Is the MacBook Pro M1 good for gaming? FPS in 35 games
The MacBook Pro M1 (Apple M1, 8-core GPU) runs 31 of the 35 Mac games we track. 0 go past 60 FPS at 1080p High and 20 stay above 30. On the base 8 GB configuration, 3 of them need more memory.
It has active cooling, so it sustains the chip’s performance for hours with only a small loss versus a desktop Mac.
Data reviewed October 1, 2026
9
Gaming score (0-100)
- Chip
- Apple M1
- GPU
- 8 cores
- Memory
- 8 / 16 GB
- Cooling
- Fan
- Year
- 2020
Average gaming performance (2026)
1080p
36FPS
23/100 vs the most powerful Mac
1440p
22FPS
15/100 vs the most powerful Mac
4K
12FPS
10/100 vs the most powerful Mac
At 36 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M1 games with lower settings: recent AAA titles are tight.
Average on High, no MetalFX, across the games this Mac runs.
MetalFX on the MacBook Pro M1
Average of the 10 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.
Native
18FPS
Quality
23FPS
Balanced
28FPS
Performance
31FPS
What FPS does the MacBook Pro M1 get in your game?
Games on the MacBook Pro M1
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 | 12FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 18FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 17FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Death Stranding Director's Cut | 33FPS | Playable | 1080p Medium + MetalFX Balanced |
| Hitman World of Assassination | 38FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| Lies of P | 49FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| Metro Exodus | 29FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Resident Evil 4 | 25FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Resident Evil Village | 25FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Total War: PHARAOH | 16FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III | 14FPS | Too slow | Not reached |
| Frostpunk 2 | 36FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| GRID Legends | 46FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| No Man's Sky | 36FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Quality |
| Resident Evil 2 | 36FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Quality |
| Resident Evil 3 | 27FPS | Struggles | 1080p Low + MetalFX Performance |
| Resident Evil 7 biohazard | 36FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Quality |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 42FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 30FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| XCOM 2 | 36FPS | Playable | Not reached |
| Cities: Skylines | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Civilization VI | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Civilization VII | 45FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| Crusader Kings III | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Final Fantasy XIV | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Myst | 27FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Stellaris | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Stray | 20FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Valheim | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| World of Warcraft | Needs Apple M2 | — | — |
| World of Warcraft: Forever | Needs Apple M2 | — | — |
Calculated with 8 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the MacBook Pro M1 was sold with it).
Similar Macs
MacBook Air M1
iMac M1
Mac mini M1
MacBook Pro M1 Pro
MacBook Air M2MacBook Pro M1 FAQ
Is the MacBook Pro M1 good for gaming?
At 36 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M1 games with lower settings: recent AAA titles are tight.
Which games run at 60 FPS on the MacBook Pro M1?
No demanding game reaches 60 FPS at 1080p High; some do with MetalFX and Low settings.
Which games do not run on the MacBook Pro M1?
Assassin's Creed Shadows, Crimson Desert, World of Warcraft, and World of Warcraft: Forever: they need a stronger chip or more memory.
How much memory should I get on the MacBook Pro M1 for gaming?
It ships with 8, 16 GB. Pick 16 GB: many current games will not launch with 8 GB.