Of course, MacBooks are not known as gaming computers, but with the right optimizations, it is possible to make gaming performance flawless. Macs with Apple Silicon (M2, M3 and M4) processors in particular can easily run many modern games thanks to their powerful GPUs. However, if you want to make your Mac more suitable for gaming, you need to make some basic adjustments. Otherwise, you may encounter problems such as low FPS, long loading times, heating issues and lags.
In this guide, we'll take a detailed look at what you need to do on the hardware and software side to make your Mac best suited for gaming.
1. Keep Your macOS Updated and Tweaked for Performance
To get the best gaming experience on your Mac, you should make sure your operating system is up to date. macOS updates are released to improve performance and increase hardware compatibility.
To play games on MacBook, you can prepare your device by installing the latest update.
To update your macOS, you can check for the latest version by going to System Preferences > General > Software Update. If you notice a decrease in your gaming performance after the new update, you may want to consider reverting to the previous version.
In addition, some settings that are enabled by default on your Mac can take system resources away from games and use them for background processes. You can ensure that your Mac runs at maximum performance by turning off energy-saving features, especially low power mode.
For performance adjustments:
- Turn off Low Power Mode: Disable Low Power Mode in System Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode .
- Reduce animations: Enable "Reduce Motion" and "Reduce Transparency" from System Settings > Accessibility > Display menu.
- Turn off automatic updates: Background updates and syncing processes can negatively impact your game performance. You can turn off "Automatic Updates" in System Settings > Software Updates .
Following these steps is essential to improve MacBook gaming performance and get a smoother gaming experience.
2. Close Background Apps
Applications running in the background on your Mac consume unnecessary CPU and RAM while gaming. Especially Chrome, Adobe Creative Cloud, iCloud syncs, Dropbox, and other background services can consume unnecessary hardware power of your Mac while gaming.
That's why it's important to close unnecessary processes to free up system resources before starting the game.
To check the apps running in the background:
- Open Activity Monitor ( Finder > Applications > Tools > Activity Monitor ).
- View top resource-consuming apps from the CPU, Memory, and Energy tabs.
- Click on the app you want to close and select "Force Quit".
Regularly closing background apps for gaming on MacBook will direct more processor power to games, allowing you to enjoy higher FPS and a stable gaming experience.
3. Optimize Graphics Settings in Games
MacBooks can struggle at high graphics settings, especially models that use an integrated GPU. It's important to optimize in-game settings to improve your gaming performance.
To optimize graphics settings:
- Set the graphics settings to medium or low. Turning off visual effects, especially shadows and reflections, will increase FPS.
- Disable anti-aliasing and VSync settings. These settings put extra load on your Mac's GPU.
Some games are not fully compatible with Apple Silicon chips. So you should check macOS support before purchasing a game. Do you know how to increase your gaming experience on MacBook? Take your gaming experience to the top with the dual angle stand !
4. Fix Overheating Issues and Cool Down Your Mac
Playing games on a MacBook can cause it to overheat. Overheating causes the system to reduce the processor speed to protect itself, which can lead to FPS loss in games.
To prevent your Mac from overheating:
- Use your Mac on a hard, flat surface. Beds or soft surfaces restrict airflow, increasing heat.
- Use a MacBook stand. External cooling systems provide more stable performance while gaming.
- Use the "Macs Fan Control" app to manage fan speeds. You can manually increase the cooling capacity of your Mac's fans.
If you find that your Mac is overheating, cleaning the air vents and performing regular fan maintenance can also be important solutions. If you’re looking for a case that won’t cause heat buildup for your MacBook, KraftCover is a great option.
5. Support Games with External Graphics Card (eGPU)
Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) chips do not support external graphics (eGPU), but Intel-based Macs can significantly improve gaming performance by using external graphics via a Thunderbolt connection.
For eGPU usage:
- Check if your Mac has a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port.
- Choose AMD Radeon-based eGPU models (macOS does not support Nvidia graphics cards).
- To run games with eGPU, use the latest version of macOS.
Using an eGPU can be a very effective solution for those who want to use their Mac as a gaming computer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can you play games on a MacBook?
MacBooks can run many games with ease. However, the macOS platform does not offer as much game support as Windows and is not optimized for many popular games. In conclusion, yes, you can play games on a MacBook, but it is not a gaming computer.
2. How to improve gaming performance on Mac?
To improve gaming performance on Mac, you should disable low power mode, You should close any apps running in the background, manually increase fan speeds, and optimize graphics settings.
3. What are the best platforms for Mac games?
The best gaming platforms for Mac users are:
- Apple Arcade (Mac-optimized games)
- Steam (MacOS compatible PC games)
- GeForce Now (Cloud-based gaming service)
- Epic Games Store (Mac supported games)
4. Can I use external GPU (eGPU) for Mac's gaming performance?
Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) processors do not support eGPUs. However, Macs with Intel processors can use AMD-based eGPUs with a Thunderbolt connection to increase graphics performance.
5. Why does my Mac get so hot while gaming?
Macs can get hot quickly when playing games. To reduce heat, you should use your Mac on a hard surface, manually increase fan speeds, and close unnecessary background applications to lighten the processor load.
Also read: Best Lesser-Known Games You Can Play on MacBook: Mac Compatible Game Recommendations
