Can I Run Cosmos 3 on Apple M3 Max?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated September 29, 2026
Yes, comfortably — Cosmos 3 Nano at BF16 needs 34.2 GB at 8K context (32 GB weights + 2.2 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~61.8 GB of the Apple M3 Max's 96 GB usable memory, at ~13 tok/s (est.).
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Apple M3 Max Specs
| VRAM | 128 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 400 GB/s |
Cosmos 3 Nano on the Apple M3 Max: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 128 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 34.2 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q8_0 | 19.2 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q6_K | 15.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q5_K_M | 13.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q4_K_M | 11.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 9.1 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q2_K | 7.5 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 128 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 M3 Max: 8K 34.2 GB · 16K 35.7 GB. Every window this model publishes still fits 128 GB.
No compatible GPU? Cosmos 3 Nano on 16 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Cosmos 3 Sizes That Fit the Apple M3 Max (at 8K context)
| Cosmos 3 Nano | BF16 · 34.2 GB at 8K context · ~13 tok/s (est.) |
| Cosmos 3 Edge | BF16 · 9.7 GB at 8K context · ~43 tok/s (est.) |
Cosmos 3 needs ~34 GB but this GPU has 128 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.
FAQ
Does the Apple M3 Max have enough VRAM for Cosmos 3?
Yes, comfortably — Cosmos 3 Nano at BF16 needs 34.2 GB at 8K context (32 GB weights + 2.2 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~61.8 GB of the Apple M3 Max's 96 GB usable memory, at ~13 tok/s (est.).
Which quantization of Cosmos 3 should I use on the Apple M3 Max?
Cosmos 3 Nano at BF16 quantization needs 34.2 GB at 8K context (32 GB weights + 2.2 GB KV cache/overhead), estimated ~13 tokens/sec.
Every Cosmos 3 size on the Apple M3 Max
| Size | VRAM at 8K | Verdict | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmos 3 Super | 131.1 GB | Runs at Q8_0 | — |
| Cosmos 3 Nano | 34.2 GB | Runs | ~13 tok/s |
| Cosmos 3 Edge | 9.7 GB | Runs | ~43 tok/s |
Popular Models on the Apple M3 Max
VRAM Tier
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