Cyberpunk 2077 performance on multiple Apple Silicon generations varies, delivering frames per second (fps) ranging from approximately 13 to 105 at 1080p resolution, contingent on specific Mac configurations and game settings used for testing

Cyberpunk 2077 performance on multiple Apple Silicon generations varies, delivering frames per second (fps) ranging from approximately 13 to 105 at 1080p resolution, contingent on specific Mac configurations and game settings used for testing

CD Projekt Red has unveiled detailed system requirements for the *Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition* on Apple Silicon Macs. The game is compatible with all M-series Macs running macOS Sequoia 15.5 or later, but performance varies significantly depending on the model and RAM configuration.

## Minimum, Recommended, and High Fidelity Specifications

The game's minimum requirements suggest an M1 Mac with 16GB RAM, which can run at 30 FPS with 900p upscaled resolution using MetalFX Dynamic Resolution Scaling (DRS). The recommended specifications, however, call for an M3 Pro with 18GB RAM, targeting 60 FPS at 1080p. For high-fidelity gameplay, M2 Ultra or M3 Max with at least 36GB RAM are recommended, aiming for 60 FPS at 1440p.

## Performance on Key Mac Models

Andrew Tsai, a Mac gamer and YouTube creator, tested Cyberpunk 2077 on four different Macs: an M4 MacBook Pro (16GB / 10-core GPU), an M3 Max MacBook Pro (48GB / 40-core GPU), an M1 Max MacBook Pro (32GB / 32-core GPU), and an M1 MacBook Air (8GB / 8-core GPU).

The M4 MacBook Pro delivered outstanding performance, exceeding the "Very High Fidelity" requirements, delivering 1440p 60 FPS with high settings and ray tracing possible (with performance impact). The M3 Max MacBook Pro met the "High Fidelity" requirements, likely achieving 1440p 60 FPS at high settings, with ray tracing available but potentially reducing frame rates.

The M1 Max MacBook Pro fell between the "Recommended" and "High Fidelity" tiers, expecting 1080p 60 FPS with some settings tweaks or upscaling, or 1440p at lower FPS. The first-generation M1 MacBook Air did not perform well, achieving a little over 12 FPS.

## Additional Notes

- MetalFX Upscaling: Essential for hitting target frame rates, especially on less powerful models. Enabled by default, it upscales a lower internal resolution for smoother performance. - Real-World Benchmarks: Early tests show that while Macs lag behind high-end gaming PCs, careful tuning and MetalFX DRS can deliver respectable framerates, even on older M1 Max hardware. - "For This Mac" Preset: The game auto-adjusts settings for your hardware, but manual tweaking may yield better results on high-end models.

## Summary

For the best experience, aim for an M3 Pro (18GB RAM) or better, ideally an M3 Max/M4 Max with at least 36GB RAM for 1440p 60 FPS and higher visual fidelity. The M1 Max MacBook Pro is solid for 1080p gaming, but expect compromises at higher resolutions. The M1 MacBook Air is only suitable for casual, low-settings gameplay at reduced resolution and frame rate. Ray tracing is possible on high-end models but comes with a performance penalty; best reserved for M3 Ultra/M4 Max systems.

Performance is highly dependent on RAM, MetalFX upscaling, and manual settings adjustment—especially for models near the minimum spec. For serious gamers, the latest M3 and M4 MacBook Pros are the clear choice for Cyberpunk 2077 on macOS. Andrew expects the FPS numbers to improve over the coming months as the developers optimize the game more for Apple Silicon.

1. To achieve high-quality performance while playing Cyberpunk 2077 on a Mac, one should consider owning an M3 Pro or a more advanced model that offers 18GB RAM or more for a 1440p 60 FPS gaming experience.
2. When it comes to playing Cyberpunk 2077 on a Mac, the latest M3 and M4 MacBook Pros are the recommended choice for serious gamers, as they provide the best overall performance, especially for 1440p gameplay.

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