Can I Run Llama 4 Maverick 17B on Apple M5?
Autor: Jakub Rusinowski · Ostatnia aktualizacja: 12 lipca 2026
No. Llama 4 Maverick 17B needs 243.9 GB at 8K context (241.5 GB weights + 2.4 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M5 has only 24 GB usable. No quantization we publish closes a gap that size.
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The numbers
| Model | Llama 4 Maverick 17B |
| Parameters | 17B active / 400B total |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 243.9 GB |
| Apple M5 usable memory | 24 GB |
| Verdict | Does not fit |
Llama 4 Maverick 17B on the Apple M5: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 32 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 802.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 427.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 330.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 285.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 243.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q3_K_M | 172.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q2_K | 133.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
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 M5: 8K 243.9 GB ✗ · 32K 248.7 GB ✗ · 128K 268.1 GB ✗. Past 8K 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
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? Llama 4 on 48 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Llama 4 Maverick 17B needs ~244 GB but this GPU has 32 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.
Other Llama 4 sizes on the Apple M5
- Llama 4 Scout 17B — does not fit (68.2 GB)
Llama 4 Maverick 17B on nearby hardware
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (24 GB) — does not fit
- Apple M3 Pro (36 GB) — does not fit
All Llama 4 sizes on the Apple M5 | Llama 4 Maverick 17B model page | Apple M5 GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware