Can I Run IBM Granite 4.0 on Apple M3?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated August 15, 2026
Only with offload — Granite 4.0 Small-H 32B-A9B at Q4_K_M needs 22 GB at 8K context (19.3 GB weights + 2.7 GB KV cache/overhead) against the Apple M3's 18 GB usable memory, so part of it spills onto CPU/system RAM and speed drops sharply.
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Apple M3 Specs
| VRAM | 24 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 100 GB/s |
Granite 4.0 Small-H 32B-A9B on the Apple M3: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 24 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 66.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 36.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 28.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 25.3 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 22 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q3_K_M | 16.3 GB | ✓ Yes | 8K | — |
| Q2_K | 13.2 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 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 M3: 8K 22 GB ✗ · 32K 27.5 GB ✗ · 128K 49.6 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.
No compatible GPU? Granite 4.0 Small-H 32B-A9B on 24 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs.
Why It Does Not Fit
Every IBM Granite 4.0 variant requires more VRAM than the Apple M3 provides (24 GB).
Nearest GPU That Fits
Intel Arc Pro B70 (32 GB VRAM).
IBM Granite 4.0 needs ~22 GB but this GPU has 24 GB. Rent a RTX 4090 (24 GB)-class GPU by the hour instead of buying one:
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FAQ
Can I run IBM Granite 4.0 on the Apple M3?
Only with offload — Granite 4.0 Small-H 32B-A9B at Q4_K_M needs 22 GB at 8K context (19.3 GB weights + 2.7 GB KV cache/overhead) against the Apple M3's 18 GB usable memory, so part of it spills onto CPU/system RAM and speed drops sharply.
What's the cheapest GPU that runs IBM Granite 4.0?
The Intel Arc Pro B70 (32 GB VRAM) is the cheapest upgrade that fits it.
IBM Granite 4.0 on Other GPUs
- IBM Granite 4.0 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- IBM Granite 4.0 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- IBM Granite 4.0 on AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
- IBM Granite 4.0 on Apple M4 Pro
- IBM Granite 4.0 on Apple M2
VRAM Tier
Troubleshooting
- Ollama: "model requires more system memory than is available"
- Out of memory at long context (the KV cache, not the weights)
Buying Guide
← Can I Run It? | IBM Granite 4.0 Model Page | Apple M3 GPU Page | Check Your Hardware