Can I Run Cogito v1 on Apple M1 Pro?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
Yes, but it's tight — Cogito v1 32B at Q4_K_M needs 22.3 GB at 8K context (19.3 GB weights + 3 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~1.7 GB of the Apple M1 Pro's 24 GB usable memory, at ~5 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 8K context.
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Apple M1 Pro Specs
| VRAM | 32 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 200 GB/s |
Cogito v1 32B on the Apple M1 Pro: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 32 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 66.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 36.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 29.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 25.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 22.3 GB | ✓ Yes | 8K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 16.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
| Q2_K | 13.5 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
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 32 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 Pro: 8K 22.3 GB · 32K 28.7 GB ✗ · 128K 54.5 GB ✗. Past 32K it no longer fits 32 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
No compatible GPU? Cogito v1 32B on 32 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs comfortably.
Cogito v1 Sizes That Fit the Apple M1 Pro (at 8K context)
| Cogito v1 32B | Q4_K_M · 22.3 GB at 8K context · ~5 tok/s (est.) |
| Cogito v1 14B | Q4_K_M · 10.9 GB at 8K context · ~11 tok/s (est.) |
| Cogito v1 8B | Q4_K_M · 6.7 GB at 8K context · ~19 tok/s (est.) |
| Cogito v1 3B | Q4_K_M · 3.6 GB at 8K context · ~42 tok/s (est.) |
Cogito v1 needs ~22 GB but this GPU has 32 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
Is the Apple M1 Pro enough to run Cogito v1 locally?
Yes, but it's tight — Cogito v1 32B at Q4_K_M needs 22.3 GB at 8K context (19.3 GB weights + 3 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~1.7 GB of the Apple M1 Pro's 24 GB usable memory, at ~5 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 8K context.
What's the best Cogito v1 size for the Apple M1 Pro?
Cogito v1 32B at Q4_K_M quantization needs 22.3 GB at 8K context (19.3 GB weights + 3 GB KV cache/overhead), estimated ~5 tokens/sec, up to 8K context.
Every Cogito v1 size on the Apple M1 Pro
| Size | VRAM at 8K | Verdict | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cogito v1 70B | 45.7 GB | Does not fit | — |
| Cogito v1 32B | 22.3 GB | Runs | ~5 tok/s |
| Cogito v1 14B | 10.9 GB | Runs | ~11 tok/s |
| Cogito v1 8B | 6.7 GB | Runs | ~19 tok/s |
| Cogito v1 3B | 3.6 GB | Runs | ~42 tok/s |
Cogito v1 on Other GPUs
- Cogito v1 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- Cogito v1 on Apple M4
- Cogito v1 on Apple M2 Pro
- Cogito v1 on Apple M5
- Cogito v1 on Apple M3 Pro
Popular Models on the Apple M1 Pro
VRAM Tier
Troubleshooting
- Ollama: "model requires more system memory than is available"
- Which GGUF quant should I download? (Q4 vs Q5 vs Q8)
Buying Guide
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