Is the iMac M3 good for gaming? FPS in 35 games
The iMac M3 (Apple M3, 8-core GPU) runs 33 of the 35 Mac games we track. 12 go past 60 FPS at 1080p High and 27 stay above 30. On the base 8 GB configuration, 3 of them need more memory.
The iMac uses the same chip as the laptops of its generation, with a built-in 4.5K display that you will want to upscale to for gaming.
Data reviewed October 1, 2026
11
Gaming score (0-100)
- Chip
- Apple M3
- GPU
- 8 cores
- Memory
- 8 / 16 / 24 GB
- Cooling
- Fan
- Year
- 2023
Average gaming performance (2026)
1080p
50FPS
32/100 vs the most powerful Mac
1440p
31FPS
21/100 vs the most powerful Mac
4K
16FPS
13/100 vs the most powerful Mac
At 50 FPS on average at 1080p High, the iMac M3 is a good gaming Mac: demanding games need a setting or two lowered, or MetalFX.
Average on High, no MetalFX, across the games this Mac runs.
MetalFX on the iMac M3
Average of the 10 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.
Native
25FPS
Quality
31FPS
Balanced
37FPS
Performance
42FPS
What FPS does the iMac M3 get in your game?
Games on the iMac M3
EstimateFPS at 1080p High, and the highest setting that holds 60 FPS.
| Game | 1080p High | Verdict | For 60 FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed Shadows | Needs Apple M1 Max | — | — |
| Crimson Desert | Needs Apple M2 Pro | — | — |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 16FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 24FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 23FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Death Stranding Director's Cut | 44FPS | Playable | 1080p Low |
| Hitman World of Assassination | 51FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Lies of P | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Metro Exodus | 39FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| Resident Evil 4 | 33FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Balanced |
| Resident Evil Village | 33FPS | Playable | 1080p Medium + MetalFX Balanced |
| Total War: PHARAOH | 21FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III | 19FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Frostpunk 2 | 47FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| GRID Legends | 60FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| No Man's Sky | 47FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| Resident Evil 2 | 47FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| Resident Evil 3 | 36FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Quality |
| Resident Evil 7 biohazard | 47FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 55FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 39FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| XCOM 2 | 47FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| Cities: Skylines | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Civilization VI | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Civilization VII | 59FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Crusader Kings III | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Final Fantasy XIV | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Myst | 35FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Stellaris | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Stray | 25FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Valheim | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| World of Warcraft | 97FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| World of Warcraft: Forever | 97FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
Calculated with 8 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the iMac M3 was sold with it).
Similar Macs
MacBook Air M3
MacBook Pro M3
MacBook NeoiMac M3 FAQ
Is the iMac M3 good for gaming?
At 50 FPS on average at 1080p High, the iMac M3 is a good gaming Mac: demanding games need a setting or two lowered, or MetalFX.
Which games run at 60 FPS on the iMac M3?
12 of 35 games go past 60 FPS at 1080p High. Among the most demanding: Lies of P (65), GRID Legends (60), Cities: Skylines (68), Civilization VI (68), and Crusader Kings III (68).
Which games do not run on the iMac M3?
Assassin's Creed Shadows and Crimson Desert: they need a stronger chip or more memory.
How much memory should I get on the iMac M3 for gaming?
It ships with 8, 16, 24 GB. For gaming, 24 GB leaves headroom for years; 16 GB is the sensible minimum.