Can I Run Codestral on Apple M1?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
Only with offload — Codestral 22B at Q4_K_M needs 16.1 GB at 8K context (13.4 GB weights + 2.7 GB KV cache/overhead) against the Apple M1's 12 GB usable memory, so part of it spills onto CPU/system RAM and speed drops sharply.
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Apple M1 Specs
| VRAM | 16 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 68 GB/s |
Codestral 22B on the Apple M1: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 16 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 47.1 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 26.3 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 20.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 18.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 16.1 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q3_K_M | 12.1 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q2_K | 10 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
Assumes an 8K-token context with an f16 KV cache. A longer window needs more; a quantized KV cache needs less. “Max context” is the largest window that still fits in 16 GB of unified memory. Figures are estimates from parameter count, quantization and memory bandwidth — the analyzer lets you tune KV-cache quant and context.
Context costs VRAM too. At Q4_K_M on the Apple M1: 8K 16.1 GB ✗ · 32K 21.7 GB ✗. Past 8K it no longer fits 16 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
No compatible GPU? Codestral 22B on 16 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Why It Does Not Fit
Every Codestral variant requires more VRAM than the Apple M1 provides (16 GB).
Nearest GPU That Fits
AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20 GB VRAM).
Codestral needs ~16 GB but this GPU has 16 GB. Rent a RTX 4090 (24 GB)-class GPU by the hour instead of buying one:
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Cloud rates verified 2026-07 — estimates, and marketplace prices vary. Buying price is GPU MSRP only, not a full PC.
FAQ
Codestral on the Apple M1 — does it fit?
Only with offload — Codestral 22B at Q4_K_M needs 16.1 GB at 8K context (13.4 GB weights + 2.7 GB KV cache/overhead) against the Apple M1's 12 GB usable memory, so part of it spills onto CPU/system RAM and speed drops sharply.
What GPU should I get instead to run Codestral?
The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20 GB VRAM) is the cheapest upgrade that fits it.
Codestral on Other GPUs
- Codestral on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080
- Codestral on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Codestral on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
- Codestral on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super
- Codestral on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
Popular Models on the Apple M1
VRAM Tier
Troubleshooting
- Ollama: "model requires more system memory than is available"
- Out of memory at long context (the KV cache, not the weights)
Buying Guide
← Can I Run It? | Codestral Model Page | Apple M1 GPU Page | VRAM calculator | Check Your Hardware