Can I Run Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) on Apple M2 Pro?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated September 29, 2026
Yes. Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) needs 20 GB at 8K context (18.4 GB weights + 1.6 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M2 Pro has 24 GB usable, leaving about 4 GB of headroom, at roughly 40 tok/s (estimated) with room for up to 32K of context.
See what else this hardware can run →
The numbers
| Model | Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) |
| Parameters | 30B (3B active) |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 20 GB |
| Apple M2 Pro usable memory | 24 GB |
| Verdict | Runs |
| Max context | 32K |
| Estimated speed | ~40 tok/s |
Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) on the Apple M2 Pro: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 32 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 62.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 34 GB | ✗ No | — | Build for this |
| Q6_K | 26.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 23.2 GB | ✓ Yes | 8K | — |
| Q4_K_M | 20 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | Build for this |
| Q3_K_M | 14.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
| Q2_K | 11.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
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 32 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 Pro: 8K 20 GB · 32K 22.4 GB · 125K 31.8 GB ✗. Past 125K it no longer fits 32 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
What to do next
Nothing to change — run it at Q4_K_M. If you want more capability, check whether the next size up also fits.
No compatible GPU? Qwen 3 on 8 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs.
Running Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) on this card:
Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) needs ~20 GB but this GPU has 32 GB. Rent a RTX 4090 (24 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.
Other Qwen 3 sizes on the Apple M2 Pro
- Qwen 3 235B-A22B (MoE) — does not fit (144.3 GB)
- Qwen 3 32B — runs (22.8 GB)
- Qwen 3 14B — runs (11.1 GB)
- Qwen 3 8B — runs (7 GB)
Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) on nearby hardware
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24 GB) — runs
- Apple M3 Pro (36 GB) — runs
All Qwen 3 sizes on the Apple M2 Pro | Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) model page | Apple M2 Pro GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware