However, the Iris Pro graphics used in some of the more expensive MacBook Pro and iMac models is a big improvement.
The same is true of the newer Iris 51 used in the Mac Mini and the cheapest version of the MacBook Pro. Intel Iris Pro 6200 (21.5-inch iMac/2.8GHz, 21.5-inch Retina iMac)ĪMD Radeon R9 M380/2GB VRAM (27-inch iMac/3.2GHz)ĪMD Radeon R9 M390/2GB VRAM (27-inch iMac/3.2GHz)ĪMD Radeon R9 M395/2GB VRAM (27-inch iMac/3.3GHz)ĭual AMD FirePro D300/2x2GB VRAM (Quad-Core MacPro)ĭual AMD FirePro D500/2x3GB VRAM (Six-Core MacPro)Īs a general rule, the ‘Intel HD Graphics’ range used in many current Macs (and many older models as well) just aren’t powerful enough for 3D games.
Intel HD Graphics 6000 (MacBook Air, 21.5-inch iMac/1.6GHz) Intel HD Graphics 5300 (MacBook 2015 edition) So, in order to try and clear up some of the confusion, here’s a quick guide to the various GPUs used in the current Mac range (in ascending order of power): This is the best option, as it frees up your Mac’s main CPU and RAM, and lets the GPU handle all the really intensive 3D graphics work by itself.Īpple currently uses a confusing mixture of integrated and discrete GPUs across the Mac range. A discrete GPU will also have its own high-speed memory (sometimes called VRAM – or Video RAM) to boost graphics performance. An integrated GPU will share your Mac’s main memory (RAM) with the main CPU, which is a bit of a compromise – especially if you’ve only got 2GB of 4GB of memory to start off with – so it’s not ideal for really demanding 3D games.Ī better option is to use a ‘discrete’ graphics card – an entirely separate graphics processor that is specifically designed for handling 3D graphics. Intel’s latest processor Core i5 and i7 processors include an ‘integrated GPU’, which is built onto the main CPU itself – a bit like an extension built onto the back of your house.
There are two main types of GPU available. But even a fast CPU will still struggle with modern 3D games, so most Macs and PCs also include a ‘graphics card’ – sometimes referred to as the ‘GPU’, or graphics processing unit. Obviously you need a fast processor (CPU) to play 3D games, preferably a dual-core Intel Core i5 or Core i7, running at 2.0GHz or more. This is where things can get a bit complicated. Most Macs can handle that sort of casual, 2D gaming action without any problems, but it’s the detailed 3D graphics used in high-speed action games and online games that really put a lot of strain on your Mac. Many casual games, such as Plants Versus Zombies, and the never-ending Angry Birds series, use simple two-dimensional graphics that don’t really require too much graphics power. We’d also recommend a comfy chair, some snacks that can eaten one-handed, and the occasional break to save your spine from developing an unusual shape.īest Mac for gaming: Integrated versus Discrete GPUs To ensure you have the best platform for your digital adventures you’ll obviously need a machine that has a fast processor (CPU), but it also helps to have a powerful graphics processor and a fast hard disk or solid-state drive too. Playing the latest 3D games places heavy demands on a computer, both in terms of graphics and processor performance. So, with all this interactive entertainment available to the prospective buyer, the question remains - which Mac is best for gaming?
Installing Windows via Boot Camp on a Mac gives you the best of both worlds, playing native Mac versions of games whenever possible, and then switching into Windows for games such as Witcher 3 and Dragon Age: Inquisition that aren’t available on the Mac.
But the Mac also has a cunning trick up its precision-engineered sleeve, in the form of Boot Camp. Of course, Windows still has the majority of AAA games such as GTA V, Skyrim, and Dragon Age: Inquisition, and they will probably always arrive on that platform first.
Gamers who prefer the joys of OS X to the hotch-potch of features that constitute Windows 8 and 10 can happily play World of Warcraft, Starcraft 2, Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite, Batman: Arkham City, The Witcher 2, and many other classic titles all from the comfort of their Macs. The Mac gaming scene has really picked up since Macs started to use the same Intel processors as Windows PCs, and strong sales of Mac in recent years means that there are now more A-List games appearing on the Mac than ever before.
From a technical point of view this is nonsense, as Macs and PCs – and even gaming consoles such as the Xbox and PlayStation – all use very similar components. It’s become something of a running joke among Windows users that Macs are rubbish for gaming.