Let Modern Warfare finish shader preloading, then measure CPU use and frame time in the same match or training scene. Set a frame-rate cap the CPU can sustain, close confirmed background conflicts, and repair the game files. High CPU percentage alone is not a fault; the useful success check is steadier frame time without thermal throttling or input stalls.
Launch Modern Warfare and remain on the main menu until shader preloading completes. Activision says leaving the menu before this process finishes can cause performance problems, so do not measure CPU use while it is still running.
2
Measure the problem in one repeatable scene
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Task Manager > Processes, and note Modern Warfare's CPU use while reproducing the issue in the same training area or match type. Also enable available frame-rate and frame-time telemetry in the game's Interface settings. Record stutters and temperatures, not only the CPU percentage.
3
Cap work the CPU cannot sustain
Open Modern Warfare Settings > Graphics > Display and lower the gameplay frame-rate limit to a value the PC can hold in the test scene. Retest the same route. Keep the cap only if frame-time spikes and input stalls decrease.
4
Run one clean background-app comparison
Close overlays, recorders, browsers playing media, hardware-monitoring utilities, and other nonessential apps, then repeat the test. Activision lists NZXT CAM, MSI Afterburner, and Razer Cortex among possible conflicts. Do not end unfamiliar Windows processes or set the game to High or Realtime priority.
5
Repair the game and verify the driver
In Battle.net choose the cog beside Play > Scan and Repair, or in Steam open Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files. After repair, install the graphics driver version Activision currently recommends if yours is older, then let shader preloading finish again.
6
Confirm a stable result
Repeat the same scene twice. The result passes when frame time is steadier, input remains responsive, and CPU temperature does not force clock speed down. A high percentage that produces stable play on a supported CPU does not need further tuning.
If it does not work
If CPU use is high only while shaders are compiling, wait for preloading to finish and test again.
If the frame-rate cap fixes stutter, raise it in small increments until you find the highest value the CPU can hold consistently.
If one background app causes the spike, update or leave that app closed during play instead of disabling unrelated startup services.
If the CPU overheats or clocks fall under load, stop the test and correct the PC's cooling or power problem; an in-game preset cannot fix thermal throttling.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Source-checked against Activision's current PC guidance. CPU improvement was not benchmarked because hardware, cooling, and the current build determine the result.
