COD MW4 System Requirements Explained: Specs, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot Setup

If you're planning to drop into Modern Warfare 4 on PC, the COD MW4 system requirements are only half the story. Before you even think about frame rates, you need to confirm your rig clears the hardware bar and that your motherboard has TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled. Miss either security feature and the game simply won't launch, no matter how powerful your GPU is. This guide breaks down every tier of the COD MW4 system requirements, walks you through the security checks step by step, and covers the driver versions and storage needs you should sort out before launch day.

The Complete COD MW4 System Requirements at a Glance

Activision published three official spec tiers for Modern Warfare 4: minimum, recommended, and a ray tracing tier for high-end builds. All three share a few global rules — you need broadband internet, DirectX 12 compatibility, and an SSD. Intel Arc graphics cards also require Resizable Bar to be enabled.

Here's the full comparison so you can see exactly where your build lands.

A few notes worth flagging. The recommended tier is tuned for roughly 90 FPS in multiplayer on High settings — it is not a campaign-at-4K guarantee. The ray tracing tier targets 4K with upscaling and High-quality ray tracing enabled. And the 115 GB figure is a launch-day number; Activision has said mandatory updates may push storage needs higher over time.

Breaking Down Each Spec Tier: Which Build Do You Need?

Minimum Specs: Playable, Not Pretty

The minimum tier pairs a Ryzen 5 1400 or i5-6600 with 8 GB of RAM and a 3 GB card like the GTX 970. That's a genuinely old configuration by 2026 standards. If you're on this tier, expect low settings, aggressive upscaling, and frame drops in busy multiplayer matches. It will run — but it won't feel great.

One trap here: 8 GB of system RAM is tight for a modern Call of Duty title. Community reports from previous entries suggest the game regularly consumes more than that once you factor in the OS and background apps. If you're on the minimum tier, closing browsers and launchers before playing is not optional.

Recommended Specs: The Real Target

The recommended tier — Ryzen 5 3600 or i7-8700, 16 GB RAM, RX 6600 XT or RTX 3060 Ti — is where most players should aim. This is the configuration Activision uses to define 90 FPS in multiplayer on High. It's also the sweet spot for 1440p with upscaling.

If you're building or upgrading specifically for Modern Warfare 4, this is the tier to budget for. Jumping from 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM is the single cheapest upgrade that moves you from minimum to recommended.

Ray Tracing Specs: For Enthusiasts Only

The top tier demands 32 GB of RAM and a 16 GB GPU like the RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT. That's a significant jump. Ray tracing at 4K with upscaling is expensive, and the COD MW4 system requirements reflect that honestly — there's no pretending a mid-range card handles this tier.

The Hidden Requirement: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot

This is the part of the COD MW4 system requirements that catches people off guard. Beyond hardware, Modern Warfare 4 requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot to be enabled on your PC. These features support Team Ricochet's anti-cheat protections and help keep matches fair.

Most systems built in the last several years already support both, but they aren't always switched on by default. If they're disabled, the game will block you at launch with a security message.

How to Check if TPM 2.0 Is Already Enabled

You can also verify through Windows Security: open Device Security, then Security Processor Details.

How to Check Your Secure Boot Status

If your BIOS mode says Legacy, stop before switching. Your drive may use the older MBR format, and flipping to UEFI without converting to GPT first can leave Windows unable to boot.

Step-by-Step: Enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot Safely

Before touching BIOS settings, take three precautions: save your BitLocker recovery key, back up important files, and only change the TPM, UEFI, CSM, and Secure Boot options described here. Never clear, reset, or delete your TPM keys.

1. Enter BIOS. The easiest route is Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced Startup, then Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → UEFI Firmware Settings.
2. Enable TPM. Look for TPM settings in BIOS. On AMD boards it's often labeled fTPM; on Intel boards it's usually PTT. Enable it, save, and reboot.
3. Enable Secure Boot. Go to the Boot or Security tab, enable Secure Boot, and disable CSM or legacy boot if present. Save and reboot.
4. Verify. Re-run tpm.msc and msinfo32 to confirm both are active.

Exact menu names vary by motherboard, so check your manual if you can't find an option.

Faster Option: The Secure Attestation Wizard

Activision offers a Secure Attestation Wizard that scans your BIOS information and tells you whether TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are ready. Download it, extract the ZIP, run it with administrator permission, and accept the terms. If you're compliant, you're done. If not, it identifies what needs updating.

One caveat: if your PC is managed by a school or workplace, some of these settings may be locked by your organization.

Drivers, Storage, and Launch-Day Prep

Getting your hardware and security sorted is most of the battle, but a few housekeeping items matter too.

Install the matching driver for your GPU before launch, especially if you've seen graphical glitches in past Call of Duty titles. Keep Windows 10 or 11 fully updated through the standard Windows Update process. And leave headroom on your SSD — 115 GB is the floor, not a comfortable target.

For official details, the Activision support page for Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements is the authoritative reference and will be updated if specs change post-launch.

Quick Upgrade Advice Based on Your Current Build

Not sure where to spend money? Here's a practical read on the COD MW4 system requirements by starting point.

• 8 GB RAM, older GPU: Upgrade RAM to 16 GB first. It's the cheapest path off the minimum tier.
• 16 GB RAM, GTX 1060-class card: You're near minimum. A jump to an RTX 3060 Ti-class GPU gets you to recommended.
• Solid 1440p build: You likely clear recommended already. Verify TPM and Secure Boot, update drivers, and you're set.
• Chasing ray tracing: 32 GB RAM and a 16 GB GPU are the real gates. Don't attempt this tier on 16 GB of RAM.

Player experience from past launches also suggests installing the game on an SSD is non-negotiable — load times and texture streaming both suffer badly on mechanical drives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot to play COD MW4? Yes. Both are mandatory for PC players. They support anti-cheat protections, and the game will show a security message at launch if either is disabled.

Will my PC run Modern Warfare 4 if it only meets the minimum COD MW4 system requirements? It will run, but expect low settings and inconsistent frame rates. The minimum tier uses hardware that's several generations old, and 8 GB of RAM is tight for a modern Call of Duty title.

How much storage do I need for Modern Warfare 4? Plan for at least 115 GB of free space on an SSD at launch. Mandatory updates may increase that figure over time, so leaving extra headroom is wise.

What happens if I switch to UEFI without converting my drive to GPT? Windows may fail to start. If your BIOS is in Legacy mode, confirm your OS drive uses GPT before enabling UEFI and Secure Boot.

Are the COD MW4 system requirements final? Activision notes the specs are valid for launch and may be updated later. Check the official support page before making upgrade decisions.