If you’re wondering whether Call of Duty (CoD) is more demanding on your CPU or GPU, you’re not alone.
Call of Duty is both CPU and GPU intensive, but it often stresses the CPU more—especially in Warzone—causing up to 99% CPU usage during intense gameplay or high frame rates.
In this guide, we’ll break things down in simple terms to help you understand where the real pressure lies. Whether you’re trying to upgrade your PC or just get smoother gameplay, knowing which part of your system CoD leans on the most is a game-changer.
CPU vs GPU: Roles in Gaming
Before examining CoD, let’s clarify what CPUs and GPUs handle:
- CPU (Central Processing Unit): Manages game logic, AI, physics, collision detection, input handling, and important overhead. It excels at sequential, branching tasks, and higher clock speeds and cores improve responsiveness
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Renders visuals—textures, lighting, shadows, post-processing, and high-resolution frames. Built for massive parallelism, modern GPUs have hundreds to thousands of cores, often with dedicated VRAM.
In most games, the GPU is the limiting factor—especially at high resolution/settings. But CPU can throttle performance in AI‑heavy or physics‑heavy scenes, or at low resolutions where it must feed the GPU.
CoD: A Dual-Demand Game
Several benchmarks and articles note that CoD is demanding for both CPU and GPU.
- A 10‑month‑old TechyGPU analysis on Modern Warfare states: “it is both CPU and GPU intensive… CPU handles game physics and AI, while GPU takes care of detailed graphics“.
- Another blog concurs: “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is both CPU and GPU intensive” and emphasizes a balanced system
In short: CoD requires strong single‑threaded performance from the CPU (for AI and game logic) and a powerful GPU for visuals.
Also Read: Is Tarkov CPU Or GPU Intensive – Insight For Gamers!
Real-World Bottlenecks: Usage Data
Looking at user benchmarks paints a clear picture.
On Reddit’s r/buildapc, one user reports:
“I have a slightly older i5‑6500k and a GTX 1070. I’m seeing 100 % CPU usage and almost no GPU usage while playing.”
In this case, the CPU is saturated while the GPU has spare headroom, indicating a CPU bottleneck.
Similarly, the Steam forum recounts:
“I have Intel Core i9‑13900 + GTX 4090… Benchmark shows 140 FPS average, by 99 % CPU usage. GPU usage is accordingly low.”
Even with flagship hardware (RTX 4090 + i9), CoD Max Settings still stress the CPU massively.
These consistent reports show that CoD (especially Warzone/Modern Warfare) often hits the CPU ceiling before maxing out GPUs—especially on high FPS/low settings.
When GPU Becomes the Limit
That said, at higher resolutions (1440p, 4K) and ultra graphics settings:
- The GPU workload grows exponentially—high‑res textures, ray tracing, volumetric effects.
- That pushes GPU usage near 100 %, shifting the bottleneck to GPU.
Innovation like DLSS (NVIDIA) or FSR (AMD) can help, but rendering still requires top-tier GPUs at higher fidelity.
CPU vs GPU: Warzone Bottleneck Guide
A helpful YouTube guide (from 2021) explains how to check whether Warzone is CPU- or GPU-bound via overlay tools.
Summary:
- Open task overlay (MSI Afterburner + RTSS).
- Monitor CPU and GPU usage.
- 100% CPU, ~40–60% GPU → CPU is bottleneck.
- High GPU % near 100% and CPU below 90% → GPU is the limiter.
Common patterns:
- Low resolution (1080p), max settings, 144 Hz+ → CPU bound.
- 1440p/4K, ultra detail → GPU bound.
The key is where performance stalls.
Why CoD Is Often CPU‑Bound
Why does CoD stress the CPU so much?
- AI & Physics: Multiplayer matches, bullet trajectories, ragdoll physics, network updates.
- Multithreading Limits: Modern CPUs help, but branching AI logic doesn’t scale linearly.
- Frame Targeting: At 240 FPS, frames must be prepared faster—unsustainable unless CPU is extremely powerful.
- Poor Optimization: Even top rigs report CPU at 99%, hinting at engine inefficiencies.
Avoiding CPU Bottlenecks
A. Invest in Fast, Recent CPU
- Min. 6‑core/12‑thread (e.g., Intel i5‑12600K or AMD Ryzen 5 7600X).
- Prefer higher single‑core clocks (4.5 GHz+).
- Intel 13th/14th generations had early stability issues; 12th gen remains reliable for many gamers.
B. Overclocking
- Raise CPU clock carefully—monitor temps and stability.
- Boost single-core to improve frame prep.
C. Optimize CoD Config Files
- Tweaks like RendererWorkerCount (reducing worker threads) helped some Steam players balance CPU load.
D. Game Settings Adjustment
- Lower CPU cost settings: shadows, physics detail, crowd count.
- Keep GPU-centric settings (textures, res, ray tracing) high if you have GPU headroom.
E. Background Cleanup
- Close background apps, disable overlays, update drivers and BIOS.
- Ensure Windows power plan is “High Performance” during play.
Read More: Is CS2 GPU Or CPU Intensive – A Complete Guide In 2025!
GPU Considerations
When GPU Matters
If your GPU usage is high (90–100%), improving GPU can raise FPS or allow better visuals.
For Ultra/4K CoD:
- RTX 3070/3080 or AMD RX 6800/6900XT recommended.
- DLSS or FSR helps boost frame rates with visual fidelity kept high.
Article examples:
- TechyGPU recommends balanced GPU‑CPU setup for Modern Warfare play.
- MS.codes states both components are essential.
Finding the Right Balance
Ultimately, COD is best experienced with a well-balanced system. A strong CPU ensures smooth logic handling and responsiveness, while a capable GPU delivers crisp visuals and high frame rates—especially at higher graphical settings.
| Component | Role in COD Gameplay |
| CPU | Controls AI, physics, multiplayer interactions, game logic |
| GPU | Renders visuals, textures, lighting, frame rates |
| Best Outcome | Balanced CPU and GPU to avoid bottlenecks |
Balance is Key
Neither CPU nor GPU alone defines CoD performance—for max results, both must be strong.
- CPUs:
Minimum → quad‑core 3.5 GHz
Recommended → 6+ cores, high frequencies
Premium → 8+ cores (e.g., Ryzen 7, Intel i7) - GPUs:
1080p → GTX 1660 SUPER, RTX 2060
1440p → RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT
4K → RTX 3080+ / RX 6800 XT+ - RAM:
16 GB DDR4 or DDR5, 3200 MHz+.
32 GB if multitasking or streaming. - Storage:
SSD (NVMe preferred) for fast loading.
Optimization Checklist
To ensure optimal CoD performance:
- Profile usage with overlays during gameplay.
- Identify bottleneck (CPU vs GPU).
- If CPU-bound:
- Enable high-performance power plan
- Overclock CPU
- Tune CoD config (RendererWorkerCount)
- Tweak game settings (shadows, particle quality)
- Upgrade CPU (faster cores, more threads)
- If GPU-bound:
- Use DLSS/FSR
- Lower GPU settings (textures, rain, volumetric)
- Upgrade GPU to higher-tier model
- Maintain System Health:
- Update drivers
- Clean cooling, ensure airflow
- Close unnecessary background apps
- Keep system lean for maximum performance
Is COD CPU Or GPU Intensive Warzone
Warzone is mostly CPU-intensive, especially during big battles with many players. The CPU manages player movement, AI, and game logic.
But the GPU also works hard when using high settings or resolutions. A balanced CPU and GPU setup gives smoother performance.
Is Warzone CPU Or GPU Intensive
Warzone relies more on the CPU because it handles massive maps, networking, and real-time game calculations.
However, the GPU becomes important at higher graphics levels like 1440p or 4K. Both parts work together, but CPU power usually decides overall smoothness.
Is Fortnite CPU Or GPU Intensive
Fortnite is more GPU-intensive, as graphics, textures, and effects require strong GPU performance.
The CPU still matters for handling physics and building mechanics, but most players notice better results by upgrading the GPU for higher frame rates and smoother visuals.
MW3 CPU Or GPU Intensive
Modern Warfare 3 is generally CPU-intensive, especially in multiplayer modes where the processor manages many calculations and player interactions.
The GPU is still needed for high graphics, but a strong CPU is the main factor for stable frames and responsive gameplay.
Is BO6 CPU Or GPU Intensive
Black Ops 6 (BO6) is expected to be CPU-intensive, like other COD titles, since it handles AI, physics, and player data.
Yet the GPU carries big weight when enabling advanced graphics. For the best experience, both CPU and GPU matter.
Why Is COD Using More CPU Than GPU
COD often uses more CPU because the game needs constant calculations for physics, enemy AI, and online player actions.
If graphics settings are low, the GPU rests while the CPU keeps working harder. This makes the processor seem overloaded compared to the GPU.
FAQs
1. Why is Warzone not using my GPU and CPU effectively?
Warzone may not use your hardware well due to outdated drivers, wrong game settings, background apps, or system limits. Fixing these can help your GPU and CPU work better.
2. Can you play Warzone without a graphics card?
You can try playing Warzone without a graphics card using integrated graphics, but it will lag badly. A dedicated GPU is needed for smooth, playable performance in Warzone.
3. Should I upgrade my CPU or GPU for Call of Duty Warzone?
If Warzone is stuttering or your CPU usage is 100%, upgrade your CPU. If the graphics are slow or blurry, a better GPU will give you a smoother experience.
4. Is Call of Duty CPU or GPU bound?
Call of Duty often uses both, but it’s usually more CPU bound. The game needs a strong processor to handle AI, movement, and big map data smoothly.
5. Are first-person shooters CPU-intensive?
Yes, most first-person shooters are CPU-intensive because they handle fast player movement, physics, and online action. A good CPU keeps the gameplay fast and responsive.
6. Is COD Modern Warfare CPU or GPU Intensive?
Modern Warfare is both CPU and GPU intensive. The CPU manages game logic and AI, while the GPU handles visuals. You need balance for smooth, high-quality gameplay.
Conclusion
Call of Duty is both CPU- and GPU-intensive. Yet real-world data shows:
- At high frame rates, CoD is often CPU-bound—even on top-tier hardware.
- At high resolution/detail, it becomes GPU-bound.
To fully optimize your CoD experience:
- Profile performance first.
- Match upgrades to the identified bottleneck.
- Tune settings to balance performance and visual quality.
- Maintain a healthy system.
By striking a smart hardware and settings balance, you’ll secure maximum FPS, smooth visuals, and an edge in competitive gameplay.
References & Further Reading
- TechyGPU: “Is COD Modern Warfare CPU or GPU Intensive”
- MS.codes blog: “Call of Duty CPU vs GPU”
- Lifewire: CPU vs GPU fundamentals
- Reddit and Steam user reports on CPU-bound CoD
- YouTube guide on identifying bottlenecks
