & volumes, where available, to read the disk type and confirm SSD rather than HDD; match the correct drive letter.
- Use the read-only security checks above to inspect TPM and Secure Boot status.
- If a value is missing or you have multiple GPUs, check the exact hardware model against the manufacturer’s specifications instead of adding memory across devices.
If MW4 crashes after meeting the requirements
Requirements are a starting point, not a crash diagnosis. Activision’s PC crash guide recommends checking the requirements, cooling, background applications and supported graphics drivers. Record the error, platform and when the crash happens so you can use the relevant official guidance.
Keep connection problems separate from rendering or application crashes. A faster transfer speed does not fix a driver or security configuration problem.
COD MW4 system requirements FAQ
Should I use MW4 beta PC specs?
Use the maintained October 1 Activision Support requirements for the full game. The August beta post describes an earlier build.
Can meeting MW4 minimum specs still leave online modes locked?
Yes. Activision lists TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot as online requirements. Check their status and your Windows version as well as CPU, graphics and storage.
Does the MW4 PC table certify my gaming laptop?
No. The support requirements cover desktop PCs. Similar mobile hardware names, power limits and drivers do not establish equivalent compatibility.
Can the download calculator tell me whether my PC can run MW4?
No. It estimates transfer time from values you enter. It does not inspect hardware, security settings or game performance.
Page update history
- — Adopted the newer desktop support specification, explained the Intel CPU source difference and added online security and crash checks. Added Microsoft-sourced read-only steps for identifying CPU, RAM, GPU memory and the installation drive.
Sources and verification
These links support the factual information in this guide. Our planning advice is independent. Sources were checked . Source publication or update dates below belong to the linked source.
- Current PC launch system requirements Activision Support · Updated
- PC features, preload and launch requirements Call of Duty · Published
- Beta dates, access rules and preload details Call of Duty · Published
- TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements for Call of Duty Activision Support · Updated
- Modern Warfare 4 crashes and game freezes Activision Support · Updated
- Modern Warfare 4 known issues: October 22 support snapshot Activision Support · Updated
- Find processor, RAM, Windows version and storage information Microsoft Support
- GPU and video memory information in Task Manager Microsoft DirectX Developer Blog · Published
- Windows Storage settings and disk type information Microsoft Support
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