Can I Run Llama 4 on Apple M3 Ultra?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
Yes, comfortably — Llama 4 Maverick 17B at Q4_K_M needs 243.9 GB at 8K context (241.5 GB weights + 2.4 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~140.1 GB of the Apple M3 Ultra's 384 GB usable memory, at ~36 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 512K context.
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Apple M3 Ultra Specs
| VRAM | 512 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 819 GB/s |
Llama 4 Maverick 17B on the Apple M3 Ultra: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 512 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 802.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 427.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 330.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 256K | — |
| Q5_K_M | 285.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 256K | — |
| Q4_K_M | 243.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 512K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 172.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 1M | — |
| Q2_K | 133.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 1M | — |
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 512 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 Ultra: 8K 243.9 GB · 32K 248.7 GB · 128K 268.1 GB. Every window this model publishes still fits 512 GB.
No compatible GPU? Llama 4 on 48 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Llama 4 Sizes That Fit the Apple M3 Ultra (at 8K context)
| Llama 4 Maverick 17B | Q4_K_M · 243.9 GB at 8K context · ~36 tok/s (est.) |
| Llama 4 Scout 17B | Q4_K_M · 68.2 GB at 8K context · ~36 tok/s (est.) |
Llama 4 needs ~244 GB but this GPU has 512 GB. Rent a 8× H100 (640 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 Ultra have enough VRAM for Llama 4?
Yes, comfortably — Llama 4 Maverick 17B at Q4_K_M needs 243.9 GB at 8K context (241.5 GB weights + 2.4 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~140.1 GB of the Apple M3 Ultra's 384 GB usable memory, at ~36 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 512K context.
Which quantization of Llama 4 should I use on the Apple M3 Ultra?
Llama 4 Maverick 17B at Q4_K_M quantization needs 243.9 GB at 8K context (241.5 GB weights + 2.4 GB KV cache/overhead), estimated ~36 tokens/sec, up to 512K context.
Every Llama 4 size on the Apple M3 Ultra
| Size | VRAM at 8K | Verdict | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llama 4 Maverick 17B | 243.9 GB | Runs | ~36 tok/s |
| Llama 4 Scout 17B | 68.2 GB | Runs | ~36 tok/s |
Llama 4 on Other GPUs
Popular Models on the Apple M3 Ultra
VRAM Tier
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← Can I Run It? | Llama 4 Model Page | Apple M3 Ultra GPU Page | VRAM calculator | Check Your Hardware