MacBook Air M5 vs MacBook Pro M5 Max: which is better for gaming?
Compared across 35 Mac games · High preset · no MetalFX
In short
The MacBook Pro M5 Max (Apple M5 Max) is 102% faster on average than the MacBook Air M5 (Apple M5): 151 vs 75 FPS at 1080p High across the games both can run. It clears 60 FPS in 34 games versus 22.
It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M5 Max plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M5 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
22 games at 60+ FPS · wins 0 of 35
34 games at 60+ FPS · wins 35 of 35
Average FPS by resolution
| Resolution | MacBook Air M5 | MacBook Pro M5 Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 75FPS | 151FPS | +101 % |
| 1440p | 48FPS | 132FPS | +175 % |
| 4K | 25FPS | 86FPS | +244 % |
Which one for your resolution?
- 1080p: MacBook Pro M5 Max, at 151 FPS on average, smooth.
- 1440p: MacBook Pro M5 Max, at 132 FPS on average, smooth.
- 4K: MacBook Pro M5 Max, at 86 FPS on average, smooth.
Specifications
| MacBook Air M5 | MacBook Pro M5 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M5 | Apple M5 Max |
| Generation | M5 | M5 |
| GPU cores | 8 / 10 | 32 / 40 |
| Geekbench Metal | 65,377 | 195,368 |
| Unified memory | 16 / 24 / 32 GB | 36 / 48 / 64 / 128 GB |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fan |
| Gaming score | 18/100 | 53/100 |
| Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Game performance
Estimate1080p · High
The MacGameFPS verdict
Calibrated on real Mac benchmarks, not spec sheets
Verdict
The MacBook Pro M5 Max wins in 35 of 35 games. It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M5 Max plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M5 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
FAQ
Which is better for gaming, the MacBook Air M5 or the MacBook Pro M5 Max?
The MacBook Pro M5 Max: it wins in 35 of 35 games and is 102% faster on average at 1080p High.
Is upgrading from the MacBook Air M5 to the MacBook Pro M5 Max worth it for gaming?
It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M5 Max plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M5 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
How big is the FPS gap in Cyberpunk 2077?
At 1080p High, the MacBook Air M5 gets about 21 FPS and the MacBook Pro M5 Max about 86 FPS.
Which one for 1440p or 4K gaming?
At 1440p the average is 48 vs 132 FPS, and at 4K 25 vs 86 FPS (MacBook Air M5 vs MacBook Pro M5 Max).
How much memory should I get?
For gaming, 16 GB is the sensible minimum and 24 GB leaves headroom. The MacBook Air M5 ships with 16, 24, 32 GB and the MacBook Pro M5 Max with 36, 48, 64, 128 GB.
