Can I Run Command R+ (104B) on Apple M5?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
No. Command R+ (104B) needs 65.7 GB at 8K context (62.8 GB weights + 2.9 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M5 has only 24 GB usable. No quantization we publish closes a gap that size.
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The numbers
| Model | Command R+ (104B) |
| Parameters | 104B |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 65.7 GB |
| Apple M5 usable memory | 24 GB |
| Verdict | Does not fit |
Command R+ (104B) on the Apple M5: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 32 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 210.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 113.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 88.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 76.7 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 65.7 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q3_K_M | 47.3 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q2_K | 37.1 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
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 M5: 8K 65.7 GB ✗ · 32K 72.2 GB ✗ · 125K 97.1 GB ✗. Past 8K it no longer fits 32 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
What to do next
Either step down to a smaller size in this family, or move to a NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell (72 GB) (72 GB), the card with the least memory we track that holds it.
No compatible GPU? Command R+ (104B) on 256 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but too slowly to be worth it.
Command R+ (104B) needs ~66 GB but this GPU has 32 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 Command R Family sizes on the Apple M5
- Command R (35B) — runs at a lower quant (32.7 GB)
Command R+ (104B) on nearby hardware
- Apple M2 (24 GB) — does not fit
- Apple M3 Pro (36 GB) — does not fit
All Command R Family sizes on the Apple M5 | Command R+ (104B) model page | Apple M5 GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware