Benchmarks of the Apple MacBook Pro M5 Max show that it is now a viable option for PC gaming – provided your preferred titles can run on macOS, CrossOver, or Parallels.
According to gaming benchmark data provided by Notebookcheck, the MacBook Pro M5 Max delivers gaming performance comparable to an RTX 5070 gaming laptop in titles like Cyberpunk, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Assessin’s Creed Shadow.
Furthermore, YouTuber Andrew Tsai put the MacBook Pro M5 Max to the test against 13 different games.
He was using the configuration with 48GB RAM, 18CPU cores, and 40 GPU cores.
Results included:
| Game | Quality | Frame Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | 4K Ultra | 55-60fps (in an intensive area) |
| GRID Legends | 4K Ultra High | 60-80fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 4K High (with upscaling) | 60fps |
| Minecraft (Lunar) | 4K | 120fps+ |
Tsai also tested games that require CrossOver or Parallels to run on a MacBook.
Popular titles like Helldivers 2, Elden Ring, Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, and Guild Wars 2 were all playable on 1440p or 4K at High or Ultra settings.
The MacBook gaming problem
While the MacBook Pro M5 Max clearly has the raw power to run modern titles well, owners still face challenges to their overall gaming experience.
Most PC games are designed specifically for Windows PCs, and require separate software to be played on macOS.
CrossOver and Parallels are two of the most popular options for achieving this – but the lack of native support for most PC games is a major frustration for many gamers.
Furthermore, even with CrossOver or Parallels running, many online games run anti-cheat software that does not allow them to be played.
As a result, the MacBook Pro M5 Max is still not an ideal laptop for gaming, and any gaming you can do should be considered a bonus.
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