Can I Run Cosmos 3 Edge on Apple M1?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 21, 2026
Yes. Cosmos 3 Edge needs 9.7 GB at 8K context (8 GB weights + 1.7 GB KV cache/overhead) at BF16 and the Apple M1 has 12 GB usable, leaving about 2.3 GB of headroom, at roughly 8 tok/s (estimated).
See what else this hardware can run →
The numbers
| Model | Cosmos 3 Edge |
| Parameters | 4B |
| Quantization | BF16 |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 9.7 GB |
| Apple M1 usable memory | 12 GB |
| Verdict | Runs |
| Estimated speed | ~8 tok/s |
Cosmos 3 Edge on the Apple M1: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 16 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 9.7 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q8_0 | 6 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q6_K | 5 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q5_K_M | 4.5 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q4_K_M | 4.1 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 3.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q2_K | 3 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
Assumes an 8K-token context with an f16 KV cache, on an estimated architecture — this model publishes no config we can read. 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 BF16 on the Apple M1: 8K 9.7 GB · 16K 10.6 GB. Every window this model publishes still fits 16 GB.
What to do next
Nothing to change — run it at BF16. If you want more capability, check whether the next size up also fits.
No compatible GPU? Cosmos 3 Edge on 8 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Running Cosmos 3 Edge on this card:
Cosmos 3 Edge needs ~10 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.
Other Cosmos 3 sizes on the Apple M1
- Cosmos 3 Super — does not fit (131.1 GB)
- Cosmos 3 Nano — runs at a lower quant (34.2 GB)
Cosmos 3 Edge on nearby hardware
- Intel Arc B580 (12 GB) — runs
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20 GB) — runs
All Cosmos 3 sizes on the Apple M1 | Cosmos 3 Edge model page | Apple M1 GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware