In a surprising turn of events, Apple’s M4 Max processor, hailed as one of the most powerful chips for Macs, has shown disappointing performance when running the much-anticipated Stalker 2. Despite being equipped with cutting-edge hardware, Apple's latest SoC (System on Chip) failed to impress when put to the test with one of the more demanding titles of 2024.
Stalker 2 is undeniably a heavy game, especially when considering its intricate open-world environments and cutting-edge graphical features. It's a game that tests the limits of even high-end GPUs, but it’s not something that should necessarily be beyond reach for a machine like the MacBook Pro with the M4 Max. After all, the game can run reasonably well on older, mid-tier GPUs like NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060 and various AMD options. However, the results from YouTuber Denis Gladkikh’s testing tell a different story.
The Test
Gladkikh’s tests were conducted on a MacBook Pro with the Apple M4 Max chip. He used a medium preset with a resolution of 1600x900, which is not exactly demanding by modern standards. However, even with these modest settings, the MacBook Pro struggled to deliver solid performance. According to the video, the game only managed to reach an average of 30-40 FPS, which is far from ideal for a smooth gaming experience.
Considering the hefty price tag of the MacBook Pro—topping $3,200 in some markets—these performance figures are especially underwhelming. At this price point, one would expect better results, even with a demanding game like Stalker 2.
The Native Issue
It’s worth noting that the MacBook Pro does not natively support Stalker 2. Gladkikh was forced to use an emulator, along with tools like CrossOver and GPT2 files, to get the game running. While this workaround is a testament to the Mac’s flexibility, it does raise some questions about how the hardware is being utilized. If the game were optimized for macOS or run natively, the performance could potentially be better. However, there are no guarantees, and the lack of native support could very well be a major factor in the disappointing results.
Stalker 2’s Performance Issues
It’s also important to note that Stalker 2 itself has been plagued by performance issues since its release. The game has been criticized for bugs and optimization problems that affect performance across all platforms, including high-end PCs. While this doesn’t excuse the MacBook Pro’s underwhelming numbers, it does offer some context for why the game is struggling in general.
The combination of these factors—an emulator, lack of native support, and the game’s own performance issues—makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the M4 Max’s gaming capabilities. However, the results so far are certainly disappointing for Apple fans who had hoped that the M4 Max would be capable of delivering smooth performance for high-end gaming.
The Takeaway
So, what can we take away from this? While Apple’s M4 Max is undoubtedly a powerful chip for many professional tasks, including video editing, 3D rendering, and app development, it appears that the MacBook Pro still has a long way to go when it comes to gaming. The disappointing performance in Stalker 2, even on low settings, shows that Apple’s Silicon chips may not yet be optimized for the most demanding gaming experiences.
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