The wait for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’s release is almost over, with the campaign mode set to launch in just a week, and the full game following in two weeks. Yet, the gaming community remains in suspense as Activision has not yet released the official system requirements. However, Computer Base has stepped in to fill the gap by providing a glimpse into what to expect. They’ve obtained a preliminary specification sheet which suggests that this iteration of the popular franchise may require slightly more robust hardware than the previous edition released the year before.
In a year filled with highly anticipated game launches, the preliminary system specs for the upcoming Call of Duty release reveal a subtle but noticeable upgrade over its predecessor, Modern Warfare II. While the hardware demands are on the rise, they remain considerably more forgiving than those of many other notable titles slated for release in 2023.
As the highly anticipated release of Modern Warfare III draws near, it is expected that Activision will unveil the complete specification sheet, which will include performance recommendations for both 1440p and 4K gameplay. While the initial system requirements provided do not specify a particular performance profile, it’s reasonable to infer that they are designed for 1080p gaming at 60 frames per second. Given the typical trajectory of the Call of Duty series, these preliminary specifications offer a starting point for gamers to gauge their hardware’s suitability, with more detailed requirements likely to be disclosed by Activision as the game’s launch date approaches.
One intriguing aspect of the system requirements for Modern Warfare III is the fact that both the minimum and recommended specs list the same central processing units (CPUs), namely an Intel Core i5-6600 or an AMD Ryzen 5 1600. This choice of processors is noteworthy because it mirrors the CPU requirements of its predecessor, Modern Warfare II, in the case of Intel processors, while slightly elevating the AMD counterpart. This indicates a degree of continuity in the game’s CPU demands from the previous edition.
Additionally, while the open beta of the game called for 65GB of storage space, or 25GB for users who had installed Call of Duty HQ, the final SSD requirement remains uncertain. It’s worth noting that downloading Call of Duty HQ now is likely to have a substantial impact on Modern Warfare III’s overall storage requirements, potentially increasing the game’s storage footprint. Players should stay tuned for more information on the precise SSD specifications and their impact as the release date approaches.
The remaining system specifications for Modern Warfare III indicate that the game is expected to perform well on older GPUs, specifically the GTX 1000 series and Radeon RX 400 series, as well as more recent lower-end graphics cards. While memory and video memory requirements have seen a moderate increase, these changes shouldn’t pose a significant challenge for most gamers, even those with somewhat dated hardware.
As for the Ultra High Definition (UHD) recommendations from Activision, it is anticipated that they will not deviate significantly from those of Modern Warfare II. This suggests that, even with enhanced graphical fidelity, the demands on hardware for playing the game at the highest visual settings are expected to be manageable for a broad range of PC configurations, making the gaming experience accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
| Hardware | Minimum | Recommended |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 AMD Radeon RX 480 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 AMD Radeon RX Vega |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-6600 AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel Core i5-6600 AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| RAM | 12GB | 16GB |
| VRAM | 3GB | 6GB |
Modern Warfare III’s system requirements present a striking contrast to recent releases in the gaming world, particularly when compared to titles like Forza Motorsport, Lords of the Fallen, and, notably, Alan Wake II. This divergence is not surprising given that Modern Warfare III is a competitive first-person shooter, which typically demands more from a PC’s hardware to ensure smooth gameplay. Unlike some recent releases that may employ AI-based upscaling techniques to optimize performance, it’s unlikely that this year’s Call of Duty installment will heavily rely on such technologies. In contrast, the previous entry in the series did offer several options for AI-based upscaling, showcasing the different approach taken in this year’s release.
It’s also worth noting that the last two titles in the Call of Duty series did not incorporate ray tracing, a feature that enhances the visual quality of games by simulating how light interacts with objects in a virtual environment. Given this history, it’s reasonable to assume that Modern Warfare III will follow suit and omit ray tracing from its graphical features. This choice likely stems from the game’s emphasis on fast-paced, competitive gameplay, which prioritizes smooth performance over visual enhancements like ray tracing.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is set to make its debut on November 10, becoming available on popular gaming platforms such as Steam, Battle.net, and across both generations of PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Gamers who opt to pre-order the title will have the advantage of diving into the game’s immersive story campaign a week earlier, starting on November 3. This early access opportunity provides an enticing incentive for early adopters, allowing them to experience the highly anticipated game ahead of the official launch date.
With its wide availability on diverse gaming platforms and the enticing pre-order offer, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is poised to engage a broad audience of players, promising an action-packed experience that builds upon the series’ legacy of immersive storytelling and high-octane multiplayer action.
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