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text model · Llama 3.2 Vision · macOS

Can I run Llama 3.2 Vision 11B on Apple M1 (8GB)?

Compatibility verdict VRAM threshold engine
No, not enough memorywould not load

No. Llama 3.2 Vision 11B needs ~9 GB even at Q4_K_M, but Apple M1 (8GB) only has ~5.5 GB usable.

Needs ~9 GB Device usable ~5.5 GB

Needs ~9 GB even at Q4_K_M, but only ~5.5 GB is usable.

Q4_K_M needed
~9 GB
Usable on device
~5.5 GB
Device memory
8 GB
Model Llama 3.2 Vision
Parameters
10.7B
Q4_K_M size
7.36 GB
Q8_0 size
11.49 GB
Context
128k
Ollama tag
llama3.2-vision:11b
Full Llama 3.2 Vision 11B requirements →
Device macOS
Memory
8 GB unified
Usable for weights
~5.5 GB
Best runtime
Ollama (llama.cpp Metal backend)
Best models for Apple M1 (8GB) →

What you can run instead

Run Llama 3.2 Vision 11B on other hardware

FAQ

Can Apple M1 (8GB) run Llama 3.2 Vision 11B?

No. Llama 3.2 Vision 11B needs ~9 GB even at Q4_K_M, but Apple M1 (8GB) only has ~5.5 GB usable.

How much memory does Llama 3.2 Vision 11B need?

Apple M1 (8GB) does not have enough memory. At Q4_K_M the weights are ~7.36 GB; with KV cache and runtime overhead, budget ~9 GB at a 4k context.

What is the best tool to run Llama 3.2 Vision 11B on macOS?

LM Studio for a simple setup; mlx-lm for the most speed. vLLM is NOT a Mac tool, it is a CUDA/Linux serving engine. Unified memory is not a fixed VRAM slice; ~70% is usable for weights.

Sources

Memory figures are estimates. See methodology.