Can I Run Cogito v1 70B on Apple M2 Max?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated September 29, 2026
Yes. Cogito v1 70B needs 45.7 GB at 8K context (42.3 GB weights + 3.4 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M2 Max has 72 GB usable, leaving about 26.3 GB of headroom, at roughly 5 tok/s (estimated) with room for up to 64K of context.
See what else this hardware can run →
The numbers
| Model | Cogito v1 70B |
| Parameters | 70B |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 45.7 GB |
| Apple M2 Max usable memory | 72 GB |
| Verdict | Runs |
| Max context | 64K |
| Estimated speed | ~5 tok/s |
Cogito v1 70B on the Apple M2 Max: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 96 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 143.5 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 77.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 60.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
| Q5_K_M | 53.1 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
| Q4_K_M | 45.7 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 33.3 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
| Q2_K | 26.5 GB | ✓ Yes | 128K | — |
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 96 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 M2 Max: 8K 45.7 GB · 32K 53.8 GB · 128K 86 GB ✗. Past 128K it no longer fits 96 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
What to do next
Nothing to change — run it at Q4_K_M. If you want more capability, check whether the next size up also fits.
No compatible GPU? Cogito v1 on 8 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs.
Running Cogito v1 70B on this card:
Cogito v1 70B needs ~46 GB but this GPU has 96 GB. Rent a A100 (80 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.
Other Cogito v1 sizes on the Apple M2 Max
- Cogito v1 32B — runs (22.3 GB)
- Cogito v1 14B — runs (10.9 GB)
- Cogito v1 8B — runs (6.7 GB)
- Cogito v1 3B — runs (3.6 GB)
Cogito v1 70B on nearby hardware
- NVIDIA H100 80GB (PCIe) (80 GB) — runs
- Apple M3 Max (128 GB) — runs
All Cogito v1 sizes on the Apple M2 Max | Cogito v1 70B model page | Apple M2 Max GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware