Is the MacBook Air M3 good for gaming? FPS in 35 games
The MacBook Air M3 (Apple M3, 8-core GPU) runs 33 of the 35 Mac games we track. 10 go past 60 FPS at 1080p High and 25 stay above 30. On the base 8 GB configuration, 3 of them need more memory.
It is a fanless laptop: it matches its same-chip siblings for a few minutes, but in long sessions of demanding games it lowers clocks to stay cool. Our figures already account for that loss.
Data reviewed October 1, 2026
11
Gaming score (0-100)
- Chip
- Apple M3
- GPU
- 8 cores
- Memory
- 8 / 16 / 24 GB
- Cooling
- Passive (fanless)
- Year
- 2024
Average gaming performance (2026)
1080p
46FPS
29/100 vs the most powerful Mac
1440p
29FPS
19/100 vs the most powerful Mac
4K
15FPS
12/100 vs the most powerful Mac
At 46 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Air M3 games with lower settings: recent AAA titles are tight.
Average on High, no MetalFX, across the games this Mac runs.
MetalFX on the MacBook Air M3
Average of the 10 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.
Native
21FPS
Quality
27FPS
Balanced
32FPS
Performance
36FPS
What FPS does the MacBook Air M3 get in your game?
Games on the MacBook Air 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 | 13FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 20FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 20FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Death Stranding Director's Cut | 38FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Quality |
| Hitman World of Assassination | 43FPS | Playable | 1080p Low |
| Lies of P | 56FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Metro Exodus | 33FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| Resident Evil 4 | 28FPS | Struggles | 1080p Low + MetalFX Performance |
| Resident Evil Village | 28FPS | Struggles | 1080p Low + MetalFX Performance |
| Total War: PHARAOH | 18FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III | 16FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Frostpunk 2 | 42FPS | Playable | 1080p Low |
| GRID Legends | 54FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| No Man's Sky | 42FPS | Playable | 1080p Low |
| Resident Evil 2 | 42FPS | Playable | 1080p Low |
| Resident Evil 3 | 32FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Balanced |
| Resident Evil 7 biohazard | 42FPS | Playable | 1080p Low |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 50FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 35FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| XCOM 2 | 42FPS | Playable | 1080p Low |
| Cities: Skylines | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Civilization VI | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Civilization VII | 56FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Crusader Kings III | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Final Fantasy XIV | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Myst | 33FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Stellaris | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Stray | 24FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Valheim | 65FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| World of Warcraft | 93FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| World of Warcraft: Forever | 93FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
Calculated with 8 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the MacBook Air M3 was sold with it).
Compare it with
Similar Macs
MacBook Pro M3
iMac M3
MacBook NeoMacBook Air M3 FAQ
Is the MacBook Air M3 good for gaming?
At 46 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Air M3 games with lower settings: recent AAA titles are tight.
Which games run at 60 FPS on the MacBook Air M3?
10 of 35 games go past 60 FPS at 1080p High. Among the most demanding: Cities: Skylines (65), Civilization VI (65), Crusader Kings III (65), Divinity: Original Sin 2 (65), and Final Fantasy XIV (65).
Which games do not run on the MacBook Air M3?
Assassin's Creed Shadows and Crimson Desert: they need a stronger chip or more memory.
How much memory should I get on the MacBook Air M3 for gaming?
It ships with 8, 16, 24 GB. For gaming, 24 GB leaves headroom for years; 16 GB is the sensible minimum.
Does the MacBook Air M3 throttle while gaming?
It has no fan: in long sessions of demanding games it lowers clocks and loses up to 20% of sustained performance. Our figures already account for it.