How Long Does it Take to Download Call of Duty?
The simple answer is: it varies significantly. There’s no single download time for Call of Duty (CoD) games due to a multitude of factors including your internet speed, the specific CoD title you’re downloading, the server location, and even other devices using your network. However, we can break down the different aspects that affect download times and give you a better idea of what to expect. Essentially, download times can range from as little as 30 minutes to over 12 hours, or even longer in extreme cases.
Understanding the Factors Affecting Download Time
Several key components determine how long it takes to download a Call of Duty game:
Internet Connection Speed
This is arguably the most critical factor. Your internet speed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or megabytes per second (MB/s), directly affects how quickly data can transfer to your device. A faster connection means quicker downloads. For example, an internet connection with a download speed of 10 MB/s will take significantly longer to download a game than a connection with a download speed of 100 MB/s. Here’s a crucial distinction: the advertised internet speed by your provider is typically in megabits (Mbps), while downloads are usually measured in megabytes (MB/s). Remember that 8 Mbps equals approximately 1 MB/s. Therefore, converting between these units can provide a clearer picture of your download capabilities.
Game File Size
Call of Duty games are notorious for their large file sizes, a characteristic that has steadily increased over the years. Older titles may be smaller, but newer entries often range from 50 GB to over 200 GB. The larger the file size, the longer it will naturally take to download. For instance, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is around 49 GB, while the total install for Modern Warfare 3 can be a staggering 234.9 GB. This massive difference in size will understandably result in significantly different download times.
Server Location
Your physical proximity to the game’s update servers matters. If you are located far away from these servers, it takes longer for the data to travel, resulting in slower download speeds. This is because your download speed is dependent on the distance and number of ‘hops’ the data makes on its journey to your device.
Network Congestion
Your home network can also become congested with multiple devices using the internet concurrently. Downloading a large game like Call of Duty takes up a lot of bandwidth. If other devices like phones, tablets, or other consoles are also downloading or streaming content at the same time, your console’s download speed may be negatively affected. Try pausing other network activities to see if it improves your download time.
Hardware Capabilities
While not as critical as internet speed, the performance of your device can also play a minor role in download speed. Having an older machine can limit your download performance.
Background Applications
Running other background apps and games during a download can also significantly slow the process down, as these programs compete for your device’s resources. Close unnecessary applications while downloading to maximize the available resources for the download itself.
Estimating Download Time
Given all these factors, it’s hard to provide an exact time estimate. However, let’s look at a few examples:
- 49 GB Game (e.g., Advanced Warfare):
- 10 MB/s download speed: Around 11 hours
- 30 MB/s download speed: Around 3 hours
- 43 GB Game (e.g., Black Ops III):
- 10 MB/s download speed: Around 10 hours
- 151.4 GB Base Download (e.g., Modern Warfare II):
- 50MB/s download speed: Around 42 minutes
- 20 MB/s download speed: Around 2 hours 7 minutes
For larger installations such as Modern Warfare 3 (234.9 GB), these download times can stretch significantly. Using a similar calculation, a download speed of 50 MB/s would still result in a download time of almost an hour and a half.
Tips to Speed Up Your Downloads
Here are some actionable steps you can take to try and improve your download speeds:
- Use a Wired Connection: A wired Ethernet connection is more stable and reliable than Wi-Fi, potentially providing a faster download speed. Wireless connections are prone to interference and fluctuations in bandwidth.
- Pause Background Activities: Close any programs or apps running on your computer or console that might be using your bandwidth.
- Limit Network Usage: Pause other downloads, streams, or any bandwidth-heavy activities on other devices on your network.
- Restart Your Router: Sometimes, a simple restart of your router can resolve temporary network issues.
- Move Closer to Your Router: If you must use Wi-Fi, try moving your device closer to your router for a better connection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further help you understand the ins and outs of downloading Call of Duty:
1. Why is my CoD download so slow?
Slow downloads can be caused by several factors, including a slow internet connection, the distance from the server, background applications, and network congestion. Check these aspects to identify the issue.
2. What is a good download speed for Call of Duty?
A good download speed depends on your expectations and the number of devices using your internet. Generally, anything in the range of 100-200 Mbps is good and sufficient for most. However, for larger households or those who frequently engage in simultaneous gaming, 500 Mbps or higher may be necessary.
3. Why is Modern Warfare 2 download so slow?
Similar to other CoD titles, the MW2 download can be slow because of its large file size (151.4 GB base), numerous background applications, or issues with your internet connection and server distance.
4. How big is the Call of Duty install now?
The install size has been growing with each new title. Modern games like Modern Warfare 3 can require around 234.9 GB of space on your hard drive. The initial download may not be this large, but with add-ons, multiplayer packs and subsequent updates it increases significantly.
5. How big was Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War?
Black Ops Cold War was also a large download, requiring around 175 GB of storage space. It highlights the trend towards larger file sizes for newer Call of Duty titles.
6. Is 500 Mbps good for gaming?
Yes, 500 Mbps is generally excellent for gaming. It provides ample bandwidth for downloading games, playing online, and ensures a smooth and responsive gaming experience with minimal lag, as long as latency is also low.
7. How long does a COD campaign last?
Typically, a Call of Duty campaign lasts around 8-10 hours, depending on your skill level and how much of the game you want to explore.
8. Why does CoD install take up so much space?
Modern games have high quality assets, detailed graphics, large maps, high resolution textures, and significant sound design; all of which contribute to the large file sizes.
9. Why is my game lagging even with a good internet connection?
Lag is typically caused by high ping, which means there is a delay in data transmission between your device and the game server. Low latency is equally crucial for a seamless gaming experience. A fast internet connection does not automatically result in a low ping.
10. How big of a download will MW2 be?
The base download for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is 151.4 GB, with additional packs adding a few more GB.
11. Is 120 Mbps a good download speed?
Yes, 120 Mbps is a good download speed for single or small households. This speed is adequate for browsing, streaming, gaming and most everyday activities.
12. Why does CoD take so long to download on Xbox One?
Network contention and conflicts on your home network with other devices can cause slow download speeds on your Xbox One. Ensure only one device is downloading.
13. Can wireless connections make a game slow?
Yes, wireless connections can be irregular in terms of bandwidth and frequency which directly affects game latency causing lag. Wired connections are usually recommended for online gaming.
14. Can background apps slow down the download speed?
Yes, background apps consume bandwidth and device resources which directly affects your download speed. Close unnecessary programs to help maximize your downloads.
15. How do I calculate download time?
To calculate the download time: divide the file size in megabytes by your download speed in megabytes per second. For example, a 50 GB file would be equal to approximately 50,000 MB. Dividing this by a 50 MB/s download speed means the download will take roughly 1,000 seconds (16 minutes 40 seconds) but this calculation is just an estimate.
Understanding these factors and implementing some of the tips above can help you better anticipate and optimize your download times for Call of Duty games. Remember that patience can be required, especially when downloading newer and larger titles.