Is the MacBook Pro M3 Max good for gaming? FPS in 35 games
The MacBook Pro M3 Max (Apple M3 Max, 30-core GPU) runs 35 of the 35 Mac games we track. 32 go past 60 FPS at 1080p High and 35 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
34
Gaming score (0-100)
- Chip
- Apple M3 Max
- GPU
- 30 cores
- Memory
- 36 / 48 / 64 / 96 / 128 GB
- Cooling
- Fan
- Year
- 2023
Average gaming performance (2026)
1080p
126FPS
80/100 vs the most powerful Mac
1440p
94FPS
63/100 vs the most powerful Mac
4K
52FPS
42/100 vs the most powerful Mac
At 126 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M3 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 M3 Max
Average of the 12 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.
Native
71FPS
Quality
85FPS
Balanced
97FPS
Performance
104FPS
What FPS does the MacBook Pro M3 Max get in your game?
Games on the MacBook Pro M3 Max
EstimateFPS at 1080p High, and the highest setting that holds 60 FPS.
| Game | 1080p High | Verdict | For 60 FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed Shadows | 32FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Balanced |
| Crimson Desert | 50FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 56FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 80FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 78FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Death Stranding Director's Cut | 125FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Hitman World of Assassination | 132FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Lies of P | 139FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Metro Exodus | 117FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 4 | 105FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| Resident Evil Village | 105FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| Total War: PHARAOH | 71FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III | 66FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Frostpunk 2 | 135FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| GRID Legends | 148FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| No Man's Sky | 135FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 2 | 135FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 3 | 114FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 7 biohazard | 135FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 144FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 121FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| XCOM 2 | 135FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Cities: Skylines | 166FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Civilization VI | 166FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Civilization VII | 158FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Crusader Kings III | 166FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 166FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Final Fantasy XIV | 166FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Myst | 113FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | 166FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Stellaris | 166FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Stray | 84FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Valheim | 166FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| World of Warcraft | 176FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| World of Warcraft: Forever | 176FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
Calculated with 36 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the MacBook Pro M3 Max was sold with it).
Similar Macs
Mac Studio M3 Ultra
MacBook Air M3MacBook Pro M3 Max FAQ
Is the MacBook Pro M3 Max good for gaming?
At 126 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M3 Max plays almost everything comfortably and holds 1440p in most titles.
Which games run at 60 FPS on the MacBook Pro M3 Max?
32 of 35 games go past 60 FPS at 1080p High. Among the most demanding: Baldur's Gate 3 (80), Control Ultimate Edition (78), Death Stranding Director's Cut (125), Hitman World of Assassination (132), and Lies of P (139).
Which games do not run on the MacBook Pro M3 Max?
All 35 games we track run on the MacBook Pro M3 Max.
How much memory should I get on the MacBook Pro M3 Max for gaming?
It ships with 36, 48, 64, 96, 128 GB. For gaming, 24 GB leaves headroom for years; 16 GB is the sensible minimum.