Is the MacBook Pro M5 Max good for gaming? FPS in 35 games
The MacBook Pro M5 Max (Apple M5 Max, 32-core GPU) runs 35 of the 35 Mac games we track. 34 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
53
Gaming score (0-100)
- Chip
- Apple M5 Max
- GPU
- 32 cores
- Memory
- 36 / 48 / 64 / 128 GB
- Cooling
- Fan
- Year
- 2026
Average gaming performance (2026)
1080p
146FPS
93/100 vs the most powerful Mac
1440p
127FPS
85/100 vs the most powerful Mac
4K
82FPS
67/100 vs the most powerful Mac
At 146 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M5 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 M5 Max
Average of the 12 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.
Native
102FPS
Quality
114FPS
Balanced
122FPS
Performance
126FPS
What FPS does the MacBook Pro M5 Max get in your game?
Games on the MacBook Pro M5 Max
EstimateFPS at 1080p High, and the highest setting that holds 60 FPS.
| Game | 1080p High | Verdict | For 60 FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed Shadows | 52FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Crimson Desert | 78FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 86FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 117FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 115FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Death Stranding Director's Cut | 140FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Hitman World of Assassination | 142FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Lies of P | 143FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Metro Exodus | 138FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 4 | 134FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil Village | 134FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Total War: PHARAOH | 108FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III | 101FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| Frostpunk 2 | 155FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| GRID Legends | 158FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| No Man's Sky | 155FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 2 | 155FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 3 | 147FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 7 biohazard | 155FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 157FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 150FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| XCOM 2 | 155FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Cities: Skylines | 178FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Civilization VI | 178FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Civilization VII | 176FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Crusader Kings III | 178FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 178FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Final Fantasy XIV | 178FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Myst | 156FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | 178FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Stellaris | 178FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Stray | 129FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Valheim | 178FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| World of Warcraft | 179FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| World of Warcraft: Forever | 179FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
Calculated with 36 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the MacBook Pro M5 Max was sold with it).
Compare it with
Similar Macs
Mac Studio M5 Max
Mac mini M5 Pro
MacBook Air M5MacBook Pro M5 Max FAQ
Is the MacBook Pro M5 Max good for gaming?
At 146 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M5 Max plays almost everything comfortably and holds 1440p in most titles.
Which games run at 60 FPS on the MacBook Pro M5 Max?
34 of 35 games go past 60 FPS at 1080p High. Among the most demanding: Crimson Desert (78), Cyberpunk 2077 (86), Baldur's Gate 3 (117), Control Ultimate Edition (115), and Death Stranding Director's Cut (140).
Which games do not run on the MacBook Pro M5 Max?
All 35 games we track run on the MacBook Pro M5 Max.
How much memory should I get on the MacBook Pro M5 Max for gaming?
It ships with 36, 48, 64, 128 GB. For gaming, 24 GB leaves headroom for years; 16 GB is the sensible minimum.