Can I Run Yi 1.5 34B Chat on Apple M5?
Autor: Jakub Rusinowski · Ostatnia aktualizacja: 12 lipca 2026
Yes, but it's tight. Yi 1.5 34B Chat needs 23.6 GB at 8K context (20.8 GB weights + 2.8 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M5 has 24 GB usable, leaving about 0.4 GB of headroom, at roughly 4 tok/s (estimated) with room for up to 8K of context.
See what else this hardware can run →
The numbers
| Model | Yi 1.5 34B Chat |
| Parameters | 34B |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 23.6 GB |
| Apple M5 usable memory | 24 GB |
| Verdict | Runs |
| Max context | 8K |
| Estimated speed | ~4 tok/s |
Yi 1.5 34B Chat on the Apple M5: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 32 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 71.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 39.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 31 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 27.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 23.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 8K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 17.5 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q2_K | 14.1 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
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 23.6 GB · 31K 29.4 GB ✗. Past 31K 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? Yi 1.5 34B Chat on 32 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs comfortably.
Running Yi 1.5 34B Chat on this card:
Yi 1.5 34B Chat needs ~24 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 Yi 1.5 Family sizes on the Apple M5
- Yi 1.5 9B Chat — runs (6.9 GB)
Yi 1.5 34B Chat on nearby hardware
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24 GB) — runs
- Apple M3 Pro (36 GB) — runs
All Yi 1.5 Family sizes on the Apple M5 | Yi 1.5 34B Chat model page | Apple M5 GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware