Is the MacBook Pro M1 Max good for gaming? FPS in 35 games
The MacBook Pro M1 Max (Apple M1 Max, 24-core GPU) runs 32 of the 35 Mac games we track. 28 go past 60 FPS at 1080p High and 31 stay above 30.
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
27
Gaming score (0-100)
- Chip
- Apple M1 Max
- GPU
- 24 cores
- Memory
- 32 / 64 GB
- Cooling
- Fan
- Year
- 2021
Average gaming performance (2026)
1080p
106FPS
68/100 vs the most powerful Mac
1440p
72FPS
48/100 vs the most powerful Mac
4K
38FPS
31/100 vs the most powerful Mac
At 106 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M1 Max plays almost everything comfortably and holds 1440p in most titles.
Average on High, no MetalFX, across the games this Mac runs.
MetalFX on the MacBook Pro M1 Max
Average of the 11 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.
Native
59FPS
Quality
71FPS
Balanced
84FPS
Performance
92FPS
What FPS does the MacBook Pro M1 Max get in your game?
Games on the MacBook Pro M1 Max
EstimateFPS at 1080p High, and the highest setting that holds 60 FPS.
| Game | 1080p High | Verdict | For 60 FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed Shadows | 25FPS | Struggles | Not reached |
| Crimson Desert | Needs Apple M2 Pro | — | — |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 43FPS | Playable | 1080p Low |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 62FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 60FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Death Stranding Director's Cut | 107FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Hitman World of Assassination | 117FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Lies of P | 131FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Metro Exodus | 97FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| Resident Evil 4 | 84FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Resident Evil Village | 84FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Total War: PHARAOH | 55FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III | 50FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Frostpunk 2 | 114FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| GRID Legends | 133FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| No Man's Sky | 114FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 2 | 114FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 3 | 91FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Resident Evil 7 biohazard | 114FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 126FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 98FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| XCOM 2 | 114FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Cities: Skylines | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Civilization VI | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Civilization VII | 136FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Crusader Kings III | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Final Fantasy XIV | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Myst | 88FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Stellaris | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Stray | 64FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Valheim | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| World of Warcraft | Needs Apple M2 | — | — |
| World of Warcraft: Forever | Needs Apple M2 | — | — |
Calculated with 32 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the MacBook Pro M1 Max was sold with it).
Similar Macs
Mac Studio M1 Max
MacBook Pro M1
MacBook Air M1MacBook Pro M1 Max FAQ
Is the MacBook Pro M1 Max good for gaming?
At 106 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M1 Max plays almost everything comfortably and holds 1440p in most titles.
Which games run at 60 FPS on the MacBook Pro M1 Max?
28 of 35 games go past 60 FPS at 1080p High. Among the most demanding: Baldur's Gate 3 (62), Control Ultimate Edition (60), Death Stranding Director's Cut (107), Hitman World of Assassination (117), and Lies of P (131).
Which games do not run on the MacBook Pro M1 Max?
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 Max for gaming?
It ships with 32, 64 GB. For gaming, 24 GB leaves headroom for years; 16 GB is the sensible minimum.