Gaming on the M1

[Geoca]

What kind of FPS do you guys get on the M1 MBA 8GPU Cores?

 

[Pezimak]

Is there any news on if the first original Crysis game will run under ARM Windows and the latest Parallel’s?
And if so how would it run in the new iMac?

 

[vs40]

I'm not a big gamer, but I'm tried Starcraft II and my Air getting pretty toasty even at 1080p Low settings.
Passively cooled Air definitely not intended for games.

 

[Pezimak]

I'm not a big gamer, but I'm tried Starcraft II and my Air getting pretty toasty even at 1080p Low settings.
Passively cooled Air definitely not intended for games.

Did you run the game natively on Mac OS or through Windows?

 

[vs40]

Did you run the game natively on Mac OS or through Windows?

macOS(Intel) version via Rosetta

https://eu.shop.battle.net/en-us/product/starcraft-ii

 

[Pezimak]

macOS(Intel) version via Rosetta

https://eu.shop.battle.net/en-us/product/starcraft-ii

How did it run?

 

[vs40]

How did it run?

Playable at 1080p

 

[GrumpyCoder]

Checkout Andrew Tsai's YT channel, he's benchmarked a bunch of games.

While such effort is always nice to see, it's pointless to benchmark PoE at monster level 3 as not much is going on in these low levels. Benchmarks should be made with maps or endgame when the screen is really filled with monsters. In my experience that's when the game breaks down and becomes unplayable on macOS unless the character is a tank.

 

[poked]

While such effort is always nice to see, it's pointless to benchmark PoE at monster level 3 as not much is going on in these low levels. Benchmarks should be made with maps or endgame when the screen is really filled with monsters. In my experience that's when the game breaks down and becomes unplayable on macOS unless the character is a tank.

That’s what I was concerned about, because I can’t see MacOS handling POE in any meaningful capacity. :’(

 

[GrumpyCoder]

That’s what I was concerned about, because I can’t see MacOS handling POE in any meaningful capacity. :’(

It's not macOS, but the poor ports. It is understandable though, they put time and effort into software they can make money with. I've given up on macOS for games, Windows + Nvidia GPU is totally fine for games.

 

[JMacHack]

how Steam is dragging down native ARM binaries

Valve needs a kick in the ass in the worst way. They’ve been twiddling their thumbs up their asses while raking in the money with Steam, only because it’s the biggest platform. They might have had competition with EGS, but Sweeny is a clown.

I’m sure that given enough incentive Valve would start to more actively support ASi, but it’s difficult to extract effort out of them.

 

[Thomas Davie]

What kind of FPS do you guys get on the M1 MBA 8GPU Cores?

This is the only example I’ve got. Playing Fallout 3 GOTY edition under Windows 10 arm64 under parallels. Resolution was either 3008x1892 or 2880X900. Details and everything were set to maximum in the game. I was getting 53-59 fps.

native games, dunno. The only Mac OS game I’ve got is Civ 6/DLC’s.

Tom

 

[Pezimak]

Playable at 1080p

Thanks, what settings was that at. Starcraft is a game I would love to play in an iMac screen , or a monitor.

I also play Crysis the original one, but I cannot find any information about if it will run in Arm Windows under Parallels.

 

[vs40]

Thanks, what settings was that at. Starcraft is a game I would love to play in an iMac screen , or a monitor.

1080p with low settings.

 

[poked]

1080p with low settings.

What’s the fps with the iMac? Just 60 usually? Also what the screen refresh rate?

 

[vs40]

What’s the fps with the iMac? Just 60 usually?

It didn't show FPS, but it felt more like 30-40fps, no stable 60fps.

PS
Can someone recommend M1 compatible and not very demanding RTS like C&C: Generals or Rise of Nations?

 

[Acronyc]

Thanks, what settings was that at. Starcraft is a game I would love to play in an iMac screen , or a monitor.

I also play Crysis the original one, but I cannot find any information about if it will run in Arm Windows under Parallels.

I have an M1 MBP and tried Crysis through Steam in Windows 10 with Parallels. It works fine, you just have to run it in Vista compatibility mode and then also apply the fix available on GitHub.

 

[Toutou]

I also play Crysis the original one, but I cannot find any information about if it will run in Arm Windows under Parallels.

It does, but performance is crap. Btw this was in February, so maybe things have gotten better since.

 

[Pezimak]

I have an M1 MBP and tried Crysis through Steam in Windows 10 with Parallels. It works fine, you just have to run it in Vista compatibility mode and then also apply the fix available on GitHub.

It does, but performance is crap. Btw this was in February, so maybe things have gotten better since. View attachment 1820936

Thanks guys! Awesome to know, as I said I have the DVD disk version of the game but it should work if the Steam version does. It will take me a while to save for a new Mac anyway, so by the time I have the cash I expect more powerful ones will be out.
But the fact it runs in Parallels is great news! I do have a Steam Deck per-order registration but would rather just get a new Mac. As I prefer Mac OS and Mac computers.

Again thank you for the replies.