Can I Run GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 on Apple M2 Max?

Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated September 29, 2026

Yes, comfortably — GLM-5.1 72B at Q4_K_M needs 46.7 GB at 8K context (43.5 GB weights + 3.2 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~25.3 GB of the Apple M2 Max's 72 GB usable memory, at ~5 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 64K context.

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Buy this hardware Apple Mac Studio M2 Max — 96 GB VRAM · 40 W board powerDeploy in the cloud now NVIDIA A40 on RunPod — from $0.44/hr · rate checked 2026-08

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Apple Mac Studio M2 Max
96 GB VRAM · 40 W board power
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Apple M2 Max Specs

VRAM96 GB unified memory
Memory Bandwidth400 GB/s

GLM-5.1 72B on the Apple M2 Max: VRAM by quantization

QuantVRAM neededFits 96 GB?Max contextWhole PC
F16147.2 GB✗ No——
Q8_079.7 GB✗ No——
Q6_K62.3 GB✓ Yes32K—
Q5_K_M54.2 GB✓ Yes64K—
Q4_K_M46.7 GB✓ Yes64K—
Q3_K_M33.9 GB✓ Yes64K—
Q2_K26.9 GB✓ Yes64K—

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 96 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 Max: 8K 46.7 GB · 32K 53.9 GB · 125K 82 GB ✗. Past 125K it no longer fits 96 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.

No compatible GPU? GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 on 8 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.

GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 Sizes That Fit the Apple M2 Max (at 8K context)

GLM-5.1 72BQ4_K_M · 46.7 GB at 8K context · ~5 tok/s (est.)
GLM-5 32BQ4_K_M · 22 GB at 8K context · ~10 tok/s (est.)
GLM-5 9BQ4_K_M · 7.4 GB at 8K context · ~33 tok/s (est.)
Won't fit — rent GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 instead

GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 needs ~47 GB but this GPU has 96 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.

FAQ

Can I run GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 on the Apple M2 Max?

Yes, comfortably — GLM-5.1 72B at Q4_K_M needs 46.7 GB at 8K context (43.5 GB weights + 3.2 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~25.3 GB of the Apple M2 Max's 72 GB usable memory, at ~5 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 64K context.

What's the best GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 size for the Apple M2 Max?

GLM-5.1 72B at Q4_K_M quantization needs 46.7 GB at 8K context (43.5 GB weights + 3.2 GB KV cache/overhead), estimated ~5 tokens/sec, up to 64K context.

GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 on Other GPUs

Popular Models on the Apple M2 Max

VRAM Tier

Troubleshooting

Buying Guide

← Can I Run It? | GLM-5 / GLM-5.1 Model Page | Apple M2 Max GPU Page | VRAM calculator | Check Your Hardware