How is RPG performance on the base MBP 14 Pro?

[InlawBiker]

Hey all, I have a 13" M1 MBP (issued from my job) that is really nice. I tested the games I play on it but it's not quite where I'd like it to be. Divinity OS 2 plays 30-40fps. Looking to play Baldur's Gate 3, DOS2, and other native games at 60fps + native resolution. Not interested in Crossover or Windows games at all.

I'm sure the 14 Pro 14 core is faster than the M1 and I definitely don't need the Max for what I'm doing, (photoshop, lightroom, RPG gaming). Thoughts?

 

[HQNYC]

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Check out the sticky on the subreddit. The link has a huge list of games that are native, rosetta, crossover or parallel for the M series.

 

[crazy dave]

Hey all, I have a 13" M1 MBP (issued from my job) that is really nice. I tested the games I play on it but it's not quite where I'd like it to be. Divinity OS 2 plays 30-40fps. Looking to play Baldur's Gate 3, DOS2, and other native games at 60fps + native resolution. Not interested in Crossover or Windows games at all.

I'm sure the 14 Pro 14 core is faster than the M1 and I definitely don't need the Max for what I'm doing, (photoshop, lightroom, RPG gaming). Thoughts?

My two cents: One issue is that the native resolution of the 14” (~3000x2000) is ~50% higher than the 13” (~2500x1600) so you will gain FPS from the faster graphics (~75% from 8 to 14 cores) but loose them from the higher pixel count if you game in native for both. You’ll come out ahead but not by anywhere near enough to get to you 60FPS+ *unless* you drop the game resolution down from native on the 14” (or settings quality I suppose) to something closer to the 13"'s lower native resolution (what are the game's options for this?).

If you don’t want do that, then getting the 16 core GPU Pro chip would be better (probably still not enough) but the 24 core Max would make sure of it (well it'd be about 60FPS in DOS2 at native, but maybe not more). Unfortunately it's more expensive given the additional RAM requirements. Even if you were considering it, which it doesn’t sound like you are, I’d caution against the 32 core GPU variant in the 14" chassis as I’m seeing to many reports of diminishing GPU performance returns in the 14” chassis.

 

[InlawBiker]

My two cents: One issue is that the native resolution of the 14” (~3000x2000) is ~50% higher than the 13” (~2500x1600) so you will gain FPS from the faster graphics (~75% from 8 to 14 cores) but loose them from the higher pixel count if you game in native for both.

OK that's an excellent point. I had forgotten the resolution on the 14" was that much higher so naturally performance needs more muscle. At any rate I would still be OK lowering the resolution or just using my 1400p external monitor. Sure I'd like faster gaming but I don't think it's worth a thousand bucks. All I'm really looking for is a "super" 13" MBP, Photoshop and Lightroom should still be stellar.

 

[crazy dave]

OK that's an excellent point. I had forgotten the resolution on the 14" was that much higher so naturally performance needs more muscle. At any rate I would still be OK lowering the resolution or just using my 1400p external monitor. Sure I'd like faster gaming but I don't think it's worth a thousand bucks. All I'm really looking for is a "super" 13" MBP, Photoshop and Lightroom should still be stellar.

That sounds like the right call.