Introduction to Benchmarking for Mac Gamers
It has been a few weeks since Apple’s WWDC 2025 event, and while the company did announce a new Games app that will be included in the upcoming macOS Tahoe, there wasn’t much news on forthcoming titles that Mac gamers can look forward to playing. However, one important games-related announcement during the event might have gone under the radar. UL Solutions launched a new Mac version of its 3DMark benchmarking app, which is significant for Mac gamers as it reflects the growing recognition of Macs as a serious gaming platform.
DIY Benchmarking for Mac Gamers
Some games, including titles like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077, come with their own built-in benchmarking tools. These tools allow you to test your Mac’s performance and see the frames-per-second (FPS) score while running the game. They are useful for experimenting with different graphics settings to find the best balance between quality and performance for your specific Mac model. However, these tools only work within individual games and don’t provide much information about how your Mac will perform with other games or how it compares to other devices.
For PC gamers using Steam, there is an option to show framerates in-game. Unfortunately, the Mac version of Steam can be unreliable, and its FPS counter disappeared around 2023. But during WWDC, Valve announced a new version of Steam optimized for the latest Macs with Apple Silicon processors, which should improve reliability in the future.
Apple’s Metal HUD for Performance Testing
Apple provides its own option for testing gaming performance through the Metal HUD, part of the Metal software used to display 3D graphics on Macs. Originally designed for developers, the Metal HUD can be activated via the Terminal app by entering the command:
/bin/launchctl setenv MTL_HUD_ENABLED 1
After launching a game with 3D graphics, the Metal HUD appears, showing technical details such as screen resolution, refresh rate, and average FPS. This allows you to adjust settings within any game to observe performance changes. To turn it off, use the command:
/bin/launchctl setenv MTL_HUD_ENABLED 0
Using Geekbench 6 for Performance Evaluation
Geekbench 6 is a popular tool available on Macs for many years, supporting Windows, Linux, and Android. It offers CPU and GPU benchmarks, providing a general overview of your Mac’s performance. While the GPU tests focus more on 2D graphics tasks, they still offer useful insights. The free version is available for download, with a Pro version costing $99.00 for regular testing needs.
3DMark for Mac Gaming Performance
Mac gamers may already know that 3DMark is available on the Mac App Store, but it was designed for the iPad and not verified for Mac. The new version, however, is available on Steam and specifically written for the latest Mac models with Apple Silicon processors. A demo version is free, and the full version costs £29.50/$34.99, offering features like adjustable screen resolutions for tests.
The four main tests currently available for macOS include Steel Nomad, Steel Nomad Light, WildLife Extreme, and Solar Bay. These tests assess 3D graphics performance, with Solar Bay focusing on ray-tracing, a technique used in modern games like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Ray-tracing requires powerful hardware, and Solar Bay is designed for the latest Macs and high-end iPad models with M3 or M4 processors.
Conclusion
Most of these benchmarking tools are free to use or offer useful demos, allowing you to evaluate your Mac’s performance without additional costs. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a tech enthusiast, these tools can help you understand how well your Mac handles the latest games and compare it with other devices.