Can your desktop run Modern Warfare 4?
Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23, according to Call of Duty’s September 29 PC announcement. Check your existing hardware against Activision’s launch requirements before ordering an upgrade. A desktop already meeting the recommended tier is a reason to wait for your own performance results.
Update, October 20: checked the October 1 support requirements against the September 29 blog. The recommended Intel CPU differs: support names the i7-8700; the blog names the i7-8700K. We use the newer support page below. Neither list is a benchmark from The Hardware Pick.
Official minimum, recommended and ray tracing requirements
Activision Support, updated October 1, checked October 20, is the source for every hardware row. Recommended targets 90 FPS in multiplayer on High. The ray tracing tier specifies High-quality ray tracing at 4K upscaled; it does not promise native 4K or a stated frame rate.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended | Ray tracing: 4K upscaled | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows, 64-bit, latest update | 10 | 11 | 11 | Activision |
| AMD CPU | Ryzen 5 1400 | Ryzen 5 3600 | Ryzen 7 3700X | Activision |
| Intel CPU | Core i5-6600 | Core i7-8700 | Core i7-10700K | Activision |
| System RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | Activision |
| AMD GPU | Radeon RX 470 | Radeon RX 6600 XT | Radeon RX 9070 XT | Activision |
| NVIDIA GPU | GTX 970 / 1060 | RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 5070 Ti | Activision |
| Intel GPU | Arc A580 | Arc B580 | Not listed | Activision |
| Video memory | 3 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB | Activision |
| Free SSD space at launch | 115 GB | 115 GB | 115 GB | Activision |
The official blog’s additional notes also require TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, DirectX 12 and broadband. Intel Arc needs Resizable Bar. CPUs must be Intel or AMD with AVX. Updates can require extra storage. Trial, beta and Insider Windows versions may be unsupported, according to support.
These are desktop specifications. Activision warns that similarly named laptop GPUs can differ and may be unsupported. Match the complete system, including VRAM and security requirements; a GPU name alone cannot establish compatibility.
Buy, wait or skip by upgrade need
| Your situation | Verdict | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| You meet only the minimum and can accept lower settings | Wait | Try the game before choosing an upgrade; no minimum-tier FPS target is specified. |
| You meet the recommended list | Wait | Measure your system at the settings you intend to use. |
| You want the listed 4K upscaled ray tracing tier and lack its GPU | Buy conditionally | Compare RX 9070 XT and RTX 5070 Ti systems after checking CPU, RAM, power and fit. |
| Your only issue is storage space | Buy conditionally | Free space first; buy an SSD only if capacity remains a problem. |
| You are considering an old minimum-spec CPU as a new purchase | Skip | Check the full platform upgrade path before buying an obsolete replacement. |
A newer model number is not an official performance equivalence. We do not assign unlisted GPUs an FPS result. Use the graphics-card chooser for broader options and the RTX 5070 versus RX 9070 comparison for those specific cards. The non-Ti and non-XT names are different from the ray tracing pair above.
What to buy on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These are conditional upgrade options, not a complete compatible build. Check the exact model, seller, power connections, case clearance and return terms at Amazon. Availability has not been verified for this report.
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 XT OC: buy if you need the ray tracing GPU tier
Buy if you have chosen Activision’s ray tracing tier and your remaining system meets it. RX 9070 XT is an exact GPU name in that list. Verify this partner card’s power and fit requirements before ordering. We have not measured MW4 on it.
View RX 9070 XT at AmazonGIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5070 Ti WINDFORCE SFF 16G: wait if your current PC meets your goal
Wait if your current hardware already meets the recommended tier and High multiplayer is your goal. RTX 5070 Ti is named for the separate ray tracing tier; that alone is no reason to replace a working GPU. Check whether this purchase also requires a power supply or platform upgrade.
View RTX 5070 Ti at AmazonSamsung 990 PRO 2TB: skip if your existing SSD has enough space
Skip this purchase if your current SSD has the required free space plus room for updates. Activision requires an SSD without naming this model or requiring a particular NVMe generation. If you do need more capacity, check your motherboard’s M.2 support before selecting this drive. No MW4 FPS or loading-time improvement is claimed.
View Samsung 990 PRO at AmazonCan my PC run MW4? Common questions
Does meeting the minimum guarantee 90 FPS?
Activision attaches the 90 FPS High multiplayer target to recommended hardware. It publishes no equivalent FPS promise for the minimum tier.
Do I need a new GPU if I already have an RTX 3060 Ti?
That GPU appears in the recommended list. Check your CPU, RAM, SSD and security setup, then assess actual performance before buying. This report is research-based, not lab-tested.
Can a laptop with the same GPU name qualify?
Do not infer that from the name. Activision’s list covers desktops and specifically cautions that laptop variants can differ.
Should I buy a faster monitor first?
Check the frame rates your PC actually produces at your chosen settings. The recent NVIDIA display-hotfix report addresses a separate display issue. Our earlier RTX 5070 buying report offers context for checking a specific listing, not MW4 test results.
Updated Oct 20, 2026: changed the RTX 5070 Ti option to the GIGABYTE WINDFORCE SFF 16G with its own photo and listing. Check its power and fit requirements before buying.