Can I Run MiniMax M3 428B-A23B on Apple M1 Ultra?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
No. MiniMax M3 428B-A23B needs 263.6 GB at 8K context (258.4 GB weights + 5.2 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M1 Ultra has only 96 GB usable. No quantization we publish closes a gap that size.
Get a personalized upgrade path →
The numbers
| Model | MiniMax M3 428B-A23B |
| Parameters | 428B (23B active) |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 263.6 GB |
| Apple M1 Ultra usable memory | 96 GB |
| Verdict | Does not fit |
MiniMax M3 428B-A23B on the Apple M1 Ultra: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 128 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 861.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 459.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 356.1 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 308.5 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 263.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q3_K_M | 187.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q2_K | 145.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
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 Q4_K_M on the Apple M1 Ultra: 8K 263.6 GB ✗ · 32K 276.7 GB ✗ · 128K 329 GB ✗. Past 8K it no longer fits 128 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
What to do next
Either step down to a smaller size in this family, or move to a Apple M5 Ultra (512 GB), the card with the least memory we track that holds it.
No compatible GPU? MiniMax M3 428B-A23B on 192 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
MiniMax M3 428B-A23B needs ~264 GB but this GPU has 128 GB. Rent a 8× H100 (640 GB)-class GPU by the hour instead of buying one:
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
Cloud rates verified 2026-07 — estimates, and marketplace prices vary. Buying price is GPU MSRP only, not a full PC.
MiniMax M3 428B-A23B on nearby hardware
- NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell (96 GB) — does not fit
- Apple M2 Ultra (192 GB) — does not fit
All MiniMax M3 sizes on the Apple M1 Ultra | MiniMax M3 428B-A23B model page | Apple M1 Ultra GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware