Best Modern Warfare 4 Settings for Maximum FPS in 2027

The best Modern Warfare 4 settings for maximum FPS prioritize smooth gameplay, low input latency, and clear visibility without unnecessarily sacrificing image quality. On PC, reducing demanding effects such as ray tracing, shadows, and reflections can free up GPU resources, while selecting the right upscaling technology can help maintain higher frame rates at 1080p, 1440p, or 4K.

For most competitive players, the best starting point is to disable ray tracing, use low shadow and reflection settings, enable an appropriate upscaler, turn off unnecessary motion blur, and test performance with the built-in benchmark tool.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 officially supports NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR Redstone, Intel XeSS 3, and Filmic SMAA T2X. According to Activision's official Modern Warfare 4 PC technical overview, the game also includes more than 800 customization options and a dedicated performance benchmark.

This guide explains the best Modern Warfare 4 PC graphics settings, upscaling options, display configurations, and performance improvements for players preparing for 2027.

Editor's note: These are performance-oriented starting recommendations based on official PC features announced before the October 23, 2026 launch. They are not measured 2027 benchmarks. Exact menu labels, optimal settings, and performance can change with game updates and hardware drivers.

Best Modern Warfare 4 Graphics Settings for Maximum FPS

If your main goal is competitive multiplayer performance, begin with the following settings.

Graphics Setting	Recommended Starting Value
Display Mode	Exclusive Fullscreen, if available
Display Resolution	Native monitor resolution
Refresh Rate	Highest supported
V-Sync (Gameplay)	Off for lowest latency
Frame Rate Limit	Match performance target
Render Resolution	100% with native rendering
Upscaling	DLSS, FSR, or XeSS when supported
Upscaling Preset	Quality or Balanced
Render Sharpening	Adjust for clarity
Texture Resolution	Normal or Low
Texture Filtering	Normal
Shadow Quality	Low
Shadow Filtering Quality	Low
Screen Space Reflections	Off or Low
Occlusion and Screen Space Lighting	Low or Off
Ray Tracing	Off
Volumetric Effects	Low, where available
Particle Quality	Low, where available
World Depth of Field	Off
Weapon Depth of Field	Off
Motion Blur	Off, where available
Film Grain	0, where available
Field of View	100–110 as a starting preference
Enhanced FOV	Test according to preference
Frame Generation	Optional; test latency carefully

These values are recommended starting points, not a verified list of every final menu option. Activision has specifically confirmed settings for shadow filtering, reflections, occlusion, screen-space lighting, depth of field, sharpness, and upscaling. Other commonly used PC graphics controls should be checked against the current in-game menu.

Lower settings do not always produce the best overall experience. For example, texture quality may have a relatively small FPS impact on a graphics card with sufficient VRAM, while lowering resolution too aggressively can make distant opponents harder to identify.

The best approach is to change a few settings at a time and measure the results.

Best Display Settings for Modern Warfare 4

Display configuration is one of the first things to check before changing detailed graphics options.

Display Mode: Fullscreen

Use Exclusive Fullscreen if the current PC version offers it and testing shows a benefit.

Fullscreen modes can reduce unnecessary desktop-compositing overhead on some systems, although modern Windows optimizations mean borderless fullscreen can perform similarly.

If you regularly switch between applications, borderless fullscreen may be more convenient.

Display Resolution: Native

For a 1080p monitor, begin at 1920 × 1080. For a 1440p monitor, use 2560 × 1440.

Native resolution generally provides the clearest image for your display.

If performance is insufficient, try upscaling before lowering the monitor's output resolution.

Refresh Rate: Highest Available

Make sure Modern Warfare 4 and Windows are using your monitor's intended refresh rate.

A 144Hz or 240Hz monitor will not display its full potential if the system is configured to output at a lower refresh rate.

Higher refresh rates can improve perceived smoothness when the PC produces enough frames.

V-Sync: Off for Competitive Play

Disabling traditional V-Sync is a common starting point for minimizing additional input latency.

However, screen tearing may become more noticeable.

If your monitor supports variable refresh rate technology such as G-SYNC or FreeSync, test the recommended configuration for your display and graphics driver.

The best choice depends on whether you prioritize minimum latency or tear-free presentation.

Frame Rate Limit: Match Your Hardware

An unlimited frame rate may produce the highest average FPS, but it can also increase power consumption, temperatures, and performance variability.

A stable frame rate near your monitor's refresh rate can feel smoother than an unstable frame rate that constantly fluctuates.

Start with a target your PC can maintain consistently, then adjust based on benchmark results.

Best Upscaling Settings: DLSS 4.5, FSR Redstone, and XeSS 3

Upscaling is one of the most important performance features in Modern Warfare 4.

Instead of rendering every frame entirely at the display's native resolution, an upscaler reconstructs the image from a lower internal resolution.

This can improve performance when the GPU is the main limitation.

Activision has officially confirmed support for several technologies.

NVIDIA DLSS 4.5

Best for: Compatible NVIDIA RTX graphics cards

DLSS uses NVIDIA's AI-based reconstruction technology to improve performance while preserving image detail.

For a balanced competitive experience, begin with DLSS Quality mode.

If FPS remains below your target, try Balanced mode and compare image clarity.

Performance mode can provide additional headroom, especially at higher resolutions, but may reduce fine detail.

The availability of particular DLSS features depends on the GPU model and supported drivers.

AMD FSR Redstone

Best for: Supported AMD and other compatible GPU configurations

AMD FSR Redstone is another officially supported upscaling option.

It aims to improve performance by reconstructing images from a lower rendering resolution.

Start with a quality-oriented preset when available, then move toward a more performance-focused preset if necessary.

Check compatibility with your graphics card and the game's current implementation before enabling advanced features.

Intel XeSS 3

Best for: Supported Intel graphics hardware and compatible GPUs

Intel XeSS 3 is included among Modern Warfare 4's confirmed PC technologies.

It offers another way to balance rendering performance and image quality.

As with DLSS and FSR, the ideal preset depends on your target resolution and hardware.

Filmic SMAA T2X

Filmic SMAA T2X is Modern Warfare 4's default anti-aliasing solution according to Activision.

It reduces visible jagged edges without relying on the same reconstruction approach as dedicated upscalers.

Players who already achieve their desired frame rate at native resolution can compare this option against upscaling for image quality.

Which Upscaler Should You Choose?

GPU or Situation	Recommended Starting Point
Compatible NVIDIA RTX GPU	DLSS Quality
Compatible AMD GPU	FSR quality-oriented preset
Supported Intel GPU	XeSS quality-oriented preset
High-end GPU at 1080p	Compare native rendering with upscaling
Mid-range GPU at 1440p	Quality or Balanced upscaling
GPU struggling at 4K	Balanced or Performance upscaling

There is no universal winner for every PC. Compare image quality, average FPS, and input latency using the same benchmark scene.

Should You Enable Frame Generation in Modern Warfare 4?

Frame generation can increase the number of frames displayed on screen by creating additional intermediate frames.

Modern Warfare 4 officially supports frame-generation technologies, although feature availability depends on compatible hardware.

For single-player gameplay, frame generation may improve perceived smoothness.

Competitive multiplayer requires more careful testing.

Generated frames do not necessarily reduce the time between a player's input and the next game simulation update. A higher displayed FPS number therefore does not automatically mean lower input latency.

If you mainly play competitive multiplayer, prioritize strong native or upscaled rendering performance first.

Then compare frame generation on and off while checking responsiveness and the game's input-latency measurements.

Recommended approach: Leave frame generation disabled for your first competitive benchmark, then enable it only if the added smoothness outweighs any latency trade-offs on your system.

Best Shadow and Lighting Settings for Higher FPS

Lighting effects can be demanding, particularly in scenes containing complex geometry, reflective surfaces, and multiple light sources.

Modern Warfare 4 introduces new graphics controls related to shading and visibility.

Shadow Quality: Low

Shadow rendering can place additional work on the GPU.

Reducing shadow quality is a sensible starting point for competitive players seeking higher FPS.

However, extremely low settings can change the visual appearance of certain areas.

Test whether the performance improvement is worth the difference in visibility.

Shadow Filtering Quality: Low

Activision has confirmed an improved Shadow Filtering Quality setting for Modern Warfare 4.

This controls aspects of how shadows are visually processed.

A lower setting may reduce rendering workload, although the exact FPS benefit depends on the GPU and scene.

Screen Space Reflections: Off or Low

Screen-space reflections contribute to the appearance of reflective surfaces.

They can improve visual realism but are generally less important for competitive target identification.

Start with reflections disabled or set to Low, then compare performance in the benchmark.

Occlusion and Screen Space Lighting: Low

Ambient occlusion and screen-space lighting help create depth and realistic interactions between objects and light.

These effects can improve environmental presentation, but they are not always essential for competitive play.

Reducing them is a reasonable optimization step when the GPU is under heavy load.

Ray Tracing: Off

Modern Warfare 4 supports ray tracing in Campaign, Multiplayer, and DMZ.

Ray tracing can enhance reflections, shadows, and lighting, but it may require substantial GPU resources.

For maximum FPS, disabling ray tracing is the clearest performance-oriented starting recommendation.

Players with powerful GPUs can experiment with enabling it after reaching their desired frame-rate target.

Best Texture Settings for Modern Warfare 4

Texture resolution should be selected according to available video memory rather than automatically set to the lowest value.

A graphics card with sufficient VRAM may handle higher texture settings without a major reduction in average FPS.

However, exceeding available video memory can contribute to stuttering, texture-loading issues, or inconsistent frame times.

Low-End PCs

Start with Low textures if your GPU has limited VRAM.

This can reduce memory pressure and may improve consistency in demanding scenes.

Mid-Range PCs

Normal textures provide a practical balance between image detail and memory use.

Increase texture quality only after confirming stable performance.

High-End PCs

Higher texture settings may be worthwhile when sufficient VRAM is available.

However, they should not take priority over smooth frame delivery in competitive matches.

Tip: If average FPS looks acceptable but the game stutters, monitor VRAM use, system RAM, and frame times before lowering every graphics setting.

Best Field of View and Visibility Settings

Modern Warfare 4 includes additional visibility improvements intended to help players identify targets.

According to Activision, these include Enhanced FOV, improved weapon effects, and separate depth-of-field controls.

Field of View: Start at 100–110

A wider field of view allows more of the environment to appear on screen.

This can improve awareness of nearby movement, particularly in fast-paced multiplayer.

However, a wider FOV also makes distant objects appear smaller.

Starting around 100–110 is a reasonable preference for many PC players, but it is not an officially verified optimum.

Adjust it according to monitor size, viewing distance, and comfort.

Enhanced FOV: Test Before Enabling

Enhanced FOV is a PC-exclusive feature that modifies how the field of view is presented near the edges of the screen.

Activision explains that it increases peripheral visibility without affecting the center FOV in the same way as simply widening the entire image.

Players who prefer a narrower central view may find it useful.

Because visual comfort varies, compare it against the standard FOV presentation before choosing a permanent setting.

World Depth of Field: Off

World Depth of Field can blur portions of the environment to create a cinematic effect.

Disabling it is a sensible choice for competitive players who prefer consistently sharp surroundings.

Weapon Depth of Field: Off

Modern Warfare 4 separates weapon depth of field from world depth of field.

This allows players to customize visual focus more precisely.

For maximum clarity, begin with both depth-of-field options disabled.

Sharpness: Adjust Carefully

Modern Warfare 4 introduces a global sharpness slider that works with its supported upscaling technologies.

A moderate amount of sharpening can help restore detail lost through image reconstruction.

Excessive sharpening may introduce halos, grain, or unnatural edges.

Increase sharpness gradually while observing distant objects and character outlines.

Best Modern Warfare 4 Settings for Low-End PCs

If your PC is close to the minimum system requirements, prioritize stable frame delivery over high visual quality.

Recommended Low-End Starting Configuration

Setting	Recommendation
Resolution	1080p, or lower if necessary
Upscaling	Balanced or Performance
Texture Resolution	Low
Shadows	Low
Reflections	Off
Occlusion	Low or Off
Ray Tracing	Off
Depth of Field	Off
Motion Blur	Off, if available
Frame Generation	Test only if supported
FPS Limit	Choose a sustainable target

According to Activision's official Modern Warfare 4 PC system requirements, the minimum specification includes 8GB RAM, a supported entry-level GPU, and an SSD with 115GB of available storage at launch.

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a specific competitive frame rate.

Players using older hardware should pay particular attention to CPU limitations, available VRAM, and background applications.

Best Modern Warfare 4 Settings for Mid-Range PCs

Mid-range systems can often achieve a better balance between visual quality and frame rate.

Activision's recommended hardware targets 90 FPS in multiplayer at high graphics settings, although real performance varies by configuration.

A practical starting point is:

• Native 1080p or 1440p output resolution
• DLSS, FSR, or XeSS Quality mode when supported
• Normal texture quality
• Low shadows
• Low reflections
• Ray tracing disabled
• Depth of field disabled
• Moderate sharpening
• A stable frame-rate target

This configuration focuses on reducing costly visual effects while retaining reasonable image detail.

Players with a 144Hz monitor can then lower additional settings if their benchmark results indicate that the GPU has enough headroom to approach a higher frame rate.

Best Modern Warfare 4 Settings for High-End PCs

High-end graphics cards provide more flexibility, particularly at 1440p and 4K.

However, even powerful PCs can benefit from reducing settings that provide limited competitive value.

For a high-refresh-rate multiplayer setup, consider:

• Native 1440p or 4K output
• Quality upscaling when beneficial
• Normal or High textures if VRAM allows
• Low or Normal shadows
• Low reflections
• Ray tracing disabled for maximum FPS
• Depth of field disabled
• A frame-rate cap suited to the monitor
• Frame generation tested separately from base rendering performance

Players who primarily enjoy the campaign may prefer higher visual settings and ray tracing instead.

The ideal configuration depends on whether maximum responsiveness or cinematic presentation is the priority.

How to Use the Modern Warfare 4 Benchmark Tool

One of the most useful confirmed PC features is Modern Warfare 4's built-in Benchmark Tool.

Activision states that it runs a simulated multiplayer sequence and reports performance measurements.

These include:

• Average FPS
• CPU information
• GPU information
• Ping
• Input latency
• Performance breakdowns across different zones
• Suggestions for improving performance

Step 1: Start With a Baseline

Launch the benchmark using the game's default recommended graphics settings.

Record your average FPS and input latency.

This provides a reference point before making changes.

Step 2: Disable Ray Tracing

Turn off ray tracing and run the benchmark again.

Compare the results with your baseline.

Step 3: Lower Shadows and Reflections

Reduce shadow quality, shadow filtering, reflections, and occlusion.

Run the benchmark again to identify whether these changes provide a meaningful improvement.

Step 4: Test Upscaling

Enable your GPU's supported upscaling technology.

Begin with Quality mode and compare the results with native rendering.

If additional performance is necessary, test Balanced mode.

Step 5: Check CPU and GPU Limitations

If reducing graphics settings produces little or no FPS improvement, your system may be limited by the CPU or another component rather than the GPU.

In that situation, lowering resolution further may not solve the underlying problem.

Step 6: Compare Frame Times and Latency

Average FPS is useful, but it does not describe every aspect of smoothness.

Watch for inconsistent frame delivery, sudden drops, and changes in input latency.

A configuration with slightly lower average FPS may feel better if it produces more consistent performance.

How to Fix Modern Warfare 4 FPS Drops and Stuttering

If Modern Warfare 4 experiences sudden frame-rate drops, begin with the following troubleshooting steps.

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Install a stable graphics driver that supports your GPU and the game.

Activision specifically recommends using current graphics drivers for the PC release.

Driver updates can address compatibility issues and improve performance in supported games.

Install the Game on an SSD

Modern Warfare 4 requires SSD storage according to its official PC requirements.

An SSD can improve asset-loading behavior and help avoid storage-related delays.

Keep enough free space for game updates and temporary files.

Use Advanced Shader Delivery When Supported

Modern Warfare 4 introduces Advanced Shader Delivery, a system designed to provide precompiled shaders before gameplay.

Activision states that the feature can reduce the amount of shader preparation required after launching the game.

The company recommends installing the Xbox PC app for supported configurations that use Advanced Shader Delivery.

This does not mean every player must launch Modern Warfare 4 through the Xbox app. The requirement relates specifically to accessing the supported shader-delivery workflow.

Close Unnecessary Background Applications

Browsers, recording software, overlays, and other applications can consume CPU, RAM, or GPU resources.

Close applications you do not need while playing.

If you record gameplay, test whether hardware encoding affects performance.

Monitor Temperatures

High CPU or GPU temperatures can cause hardware to reduce operating speeds.

Monitor temperatures and clock speeds during demanding gameplay.

If thermal throttling occurs, improving cooling may be more effective than changing graphics settings.

Check System Memory

Insufficient RAM can contribute to inconsistent performance, particularly when several applications are open.

Modern Warfare 4 lists 8GB RAM as its minimum requirement, while the recommended configuration includes 16GB.

Players with limited memory should avoid running unnecessary applications in the background.

Avoid Unverified Performance Tweaks

Be cautious with third-party configuration files, registry modifications, and programs that promise dramatic FPS increases.

Some changes can cause instability, introduce security risks, or conflict with game updates.

Use official graphics drivers, supported game settings, and the built-in benchmark whenever possible.

Modern Warfare 4 PC Requirements

Before optimizing the game, compare your hardware with the official specifications.

Component	Minimum	Recommended
Operating System	Windows 10 64-bit	Windows 11 64-bit
Processor	Ryzen 5 1400 / Core i5-6600	Ryzen 5 3600 / Core i7-8700
RAM	8GB	16GB
AMD GPU	Radeon RX 470	Radeon RX 6600 XT
NVIDIA GPU	GTX 970 / GTX 1060	RTX 3060
Intel GPU	Arc A580	Arc B580
Storage	SSD, 115GB	SSD, 115GB
Graphics API	DirectX 12	DirectX 12

The recommended specification is associated with Activision's stated 90 FPS multiplayer target at high settings.

Actual results depend on the exact hardware, drivers, graphics settings, and game version.

Activision also states that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are required for Modern Warfare 4, and Intel Arc graphics cards require Resizable BAR.

For updated requirements, consult the official Activision support page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Modern Warfare 4 settings for maximum FPS?

Start by disabling ray tracing, lowering shadows and reflections, selecting an appropriate upscaler, and disabling depth-of-field effects. Then use the built-in benchmark to measure FPS and input latency.

Should I use DLSS in Modern Warfare 4?

If you have a compatible NVIDIA RTX GPU and are limited by graphics performance, DLSS can improve frame rates. Quality mode is a sensible starting point, while Balanced mode may provide additional performance.

Is AMD FSR supported in Modern Warfare 4?

Yes. Activision has officially confirmed AMD FSR Redstone support for the PC version.

Does Modern Warfare 4 support Intel XeSS?

Yes. Intel XeSS 3 is included among the officially announced PC technologies.

Should I turn off ray tracing for higher FPS?

Yes. Disabling ray tracing is a sensible starting point when maximum frame rate is more important than realistic lighting and reflections.

What is the best FOV for Modern Warfare 4?

A value around 100–110 is a reasonable starting preference for PC players who want greater peripheral awareness. However, the ideal setting depends on monitor size, viewing distance, and comfort.

Does Modern Warfare 4 have a benchmark tool?

Yes. Activision has confirmed a built-in Benchmark Tool that measures average FPS, CPU and GPU performance, ping, and input latency.

How much RAM does Modern Warfare 4 need?

The official minimum is 8GB RAM, while the recommended configuration specifies 16GB.

Can Modern Warfare 4 run at 144 FPS?

It may be possible on sufficiently powerful hardware, but 144 FPS is not guaranteed. Activision's published recommended specification targets 90 FPS in multiplayer at high settings. Higher frame rates depend on hardware, resolution, and graphics settings.

Is frame generation good for competitive Modern Warfare 4?

Frame generation can improve displayed smoothness, but it does not necessarily reduce input latency. Competitive players should test it against native or upscaled rendering before deciding whether to enable it.

Conclusion

The best Modern Warfare 4 settings for maximum FPS focus on reducing expensive visual effects while preserving clarity and responsiveness.

For competitive multiplayer, start with low shadows, reduced reflections, disabled ray tracing, and a suitable upscaling mode. Turn off unnecessary depth-of-field effects and use a field of view that feels comfortable.

NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR Redstone, and Intel XeSS 3 provide additional ways to improve performance on compatible hardware.

Most importantly, use Modern Warfare 4's built-in Benchmark Tool instead of assuming that one configuration works equally well for every PC.

As the game receives updates through 2027, repeat your benchmarks after major graphics-driver or game changes to keep your settings optimized for your hardware.