Can I Run North Mini Code on Apple M3?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated September 11, 2026
No — North Mini Code 1.0 30B-A3B at Q4_K_M needs 20.7 GB at 8K context (18.1 GB weights + 2.6 GB KV cache/overhead), and the Apple M3's 18 GB usable memory leaves it ~2.7 GB short. The cheapest card that runs it is the Intel Arc Pro B70 (32 GB).
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Apple M3 Specs
| VRAM | 24 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 100 GB/s |
North Mini Code 1.0 30B-A3B on the Apple M3: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 24 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 62.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 34.5 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 27.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 23.8 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 20.7 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q3_K_M | 15.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q2_K | 12.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
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 20.7 GB ✗ · 32K 26 GB ✗ · 128K 47.4 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? North Mini Code 1.0 30B-A3B on 16 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Why It Does Not Fit
Every North Mini Code variant requires more VRAM than the Apple M3 provides (24 GB).
Nearest GPU That Fits
Intel Arc Pro B70 (32 GB VRAM).
North Mini Code needs ~21 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
Will North Mini Code run on the Apple M3?
No — North Mini Code 1.0 30B-A3B at Q4_K_M needs 20.7 GB at 8K context (18.1 GB weights + 2.6 GB KV cache/overhead), and the Apple M3's 18 GB usable memory leaves it ~2.7 GB short. The cheapest card that runs it is the Intel Arc Pro B70 (32 GB).
What GPU should I get instead to run North Mini Code?
The Intel Arc Pro B70 (32 GB VRAM) is the cheapest upgrade that fits it.
North Mini Code on Other GPUs
- North Mini Code on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- North Mini Code on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- North Mini Code on AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
- North Mini Code on Apple M4 Pro
- North Mini Code on Apple M2
VRAM Tier
Troubleshooting
- Ollama: "model requires more system memory than is available"
- Which GGUF quant should I download? (Q4 vs Q5 vs Q8)
Buying Guide
← Can I Run It? | North Mini Code Model Page | Apple M3 GPU Page | VRAM calculator | Check Your Hardware