CoD: Modern Warfare 4 Beta Preload And PC Spec Requirements
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's first beta weekend starts on August 21, and Activision has revealed all details you'll need before going hands-on with the game. This information includes how to preload the beta, earn beta rewards, and make sure your PC meets all the security requirements and specifications to play.
The first beta runs April 21-25, and it’s available for those who preorder the game on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The full MW4 beta dates and content details can be found here. Below you'll find everything you need to know before playing the Modern Warfare 4 beta.
The full list of beta rewards can be found here, which includes Modern Warfare 4 cosmetics to unlock across both beta weekends.
What to do before playing the MW4 beta
There will be cosmetic rewards available to earn by participating in the Modern Warfare 4 beta. In order to ensure you receive the beta rewards, you'll want to make sure you are logged in with your Activision account.
Signing in with your Activision account allows you to:
- Carry progression across supported platforms, letting you continue with the same profile if you play on more than one platform
- Keep eligible beta rewards tied to your Activision ID
- Access earned beta rewards when Modern Warfare 4 launches
- Continue your progression if you switch between supported platforms
If you don't have an Activision account, you can create one for free to ensure your progression and eligible rewards are saved.
How to download the MW4 beta
The Modern Warfare 4 beta is downloaded separately through your preferred platform's digital storefront. Simply search for "Modern Warfare 4 beta" in the digital shop. You can preload early before a beta weekend begins or at any time during either beta weekends.
If you have early access, you can preload starting at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET on Thursday, August 20 on all platforms except Nintendo Switch 2.
Otherwise, all players can preload the open beta starting at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET on Thursday, August 26, on all platforms.
If you are participating in both beta weekends, you only need to download the game once, as content and progression carries over to week two.
MW4 beta Twitch Drops
If you link your Activision account to your Twitch account, then you can earn even more cosmetics for MW4 by watching Call of Duty: NEXT and participating beta streams.
Call of Duty: NEXT Twitch Drops- “Gas Ready” Emblem (for watching 15 minutes)
- “Rapple Repel” Calling Card (for watching 30 minutes)
- “Ghost Helmet” Charm (for watching 45 minutes)
- “Get Tactical” Emblem (for watching 15 minutes)
- “Clearing House” Calling Card (for watching 30 minutes)
- “Action Ready” Charm (for watching 45 minutes)
Modern Warfare 4 beta: PC specifications
Those looking to play the Modern Warfare 4 beta on PC will want to check the minimum and recommended PC specifications below.
Minimum Specifications
The minimum PC specifications needed to play the Modern Warfare 4 beta:
- OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or Intel Core i5-8400
- RAM: 12GB
- Video Card – AMD: Radeon RX 470
- Video Card – NVIDIA: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / 1060
- Video Card – Intel: Intel Arc A580
- Video Memory: 3GB
- Storage Space: SSD required
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
Recommended Specifications
The recommended PC specifications to play the Modern Warfare 4 beta:
- OS: Windows 11 64 Bit (latest update)
- CPU – AMD: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- CPU – Intel: Intel Core i7-8700
- RAM: 16GB
- Video Card – AMD: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- Video Card – NVIDIA: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
- Video Card – Intel: Intel Arc B580
- Video Memory: 8GB
- Storage Space: SSD required
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
Recommended Drivers
- NVIDIA: 610.47
- AMD: 26.7.1
- Intel: 32.0.101.8861
Required for All PC Specifications
Regardless of the specific PC specs, all PC players must also meet a few other criteria in order to boot up the Modern Warfare 4 beta. This includes the following:
- Internet: Broadband Internet connection
- DirectX: DirectX 12 compatible system
- Additional Requirements: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
The TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are PC-based security features Activision started requiring last year to help the Ricochet anti-cheat "ensure that players are starting the game from a secure and cheat-free foundation."
If you've actively been playing Black Ops 7 and Warzone on PC, then you should already have these features enabled, meaning you'll be ready for the beta. Otherwise, if TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot isn't enabled, you won't be able to play.
Activision shares more information about TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot here. Make sure to check out our guide on how to enable Secure Boot to ensure you don't run into any issues when the beta launches.
Shader preloading on PC
Shader preloading on PC will be available for the Modern Warfare 4 beta, which is designed to help cut down the wait between launching the game and getting into your first match.
Activision does warn that shader preloading uses some system resources while it's running. Its impact is designed to be minimal, and you can continue using your PC while the process runs in the background. This feature can also be disabled in your settings.
How the shader preloading begins will depend on where you play.
Shader preloading during beta
- Battle.net: Shader preloading will be enabled, starting when you first install the beta.
- Steam: Shader preloading will be enabled, but a one-time shader compile is still needed on first boot:
- First game boot – precompile shaders (similar to how it works today)
- Game launches after subsequent updates – Shader preloading takes effect
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2. The game launches with a full campaign, multiplayer, and DMZ extraction mode.