Activision has detailed the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 system requirements ahead of the game’s first beta weekend. Early Access begins on August 21 for pre-order customers, while the Open Beta will run from August 28 through September 1 across all supported platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2.
On PC, the minimum configuration calls for an AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or Intel Core i5-8400, 12GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or GTX 1060, AMD Radeon RX 470, or Intel Arc A580. Notably, the beta can run on some GPUs with only 3GB of VRAM, keeping the entry point relatively accessible for older gaming systems.
Players targeting around 60 FPS with console-comparable visual settings are advised to use an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i7-8700 alongside 16GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, or Intel Arc B580.
An SSD and broadband internet connection are required, while Activision is also enforcing TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on PC. Players without both security features enabled will be blocked from accessing Modern Warfare 4’s online beta modes.
The beta itself will cover substantially more than a traditional Call of Duty multiplayer test. The first weekend, running from August 21-25, is reserved for players who pre-order on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, or PC. The second weekend, scheduled for August 28-September 1, will be open to everyone and will also mark the first Modern Warfare 4 beta access for Nintendo Switch 2 players.
Activision says players will be able to unlock up to 19 weapons and try modes ranging from 3v3 encounters to larger-scale battles featuring vehicles. Search & Destroy will return alongside the new Kill Block mode and a Training Mobility Course designed around the game’s movement systems.
Modern Warfare 4 is also taking an unusual approach to beta content by including a campaign mission, Entrenched, while the second weekend is expected to introduce Warzone content. That represents a broader testing format than the multiplayer-focused betas traditionally associated with the series.
Call of Duty: NEXT will take place on August 21 immediately before the beta goes live, with Activision promising live gameplay, a deeper multiplayer briefing, developer commentary, and additional reveals.
The full release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled for October 23, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Infinity Ward is leading development, with Beenox working alongside the studio on the PC version. Unlike several previous Call of Duty releases, Modern Warfare 4 will not launch on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
