Mid 2015 15inch Macbook pro gaming performance

[MacDjent]

Hello folks,



So two days ago I decided to upgrade my early 2011 Macbook pro to a new one, I bought the 15inch 16GB Ram 2.5GH I7 AMD Radeon R9 2GB graphic card one...simply put I bought the best Macbook pro on market, I bought the best one because I make video stuff and I record and mix music, which require some high specs. I know Macbook pro isn't for gaming, but there are games made for Mac such as Tomb Raider, and the game came out in 2013. I tried the game just to test my really expensive Macbook pro, I put the resolution to 1400X900, normal graphic setting and its smooth, but when i put it to high its lagging abit but still playable. Then I put the resolution to 2048X1280, the frame drop is more obvious and with high graphic setting its kinda hard for me to play. Then I cranked all the setttings up 2880X1880 resolution with ultra graphic, I can move but its basically unplayable, FPS is extremely low.



So is it normal for the most expensive Macbook pro on market, even with the normal high graphic setting (2048X1280 High graphic setting) of Tomb Raider that I still can't play the 2013 game smoothly? The game was literally made for Mac Im not even using bootcamp or visual machines. One more thing I noticed is whenever I play those 3d games the wind flow is quite loud as well, the laptop can get hot really quick.


MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2048 MB

 

[lowendlinux]

So you bought a Mac portable and wanted to game on it knowing that it's not Apples strong suit and are disapointed when it's not strong?

 

[T5BRICK]

So is it normal for the most expensive Macbook pro on market, even with the normal high graphic setting (2048X1280 High graphic setting) of Tomb Raider that I still can't play the 2013 game smoothly? The game was literally made for Mac Im not even using bootcamp or visual machines. One more thing I noticed is whenever I play those 3d games the wind flow is quite loud as well, the laptop can get hot really quick.

Apple doesn't sell a computer geared toward gaming. I'm not sure what you're expecting here.

Also, if you want better performance, install Boot Camp and play the Windows versions of the games you want.

 

[MacDjent]

So you bought a Mac portable and wanted to game on it knowing that it's not Apples strong suit and are disapointed when it's not strong?

You got me wrong, what I meant is I bought the macbook pro mainly for study and works. I play games rarely but if there are games literally just made for mac OS how come the best Macbook pro still can't handle it? Is it normal for Macbook pro or is my laptop defected?

 

[MacDjent]

Apple doesn't sell a computer geared toward gaming. I'm not sure what you're expecting here.

Also, if you want better performance, install Boot Camp and play the Windows versions of the games you want.

I literally just said in the post that I know Macbook pro isn't for gaming, but there are games that are made for Mac OS and the best Macbook pro still can't handle it isn't that disappointing? and no I didn't buy the macbook for gaming I bought it for video editing and recording.

 

[jamin00]

I had the top late 2011 MBP offering and it was superb at film editing etc but I did upgrade the ram. However I have a new top offering MBPr coming Monday and expect it to be at least every bit as good if not better. I don't game and if I did, even knowing what little I know about laptops I would also get a windows machine for the gaming. I would still have to have a MBP

 

[Andres Cantu]

Hello folks,



So two days ago I decided to upgrade my early 2011 Macbook pro to a new one, I bought the 15inch 16GB Ram 2.5GH I7 AMD Radeon R9 2GB graphic card one...simply put I bought the best Macbook pro on market, I bought the best one because I make video stuff and I record and mix music, which require some high specs. I know Macbook pro isn't for gaming, but there are games made for Mac such as Tomb Raider, and the game came out in 2013. I tried the game just to test my really expensive Macbook pro, I put the resolution to 1400X900, normal graphic setting and its smooth, but when i put it to high its lagging abit but still playable. Then I put the resolution to 2048X1280, the frame drop is more obvious and with high graphic setting its kinda hard for me to play. Then I cranked all the setttings up 2880X1880 resolution with ultra graphic, I can move but its basically unplayable, FPS is extremely low.



So is it normal for the most expensive Macbook pro on market, even with the normal high graphic setting (2048X1280 High graphic setting) of Tomb Raider that I still can't play the 2013 game smoothly? The game was literally made for Mac Im not even using bootcamp or visual machines. One more thing I noticed is whenever I play those 3d games the wind flow is quite loud as well, the laptop can get hot really quick.


MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2048 MB

I agree with what others have said so far. MacBooks generally aren't meant for gaming, even the most expensive ones. For some reason, Apple keeps using graphics cards that people are not demanding (I always hear of people wanting the newest NVIDIA cards). Are you planning on keeping your MacBook Pro or returning it and waiting until late Fall for the Skylake version, hoping it includes a better graphics card?

 

[MacDjent]

I agree with what others have said so far. MacBooks generally aren't meant for gaming, even the most expensive ones. For some reason, Apple keeps using graphics cards that people are not demanding (I always hear of people wanting the newest NVIDIA cards). Are you planning on keeping your MacBook Pro or returning it and waiting until late Fall for the Skylake version, hoping it includes a better graphics card?

I'll keep my macbook pro for sure because I didn't buy it for gaming, I bought it for video editing and recording. Im just kinda pissed that the best Macbook pro so far still can't handle a 2013 game that was made for Mac OS, thats what I'm disappointing about and I was also asking if its normal for a top spec Macbook pro to perform like this? Because i don't want defective goods (I bought it from apple store directly)

 

[Andres Cantu]

I'll keep my macbook pro for sure because I didn't buy it for gaming, I bought it for video editing and recording. Im just kinda pissed that the best Macbook pro so far still can't handle a 2013 game that was made for Mac OS, thats what I'm disappointing about and I was also asking if its normal for a top spec Macbook pro to perform like this? Because i don't want defective goods (I bought it from apple store directly)

I doubt you bought a defective unit. To be fair, Tomb Raider is a very graphically-demanding game, even if it's from 2013. What's causing the game to run slowly with higher settings is the graphics card, not the processor (which is a very good one).

 

[lowendlinux]

It wasn't made for Mac it was made for consoles and ported over

 

[MacDjent]

I doubt you bought a defective unit. To be fair, Tomb Raider is a very graphically-demanding game, even if it's from 2013. What's causing the game to run slowly with higher settings is the graphics card, not the processor (which is a very good one).

I got what you mean fam

 

[snaky69]

Hello folks,



So two days ago I decided to upgrade my early 2011 Macbook pro to a new one, I bought the 15inch 16GB Ram 2.5GH I7 AMD Radeon R9 2GB graphic card one...simply put I bought the best Macbook pro on market, I bought the best one because I make video stuff and I record and mix music, which require some high specs. I know Macbook pro isn't for gaming, but there are games made for Mac such as Tomb Raider, and the game came out in 2013. I tried the game just to test my really expensive Macbook pro, I put the resolution to 1400X900, normal graphic setting and its smooth, but when i put it to high its lagging abit but still playable. Then I put the resolution to 2048X1280, the frame drop is more obvious and with high graphic setting its kinda hard for me to play. Then I cranked all the setttings up 2880X1880 resolution with ultra graphic, I can move but its basically unplayable, FPS is extremely low.



So is it normal for the most expensive Macbook pro on market, even with the normal high graphic setting (2048X1280 High graphic setting) of Tomb Raider that I still can't play the 2013 game smoothly? The game was literally made for Mac Im not even using bootcamp or visual machines. One more thing I noticed is whenever I play those 3d games the wind flow is quite loud as well, the laptop can get hot really quick.


MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2048 MB

You bought a laptop which already compromises gaming performance because laptops just don't have that much air in them to move around to cool themselves, and on top of that you bought an Apple laptop, which was never built with gaming in mind. That's really not an ideal situation.

To be fair Tomb Raider is very power hungry.

You should be playing in Windows, you're likely to get better performance. Games that are ported to Mac OS are usually done as an afterthought and poorly coded.

 

[MacDjent]

You bought a laptop which already compromises gaming performance because laptops just don't have that much air in them to move around to cool themselves, and on top of that you bought an Apple laptop, which was never built with gaming in mind. That's really not an ideal situation.

To be fair Tomb Raider is very power hungry.

You should be playing in Windows, you're likely to get better performance. Games that are ported to Mac OS are usually done as an afterthought and poorly coded.

Thanks for clearing my mind

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

To be noted you're also trying to run the the game 2048X1280 which is difficult for even 980 range graphic cards. There is no laptop at the size of the retina Macbook Pro that can run the game smoothly at the resolution with the medium graphic settings (Dell makes a similar laptop with 4K display and a 750m graphic cards which isn't in anyway going to play tomb raider at 4K). You're going to need a desktop to run at that resolution 60 FPS. Apple designed the laptop to effectively run at 1440*900 rather than at retina resolution. The extra resolution enables sharper UI icons and text while keeping performance hits low when using applications and games. Remember there aren't any 3D games for the retina iPads that even run at its original resolution (they are all up scaled from a lower resolution textures).

 

[MacDjent]

To be noted you're also trying to run the the game 2048X1280 which is difficult for even 980 range graphic cards. There is no laptop at the size of the retina Macbook Pro that can run the game smoothly at the resolution with the medium graphic settings (Dell makes a similar laptop with 4K display and a 750m graphic cards which is in anyway going to play tomb raider at 4K). You're going to need a desktop to run at that resolution 60 FPS. Apple designed the laptop to effectively run at 1440*900 rather than at retina resolution. The extra resolution enables sharper UI icons and text while keeping performance hits low when using applications and games. Remember there aren't any 3D games for the retina iPads that even run at its original resolution (they are all up scaled from a lower resolution textures).

Thanks for the information

 

[sakabaro]

Also you don't have the "best" macbook on the market, you may have max-out the processor 2.5 -> 2.8

 

[Studflower]

Just answer his question...

The rmbp graphics performance is terrible since it uses midrange DGPU that's 2 years old.
Nothing defective about your system. It'll run at that fps and at those temperatures/fan speeds.

 

[inhalexhale1]

Hello folks,



So two days ago I decided to upgrade my early 2011 Macbook pro to a new one, I bought the 15inch 16GB Ram 2.5GH I7 AMD Radeon R9 2GB graphic card one...simply put I bought the best Macbook pro on market, I bought the best one because I make video stuff and I record and mix music, which require some high specs. I know Macbook pro isn't for gaming, but there are games made for Mac such as Tomb Raider, and the game came out in 2013. I tried the game just to test my really expensive Macbook pro, I put the resolution to 1400X900, normal graphic setting and its smooth, but when i put it to high its lagging abit but still playable. Then I put the resolution to 2048X1280, the frame drop is more obvious and with high graphic setting its kinda hard for me to play. Then I cranked all the setttings up 2880X1880 resolution with ultra graphic, I can move but its basically unplayable, FPS is extremely low.



So is it normal for the most expensive Macbook pro on market, even with the normal high graphic setting (2048X1280 High graphic setting) of Tomb Raider that I still can't play the 2013 game smoothly? The game was literally made for Mac Im not even using bootcamp or visual machines. One more thing I noticed is whenever I play those 3d games the wind flow is quite loud as well, the laptop can get hot really quick.


MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2048 MB

It's normal. 2880x1880 with ultra is incredibly demanding, and that card cannot handle it. The GTX 680m in my iMac couldn't handle it! You're better off running games at half resolution (1440x900) or maybe 1080p. Everyone making these threads should realize that while you can run games, and they play well on certain Macs, that isn't a strong point.

 

[MacDjent]

Also you don't have the "best" macbook on the market, you may have max-out the processor 2.5 -> 2.8

Come on man......

 

[leman]

The 2015 macBook with the AMD GPU can comfortably play any game currently on the market. Using appropriate settings os course.

The problem is not the laptop. The problem is you for having unreasonable expectations. If you want to run games at super-high-ultra resolutions, go get yourself a gaming desktop.

 

[MacDjent]

The 2015 macBook with the AMD GPU can comfortably play any game currently on the market. Using appropriate settings os course.

The problem is not the laptop. The problem is you for having unreasonable expectations. If you want to run games at super-high-ultra resolutions, go get yourself a gaming desktop.

So you mean 2048x1280 resolution with normal graphic setting for 2013 Tomb Raider is an unreasonable expectation? To be honest I don't think thats what you meant super-ultra-high settings, correct me if I'm wrong sir

 

[Vermifuge]

So you mean 2048x1280 resolution with normal graphic setting for 2013 Tomb Raider is an unreasonable expectation? To be honest I don't think thats what you meant super-ultra-high settings, correct me if I'm wrong sir

Yes that's exactly what he is saying. Even the best modern video cards struggle at this resolution. The "R9" in the Macbook Pro is based on the 2012 Radeon HD 7700 (Cape Verde).

 

[inhalexhale1]

So you mean 2048x1280 resolution with normal graphic setting for 2013 Tomb Raider is an unreasonable expectation? To be honest I don't think thats what you meant super-ultra-high settings, correct me if I'm wrong sir

Is it a realistic expectation, or rather disappointing performance, for something you spent $2500+ on? Yes, and I get that. But you bought the rMBP, with an AMD GPU that is not high end. That's just the way it is. Not a gaming laptop.

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

So you mean 2048x1280 resolution with normal graphic setting for 2013 Tomb Raider is an unreasonable expectation? To be honest I don't think thats what you meant super-ultra-high settings, correct me if I'm wrong sir

Like I mentioned this is unreasonable for any laptop in this form factor. Even the Razer Blade laptops will struggle at this resolution with the graphic quality mentioned.

 

[yjchua95]

Hello folks,



So two days ago I decided to upgrade my early 2011 Macbook pro to a new one, I bought the 15inch 16GB Ram 2.5GH I7 AMD Radeon R9 2GB graphic card one...simply put I bought the best Macbook pro on market, I bought the best one because I make video stuff and I record and mix music, which require some high specs. I know Macbook pro isn't for gaming, but there are games made for Mac such as Tomb Raider, and the game came out in 2013. I tried the game just to test my really expensive Macbook pro, I put the resolution to 1400X900, normal graphic setting and its smooth, but when i put it to high its lagging abit but still playable. Then I put the resolution to 2048X1280, the frame drop is more obvious and with high graphic setting its kinda hard for me to play. Then I cranked all the setttings up 2880X1880 resolution with ultra graphic, I can move but its basically unplayable, FPS is extremely low.



So is it normal for the most expensive Macbook pro on market, even with the normal high graphic setting (2048X1280 High graphic setting) of Tomb Raider that I still can't play the 2013 game smoothly? The game was literally made for Mac Im not even using bootcamp or visual machines. One more thing I noticed is whenever I play those 3d games the wind flow is quite loud as well, the laptop can get hot really quick.


MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2048 MB

You're nuts if you're going to play at 2880x1800, even if you have a desktop GTX 980 card.

It just won't do it. You should be playing at around 1440x900 to 1680x1050. Even 1920x1200 is already pushing it.