Casual Gaming

[Gixene]

MacRumors Community,

This week I will take delivery of a stock 13-inch 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar & Touch ID. For the past 6 years I've been using a Mid-2010 MacBook 7,1 with 250 GB HDD, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 2 GB RAM.

I game occasionally, specifically no more than once a month. However lately it has been less since the performance of this MacBook has been lacking, rendering gaming undesirable. I no longer game as I did when I was younger. College, career and life has taken importance.

Now I suppose I'm more of a 'social' gamer. I have a group of friends I have would rather consume alcohol and game rather than go out and enjoy the night life (different group of friends). With their gaming computers and flashy lights. Which is fine, I enjoy the presence and participate.

For the past 6 years of owning this MacBook, I've been a little ignorant in regards to the macOS. Though since purchasing this new MacBook Pro, I vowed to become more knowledgeable and take advantage of the benefits of macOS. Recently I had learned of Bootcamp, Parallels, VMWare, etc.

The game I play with them is Leage of Legends. Riot, the game developers seem to have imporved support for Mac users since I first began playing Leage of Legends a few years ago.

So I have some questions.

1.) Based on this casual gaming. Do you recommend I use Leage of Legends macOS version or use one of the other methods?

2.) If I do partition with Bootcamp or these other applications, could I use a bootable Samsung T3 Portable SSD - 250GB - USB 3.1 External SSD? Would be this beneficial or decrease performance?

3.) With this MacBook, I encountered higher than average tempatures compared to when not gaming. Is it recommended to use an application to cool the internal fans? If so, what application?

4.) Is it recommend to use an external fan and/or other cooling method while gaming? If so, any recommendations on brand and/or model?

I know questions 3 and 4 may cause criticism. However, I ask due to what appears to be slight warping that has developed since using this MacBook throughout the years. Unsure if this is due to gaming itself. I do understand that macOS has features to prevent damage due to high temperatures and realize this is a plastic MacBook compared to the aluminum MacBook Pro I will receive. However I would consider this preventive maintenance to avoid issues.

Disclaimer: I realize there is a controversy regarding gaming and Apple/Mac/macOS. I do feel as if this "Mac and PC Games" subforum is a safe haven. I will state that I do not want to purchase a console or gaming machine. It would simply be a waste. I sold the Xbox One, Turtle Beach headset, collection of games and other accessories years ago.

Thank you, Gixene

 

[gkarris]

Disclaimer: I realize there is a controversy regarding gaming and Apple/Mac/macOS. I do feel as if this "Mac and PC Games" subforum is a safe haven. I will state that I do not want to purchase a console or gaming machine. It would simply be a waste. I sold the Xbox One, Turtle Beach headset, collection of games and other accessories years ago.

Thank you, Gixene

As long as you know exactly what you own, what games you want, and in what capacity you want to play them within the confines of your machine (720p/low vs 4K/Ultra), then you should be fine.

I've played games on a cheap sub-note I bought two years ago for $160 as well as an old Thinkpad (I bought refurbished) and games play fine on those, as long as it is an older game or the game scales down well to play on older machines.

One of my favorite Mech games, Hawken, scales well. I can play it on an old laptop in 1024x768/Low just fine and can play at 1440p/High on my gaming rig and it looks spectacular.

Then there are games I tried, like Paragon. It runs like crap at 1080p/Medium on my gaming rig, and looks bad on 720p - so I wouldn't run it on anything less than 1080p.

I haven't played League of Legends (yet). I understand it is a great game and has a great community. According to the website, the game doesn't require anything massive (Windows or MacOS).

Here's a guy that built a League of Legends PC for $5:

So I assume your new MacBook will run it...

 

[Gixene]

As long as you know exactly what you own, what games you want, and in what capacity you want to play them within the confines of your machine (720p/low vs 4K/Ultra), then you should be fine.

I've played games on a cheap sub-note I bought two years ago for $160 as well as an old Thinkpad (I bought refurbished) and games play fine on those, as long as it is an older game or the game scales down well to play on older machines.

One of my favorite Mech games, Hawken, scales well. I can play it on an old laptop in 1024x768/Low just fine and can play at 1440p/High on my gaming rig and it looks spectacular.

Then there are games I tried, like Paragon. It runs like crap at 1080p/Medium on my gaming rig, and looks bad on 720p - so I wouldn't run it on anything less than 1080p.

I haven't played League of Legends (yet). I understand it is a great game and has a great community. According to the website, the game doesn't require anything massive (Windows or MacOS).

Here's a guy that built a League of Legends PC for $5:

So I assume your new MacBook will run it...

That's quite impressive for $5. I had no doubt this new MacBook Pro will be able to run it, even before seeing this video. Honestly, I believe it has better specs than the MacBook 7,1 I have. Though I'm not 'tech savvy' enough to confirm.

However, the question is if I should use the macOS Leage of Legends that I have used or if I should use Bootcamp or one of the other programs?

 

[gkarris]

That's quite impressive for $5. I had no doubt this new MacBook Pro will be able to run it, even before seeing this video. Honestly, I believe it has better specs than the MacBook 7,1 I have. Though I'm not 'tech savvy' enough to confirm.

However, the question is if I should use the macOS Leage of Legends that I have used or if I should use Bootcamp or one of the other programs?

For League of Legends, MacOS since a version is available.

 

[Gixene]

For League of Legends, MacOS since a version is available.

Indeed they do. I more or less wasn't sure if it would be recommend to run outside of macOS. Then it may be best I continue to use the macOS version.

Do you use any applications that control the fan to improve cooling? Nessesary or unnecessary? As I said, this polycarbonate MacBook has experienced slight warping over the years. I know the aluminum is better suited for heat.

 

[MacBH928]

Can you run a game on bootcamp using an external SSD through USB-C?
I am very intersted to know the answer of this question.

 

[Huntn]

Mac SSDs are small. I just bought a 13" MBP with a 512Mb SSD. I've not received it yet. My plan will be to partition my MBP 50-50% using Bootcamp, installing Windows on it, and then use a portable hard drive to store and access my Windows games. I've had this setup on my MBP for the last 5 years and it works well. I'm not sure how easy and hiccup free, trying to use Bootcamp to install Windows on an external hard drive is.

Btw, as compared to my 2011 MBP which was a capable gaming laptop, I've given up on AAA gaming and will stick to casual gaming while using my new Mac laptop, more likely spending more time on my iPad when traveling. I still have my gaming PC at home for serious gaming.

 

[Paulk]

I starte to download the mac version of this game, but then realised it was player versus player. I'm far too old to do player versus player, my fingers are just too slow to compete with the youngsters. Pity, so its back to Drakensang online.

 

[Huntn]

I starte to download the mac version of this game, but then realised it was player versus player. I'm far too old to do player versus player, my fingers are just too slow to compete with the youngsters. Pity, so its back to Drakensang online.

Which game... League of Legends, I'm thinking. Drakensang looks kind of like Diablo.

 

[Paulk]

No it was League of Legends, which is the subject of this thread. Drakensang can be player versus player but I play it player verses environment, plenty of opportunity for gaining levels if you choose the right environment for your character's skill level.

Diablo looks interesting, I may give it a try.

 

[gkarris]

No it was League of Legends, which is the subject of this thread. Drakensang can be player versus player but I play it player verses environment, plenty of opportunity for gaining levels if you choose the right environment for your character's skill level.

Diablo looks interesting, I may give it a try.

Diablo's a classic!!!

 

[Paulk]

I can't seem to get Diablo on my mac! Something to do with nothing the right app.

 

[mikeo007]

Can you run a game on bootcamp using an external SSD through USB-C?
I am very intersted to know the answer of this question.

Depending on the game, yes.
I have a 32GB bootcamp partition on my 2010 machine and use a USB thumb drive to run World of Warcraft on it. It should work with any blizzard game, you just need to install the Battle.net launcher and then point it at the game on the USB drive. I imagine Steam games would be similar since you can install them to an external drive also.

 

[Paulk]

Perhaps this is the answer to why I can't run Diablo on my Mac?

 

[Gixene]

I downloaded the Mac version of League of Legends.

This 2016 MacBook Pro (Touch Bar & Touch ID) does not radiate heat compared to the 2010 MacBook (white polycarbonate) I owned. However, it did become rather warm while downloading League of Legends. I believe that it will become warm similar to when I downloaded when playing League of Legends. I was still curious if it is recommended to use an application that controls the fan and/or a product that the MacBook Pro can sit on that prevents heating? If so, what application and/or product?

I certainly understand that the MacBook Pro would simply 'shut down' as I've heard, but would feel more comfortable if I can prevent any issues to the internals while operating at high temperatures.

 

[macmee]

I downloaded the Mac version of League of Legends.

This 2016 MacBook Pro (Touch Bar & Touch ID) does not radiate heat compared to the 2010 MacBook (white polycarbonate) I owned. However, it did become rather warm while downloading League of Legends. I believe that it will become warm similar to when I downloaded when playing League of Legends. I was still curious if it is recommended to use an application that controls the fan and/or a product that the MacBook Pro can sit on that prevents heating? If so, what application and/or product?

I certainly understand that the MacBook Pro would simply 'shut down' as I've heard, but would feel more comfortable if I can prevent any issues to the internals while operating at high temperatures.

LoL flies on my 2014 MBP. I'm sure it will run great on a 2016!

 

[MythicFrost]

I'm switching to PC, but until then I'm currently running Windows 10 on a 500GB Samsung 850 SSD in an external USB 3.0 enclosure with UASP support. (So this can be done... but it's somewhat complex. No idea about USB C in particular.) You get less (random) performance than when it's directly connected to SATA 3, but it's still way way faster than any hard drive.

I prefer Windows for gaming, always have and always will. But, if you only play LoL it could be convenient being able to play it on macOS. Rebooting all the time can be annoying.

 

[Gixene]

LoL flies on my 2014 MBP. I'm sure it will run great on a 2016!

I'm sure it will! The 2010 MacBook (white polycarbonate) I previously owned. Some of the plastic on that machine around the vent became slightly warped. I did notice that Apple created these 2016 MacBook Pros with vents on the sides as well. That should create better circulation. Aluminum is a better heat conductor compared to the polycarbonate. I suppose I'm being overly cautious.