Can I Run Gemma 3 4B Instruct on Apple M4?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
Yes. Gemma 3 4B Instruct needs 4.4 GB at 8K context (2.4 GB weights + 2 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M4 has 24 GB usable, leaving about 19.6 GB of headroom, at roughly 21 tok/s (estimated) with room for up to 128K of context.
See what else this hardware can run →
The numbers
| Model | Gemma 3 4B Instruct |
| Parameters | 4B |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 4.4 GB |
| Apple M4 usable memory | 24 GB |
| Verdict | Runs |
| Max context | 128K |
| Estimated speed | ~21 tok/s |
Gemma 3 4B Instruct on the Apple M4: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 32 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 9.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
| Q8_0 | 6.2 GB | ✓ Yes | 128K | — |
| Q6_K | 5.2 GB | ✓ Yes | 128K | — |
| Q5_K_M | 4.8 GB | ✓ Yes | 128K | — |
| Q4_K_M | 4.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 128K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 3.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 128K | — |
| Q2_K | 3.3 GB | ✓ Yes | 128K | — |
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 M4: 8K 4.4 GB · 32K 7.8 GB · 128K 21.5 GB. Every window this model publishes still fits 32 GB.
What to do next
Nothing to change — run it at Q4_K_M. If you want more capability, check whether the next size up also fits.
No compatible GPU? Gemma 3 4B Instruct on 8 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Running Gemma 3 4B Instruct on this card:
Gemma 3 4B Instruct needs ~4 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.
Other Gemma 3 sizes on the Apple M4
- Gemma 3 27B Instruct — runs at a lower quant (25.4 GB)
- Gemma 3 12B Instruct — runs (11.1 GB)
- Gemma 3 1B Instruct — runs (2 GB)
Gemma 3 4B Instruct on nearby hardware
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24 GB) — runs
- Apple M3 Pro (36 GB) — runs
All Gemma 3 sizes on the Apple M4 | Gemma 3 4B Instruct model page | Apple M4 GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware