Is CoD CPU or GPU Intensive? Explained

Anyone who’s strapped into the boots of a soldier in a Call of Duty (COD) game knows the importance of smooth, responsive gameplay. Whether you’re dodging bullets in a fast-paced multiplayer match or taking down enemies in a single-player campaign, a laggy or stuttering experience can ruin the immersion and give your opponents a crucial advantage. But what hardware is most crucial for achieving that buttery-smooth performance? Is Call of Duty CPU or GPU intensive?

The answer, like most things in PC gaming, isn’t a simple one. Both your Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) play vital roles in running COD, but understanding their different functions will help you prioritize your hardware upgrades or purchases for optimal performance.

What Do the CPU & GPU Do

Before diving into COD’s specific needs, let’s establish a clear picture of what CPUs and GPUs do.

CPU

Think of your CPU as the brain of your computer. It’s responsible for handling all the game’s calculations, including:

Game logic: This encompasses everything from enemy AI behavior to bullet physics and even how your character interacts with the environment.

Physics simulations: From explosions and smoke effects to the way grenades bounce, the CPU calculates the physics behind these in-game occurrences.

Player input: Every time you press a key or move your mouse, the CPU interprets those signals and translates them into actions within the game.

Networking: In multiplayer modes, the CPU handles the networking tasks, ensuring smooth communication between players and servers.

GPU

The GPU, on the other hand, is the artist responsible for painting the world you see on your screen. Its primary function is to render graphics, translating raw data from the CPU into the beautiful textures, lighting effects, and animations that make COD so visually stunning. Here’s a breakdown of the GPU’s key tasks:

Rendering graphics: From intricate weapon details to vast landscapes, the GPU takes care of drawing everything you see in the game.

Texture processing: Textures are essentially like detailed skins applied to 3D models, and the GPU handles apply these textures for realistic visuals.

Maintaining frame rates: Frame rate refers to the number of images your graphics card can display per second. A higher frame rate translates to smoother, more responsive gameplay.

Post-processing effects: Techniques like anti-aliasing, ambient occlusion, and depth of field are handled by the GPU to enhance visual quality.

Why Call of Duty Leans More Towards the CPU?

Now that we understand their roles, let’s explore why Call of Duty is generally considered more CPU-intensive. Here’s what puts a strain on your central processor:

1. Physics and Motion

COD maps are often sprawling environments filled with destructible objects, complex AI behavior, and intricate physics simulations. All these elements require the CPU to perform a multitude of calculations constantly. For example, in the popular “Shipment” map from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the CPU needs to handle the physics of numerous explosions, flying debris, and player movements simultaneously.

2. Intense Multiplayer Battles

Multiplayer modes in COD can host dozens of players simultaneously, making for chaotic battlefields. This translates to a significant increase in the number of calculations the CPU needs to handle, from tracking player movement to managing AI for enemies and teammates. In a 64-player Ground War match in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the CPU has to keep track of each player’s position, actions, and interactions with the environment, all while managing the AI behavior of computer-controlled soldiers.

3. AI Dependence

AI plays a major role in COD, with enemies exhibiting intelligent behavior that requires complex calculations on the CPU’s part. This becomes even more demanding in modes with large numbers of AI-controlled enemies, such as the special ops missions in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

What GPU Does in CoD Then?

While the CPU shoulders a heavy burden in COD, the GPU is still vital for a smooth experience. Here’s what your graphics card is responsible for:

1. It Creates the Visuals

COD is known for its stunning visuals, from detailed character models and environments to realistic lighting effects. The GPU is responsible for rendering all this visual splendor, and higher resolutions and graphics settings demand more processing power. For example, enabling ray-traced shadows and ambient occlusion in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare significantly increases the workload on the GPU.

2. It Maintains Frame Rates 

Even with a powerful CPU, if your GPU can’t keep up with the number of frames being generated, you’ll experience stuttering and lag. This is why a good balance between CPU and GPU is crucial for achieving consistently high frame rates. In fast-paced multiplayer modes like Shipment 24/7 in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, maintaining high frame rates is essential for tracking enemy movements and reacting quickly.

How to Optimize Your Setup for Peak CoD Performance?

Now that you understand the roles of CPU and GPU in COD, here are some practical tips to optimize your setup:

1. Prioritize a Strong CPU for Competitive Play

If you’re serious about competitive multiplayer, where smooth gameplay and fast reaction times are paramount, consider prioritizing a powerful CPU. This will ensure your system can handle the complex calculations involved in fast-paced matches. For example, a high-end CPU like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or Intel Core i9-11900K can provide a significant advantage in Call of Duty: Warzone’s intense battle royale matches.

2. Balance is Key

For a well-rounded experience, striking a balance between CPU and GPU is ideal. Aim for a CPU that can keep up with the demands of the game and a GPU that can render visuals at your desired resolution and graphics settings. A balanced setup like an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X paired with an NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti or an Intel Core i5-11600K with an AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT can deliver excellent performance in most Call of Duty titles.

3. Check Minimum and Recommended System Requirements

Every COD title has a specific minimum and recommended system requirements. These provide a good starting point for understanding the hardware needed to run the game smoothly. For example, the minimum CPU requirement for Call of Duty: Vanguard is an Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X, while the recommended CPU is an Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 1800X.

4. Consider Your Budget

Upgrading your PC can be expensive, so determine your budget and prioritize accordingly. If funds are tight, a modest upgrade to your CPU might offer the most significant performance boost in COD.

5. Monitor Your Performance

Tools like MSI Afterburner, Nvidia GeForce Experience, or AMD Radeon Software can help you monitor CPU and GPU usage while playing. This allows you to identify bottlenecks and see which component is under the most strain.

6. Adjust In-Game Settings

Many graphics settings in COD can significantly impact CPU and GPU usage. Experiment with lowering settings like shadows, anti-aliasing, and texture quality to find a balance between visual fidelity and performance. For example, in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, disabling ray-traced shadows can significantly reduce the load on the GPU, allowing for higher frame rates.

FAQ

Is there a way to tell if my CPU or GPU is bottlenecking my performance?

Tools like MSI Afterburner, Nvidia GeForce Experience, or AMD Radeon Software can help monitor CPU and GPU usage. If one component is consistently maxed out while the other remains underutilized, it might be bottlenecking your performance. For example, if your GPU usage is consistently high while your CPU usage remains low, it could indicate that your GPU is the bottleneck, and vice versa.

Should I upgrade my CPU or GPU first for better COD performance?

This depends on your current setup and how much of a performance boost you’re looking for. If you experience stuttering and lag, especially in CPU-intensive situations like large multiplayer battles or scenarios with heavy AI presence, a CPU upgrade might be most beneficial. However, if you’re primarily concerned with improving visual fidelity, achieving higher frame rates at higher resolutions, or enabling advanced graphics features like ray tracing, a GPU upgrade might be the better choice.

What are some good resources for finding recommended hardware for COD?

Several websites offer PC hardware recommendations and benchmarks for specific games, including Call of Duty titles. These sites often benchmark different CPUs and GPUs running COD at various settings, providing valuable insights for informed upgrade decisions. Some popular resources include:

• Game-specific subreddits and forums
• Hardware review sites (e.g., Tom’s Hardware, AnandTech)
• YouTube channels focused on PC hardware and gaming performance

Additionally, many hardware manufacturers provide game-specific optimization guides and recommendations for their products.