Do MacBook Pro with M3 chips work well for gaming?

The graphics capabilities of MacBook improve with the release of each new generation of Apple Silicon chips. For instance, in the M3 series, Apple has transitioned to an enhanced graphics architecture and added hardware ray tracing. Additionally, the GPU is equipped with features such as Mesh Shading and Dynamic Caching, significantly enhancing the integrated graphics architecture.

We discuss whether it is worth buying the MacBook Pro with M3 if your goal is gaming.

Three new chips in the family

The M3 is a series of ARM architecture System-on-Chip (SoC). It includes the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips. All of them are manufactured using the latest 3-nanometer process (previously 5 nanometers). Thanks to this, the processor delivers the same power as the M1 but consumes half the energy.

The MacBook Pro with M3 is 11 times faster than the top-of-the-line Mac with an Intel processor. And all this power is available both during charging and in standalone mode. That’s why the new model is the most gaming-oriented MacBook Pro.

The signature 16-core Neural Engine is now 60% faster, and the media processing module supports the AV1 codec (previously H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW). Codec support allows for energy-efficient playback of videos on YouTube and other streaming platforms.

Speaking of energy efficiency, MacBook Pro with M3 chips can operate for up to 22 hours without recharging. This is the longest battery life in the entire history of Mac!

Apple Laptop for Gaming: Understanding the Differences Between Chips

M3 – the base chip in the family. The central processor includes 8 cores, with 4 being high-performance and 4 energy-efficient. In the graphics processor, there are 10 cores, which are 20% faster than the cores in M2 and 35% faster than those in M1. It supports up to 24 GB of unified memory. The M3 chip itself contains 25 billion transistors. For comparison, M2 had 20 billion. In addition to the built-in display, an additional one can be connected.

M3 Pro is even more powerful. The enhanced CPU includes up to 12 cores, and the GPU has 18 cores (6 high-performance and 6 energy-efficient). When compared to the M1 Pro chip, the central processor is now 20% faster, and the graphics processor is 40% faster. It boasts 37 billion transistors onboard and supports up to 36 GB of unified memory. There is also the capability to connect up to two displays simultaneously.

M3 Max – the most powerful chip in the history of Apple Silicon. A laptop equipped with it becomes the most high-performance MacBook for gaming. ‘Under the hood,’ it features a 16-core CPU (12 high-performance and 4 efficient cores). The graphics accelerator boasts 40 cores (in the maximum configuration), making it 50% faster than M1 Max or 20% faster than M2 Max. Users can choose up to 128 GB of unified memory and connect up to 4 external monitors. The number of transistors is impressive: 92 billion.

• The M3 chip is available in the MacBook Pro (14-inch) and iMac (24-inch).
• The M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are exclusive to the MacBook Pro (14 and 16-inch). By the way, they are available in an exclusive Space Black color with a special anodized coating to resist fingerprints.

Enhanced architecture for integrated graphics

For the first time in Apple Silicon processors, new technologies are introduced – Ray Tracing and Mesh Shading. Thanks to them, using the MacBook for gaming is particularly enjoyable.

Hardware ray tracing allows rendering realistic shadows and reflections in games with minimal load. Mesh Shading technology is necessary for offloading tasks from the central processor to the graphics processor. This enables faster processing of fine details, objects, and the creation of complex 3D scenes in graphics.

Dynamic Caching is another innovation in the M3 chips. Dynamic Caching technology has become the central core of the new graphics architecture. It analyzes the processor load in real-time and allocates the exact amount of memory needed to perform a specific task. In short, Dynamic Caching enhances the capabilities of the graphics core and ensures quality improvements in games.

Innovations for Gamers in macOS Sonoma

Apple develops both the hardware and software for MacBooks, allowing them to work seamlessly and unlock each other’s potential. The new macOS features a special gaming mode that grants the game the highest priority access to the CPU and GPU, reducing their resources for background tasks. This ensures a consistently high frame rate for smooth graphics and reduces input and sound latency when using wireless accessories like game controllers and headphones.

Another reason to buy a MacBook for gaming is the Game Porting Toolkit utility. With its help, developers can easily port games from Windows to macOS with minimal effort. For example, the tool allows the transformation of DirectX 12 into Metal 3. While gamers have previously used CrossOver and Wine to transfer games to the Apple platform, macOS now has built-in similar tools, and some Windows games run on Mac without any code modifications.

Is it worth buying a MacBook for gaming?

Yes, especially since the improved graphics architecture of the M3 chip makes Macs suitable even for demanding games. And certainly yes if you plan to use the laptop not only for gaming but also for work – in terms of performance, these machines are practically unrivaled.

Add to the graphics potential the Liquid Retina XDR display with a 14 or 16-inch diagonal, a sound system with 6 speakers, a 3-microphone array of studio quality, a trackpad with gesture support, and a durable aluminum chassis.

That’s why it’s not just a powerful MacBook for gaming but also for life in general.”

Can the MacBook handle games?

Any game adapted for macOS will run smoothly on the gaming MacBook Pro M3. Games like Dota 2, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Myst, Baldur’s Gate 3, Lies of P, Death Stranding Director’s Cut, as well as games from Steam – the M3 chip effortlessly handles these games. During the Apple presentation, it was promised that major blockbusters would soon be available on Mac: Death Stranding, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion, No Man’s Sky, and others. There are reasons to believe that this list will be regularly expanded, as Apple actively attracts game developers to its platform.

Conclusion

We won’t claim that MacBook Pro is Apple’s gaming laptops. The company itself does not position them as gaming devices. But if just 5 years ago, users were skeptical about Macs for gaming, that’s now a thing of the past. Modern Apple laptops are designed not only for work but also for everyday life. And games are an integral part of it.

Buy the MacBook Pro with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips at iSpace. It is the network of stores of the official representative of Apple in Armenia. We have all configurations available, and there is also an option to order custom models.

Visit iSpace or buy the MacBook Pro M3 online with delivery to any point in Armenia!