Before installing the Forever beta, check both your account access and your graphics hardware. Blizzard's September 17 GPU guidance describes an architectural compatibility requirement introduced by the game's visual updates. A card that meets that cutoff can still fall below the full minimum specifications.

Compatibility and minimum requirements are different

The compatibility check asks whether a graphics processor supports a feature the client requires. Blizzard says the Forever visual update needs RGBA16F UAV support in compute shaders. That technical boundary is separate from the speed, memory and other requirements needed to run the game well.

The named compatible cards below are examples of the architectural floor, not hardware recommendations. Blizzard explicitly places those examples below the full minimum requirements. Use the complete requirements linked from the official GPU article when assessing a machine; this table alone cannot establish a frame rate or a suitable graphics setting.

Sources[1] Blizzard Entertainment

Inspect 2 claim records
hardware · gpu compatibility reason

Claim · gpuCompatibilityReasonForever's visual changes require RGBA16F UAV support in compute shaders.

AnnouncedConfidence: highLast verified:

Editor note: This architectural feature establishes compatibility, not a performance target.

hardware · gpu compatible examples

Claim · gpuCompatibleExamplesAMD Radeon HD 7850, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 9xx series and GTX 750 / 750 Ti, Intel HD Graphics 530

AnnouncedConfidence: highLast verified:

Editor note: Blizzard explicitly says these compatible examples remain below the full minimum requirements.

Blizzard's architecture cutoff

These examples are reproduced as hardware names for identification. The cutoff applies to architecture, so a larger model number is not by itself proof of support.

VendorRequired architectureCompatible examples, below full minimumsExamples Blizzard lists as incompatible
AMDGCN1 (2012) or newerRadeon HD 7850Radeon HD 6950
NVIDIAMaxwell (2014) or newerGeForce GTX 9xx; GTX 750 and 750 TiGeForce GTX 760, 770 and 780; GTX 8xxM
IntelSkylake (2015) or newerHD Graphics 530HD Graphics 6000

Sources[1] Blizzard Entertainment

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hardware · gpu compatibility floor

Claim · gpuCompatibilityFloorAMD GCN1 or newer, NVIDIA Maxwell or newer, Intel Skylake or newer

AnnouncedConfidence: highLast verified:

Editor note: Compatibility examples are below the full minimum requirements and are not performance recommendations.

hardware · gpu architecture years

Claim · gpuArchitectureYearsAMD GCN1, introduced in 2012, or newer, NVIDIA Maxwell, introduced in 2014, or newer, Intel Skylake, introduced in 2015, or newer

AnnouncedConfidence: highLast verified:
hardware · gpu compatible examples

Claim · gpuCompatibleExamplesAMD Radeon HD 7850, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 9xx series and GTX 750 / 750 Ti, Intel HD Graphics 530

AnnouncedConfidence: highLast verified:

Editor note: Blizzard explicitly says these compatible examples remain below the full minimum requirements.

hardware · gpu unsupported examples

Claim · gpuUnsupportedExamplesAMD Radeon HD 6950, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 / 770 / 780 and GTX 8xxM series, Intel HD Graphics 6000

AnnouncedConfidence: highLast verified:

Check your GPU and install the right client

  1. On Windows, open Settings → System → Display → Advanced display, or Device Manager → Display adapters, to identify the graphics hardware.
  2. Compare the model and architecture with Blizzard's compatibility guidance, then consult the full minimum specifications linked there.
  3. Update the graphics driver and the Battle.net desktop app before installing the beta.
  4. In Battle.net, select World of Warcraft. Open Game Version above Play, then choose World of Warcraft: Forever Beta under In Development.
  5. Select Install. Once it is ready, select Play, choose an available test realm and create a test character.

Sources[1] Blizzard Entertainment[2] Blizzard Entertainment

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hardware · gpu check windows

Claim · gpuCheckWindowsSettings > System > Display > Advanced display, Device Manager > Display adapters

AnnouncedConfidence: highLast verified:
Forever · beta installation

Claim · betaInstallationUpdate graphics drivers and the Battle.net desktop app, Select World of Warcraft: Forever Beta under In Development in the World of Warcraft Game Version menu, Install, select an available test realm and create a test character

BetaConfidence: highLast verified:

If the beta version is missing

First check that the Battle.net account has access. Selected opt-in players receive invitations, while the Skyborne Epic Pack and Warcraft Forever Collection include beta access. Blizzard notes that an eligible purchase can take up to 30 minutes to flag the account and that restarting the desktop app may be needed.

An invited account can be checked for a Forever beta license under Your Game Accounts on Battle.net. A Friend Launch Code for November does not substitute for a beta invitation; the full access guide explains the separate routes.

Sources[2] Blizzard Entertainment[3] Blizzard Entertainment

Inspect 3 claim records
Forever · beta access routes

Claim · betaAccessRoutesSelected players who opted in receive invitations during testing, Skyborne Epic Pack and Warcraft Forever Collection include beta access

BetaConfidence: highLast verified:
Forever · beta access activation

Claim · betaAccessActivationEligible purchases can take up to 30 minutes to flag an account; restarting Battle.net may be necessary. An invited account can be checked for a Forever beta license in Your Game Accounts.

BetaConfidence: highLast verified:
Forever · friend code eligibility

Claim · friendCodeEligibilityEligible friends can use a Friend Launch Code to play during November 4–11 without their own subscription or game time. Codes do not include beta access, and gift purchases are excluded from the code offer.

AnnouncedConfidence: highLast verified:

Editor note: Other eligibility restrictions apply; this is not a complete reproduction of the offer terms.

Account access and testing scope

Read the complete beta opening guide