Can I Run Command R (35B) on Apple M2?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
No. Command R (35B) needs 32.7 GB at 8K context (21.1 GB weights + 11.6 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M2 has only 18 GB usable. No quantization we publish closes a gap that size.
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The numbers
| Model | Command R (35B) |
| Parameters | 35B |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 32.7 GB |
| Apple M2 usable memory | 18 GB |
| Verdict | Does not fit |
Command R (35B) on the Apple M2: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 24 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 81.5 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 48.7 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 40.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 36.3 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 32.7 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q3_K_M | 26.5 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q2_K | 23 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 24 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: 8K 32.7 GB ✗ · 32K 64.9 GB ✗ · 125K 189.7 GB ✗. Past 8K it no longer fits 24 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 6000 Ada Generation (48 GB), the card with the least memory we track that holds it.
No compatible GPU? Command R Family on 256 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but too slowly to be worth it.
Cheapest card we track with enough VRAM for Command R (35B):
Command R (35B) needs ~33 GB but this GPU has 24 GB. Rent a A100 (40 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 M2
- Command R+ (104B) — does not fit (65.7 GB)
Command R (35B) on nearby hardware
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20 GB) — does not fit
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (32 GB) — runs at a lower quant
All Command R Family sizes on the Apple M2 | Command R (35B) model page | Apple M2 GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware