By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 30 September 2026
In brief: Warzone (formerly Warzone II) is free and runs on modest PCs: the recommended setup requires a Core i5-6600K or a Ryzen 5 1400, 12 GB of RAM and a GTX 1060 or an RX 580, with 125 GB of storage. But it’s a competitive game: to aim for 144 to 240 frames per second, you need a fast processor, ideally a Ryzen X3D, and a card such as the RTX 5070 at 1440p. At 1080p, an RTX 5060 Ti or an RX 9060 XT is enough.
Warzone in 2026: what’s changed
Warzone II, released on 16 November 2022, was renamed simply Call of Duty: Warzone in 2023. The free-to-play battle royale has been evolving ever since with every new Call of Duty: it incorporated Black Ops 6 weapons and mechanics, then Black Ops 7, released in November 2025. The legendary Verdansk map returned in April 2025.
What doesn’t change is the principle: up to 150 players drop onto a large map, and the Gulag gives you a second chance. And on PC, it’s a game where every frame per second matters, especially with a high-refresh-rate monitor.
Warzone: a free-to-play battle royale where every frame per second matters.
Official PC setup
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-6100, Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6600K, Core i7-4770 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Graphics card | GeForce GTX 960 or Radeon RX 470 | GeForce GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 580 |
| Storage | 125 GB | 125 GB |
| System | Updated 64-bit Windows 10 | Updated 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 |
Source: Steam page for Call of Duty: Warzone, accessed 30 September 2026. These configurations aim for smooth gameplay, not the high refresh rates of competitive players.
Playing competitively: what really matters
Our builder’s take: the official configuration lets you play, not win. To get the most out of a 144 or 240 Hz monitor, you need to push out a lot of frames per second, and in a 150-player battle royale it’s often the processor that holds you back. The Ryzen X3D models, thanks to their large cache, are the best choices for this kind of game.
On the graphics card side, lower settings that cost a lot of performance without helping you spot the enemy (shadows, effects), and enable DLSS or FSR if needed. To match your monitor properly, read which gaming monitor to choose in 2026, and for Black Ops, our article on Black Ops 6 and its configuration.
In competitive play, it’s often the processor that limits frames per second.
What PC for Warzone in 2026?
| Goal | Recommended graphics card | Recommended processor |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 144 Hz | RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB or RX 9060 XT 16 GB | Ryzen 5 7500X3D or a recent Core i5 |
| 1440p at 144 Hz and beyond | RTX 5070 or RX 9070 XT | Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
| 1440p at 240 Hz | RTX 5070 Ti or better | Ryzen 7 9800X3D |
Our PCs for Warzone
PC Rift: RX 9060 XT 16 GB
Available with a Ryzen 5 7500X3D: Warzone at 1080p high refresh rate.
PC Cheetoh: Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RTX 5070
Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RTX 5070: competitive 1440p, with DLSS 4 and NVIDIA Reflex.
PC Rainbow V2: RTX 5070 Ti
RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB and Ryzen 7 7800X3D or 9800X3D: to target 240 frames per second at 1440p.
FAQ: Warzone on PC
What configuration to play Warzone?
The recommended setup calls for a Core i5-6600K, a Core i7-4770 or a Ryzen 5 1400, 12 GB of RAM, a GTX 1060 or an RX 580, and 125 GB of disk space.
Which processor for Warzone?
A Ryzen X3D, such as the 7800X3D or the 9800X3D, for high frame rates. At 1080p, a Ryzen 5 7500X3D or a recent Core i5 is enough.
Can you play Warzone on a laptop PC?
Yes, an i-game laptop with an RTX 5060 Laptop can run it at 1080p. For competitive high-refresh-rate play, a desktop PC remains more efficient. See why buy a gaming laptop PC.
Does Warzone II still exist?
It was renamed Call of Duty: Warzone in 2023. The free game continues to evolve with the new Call of Duty titles.
How much storage do you need for Warzone?
125 GB according to the Steam page, and an SSD is strongly recommended for faster loading times.
