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text model · llama · macOS

Can I run Llama 3.3 70B on Apple M5 Max (128GB)?

Compatibility verdict VRAM threshold engine
Yes, it runsusable speed

Yes. Llama 3.3 70B runs on Apple M5 Max (128GB) at Q4_K_M (~45.3 GB of ~96 GB usable).

Needs ~45.3 GB Device usable ~96 GB

Runs at Q4_K_M using ~45.3 GB of ~96 GB usable. You have room for Q8_0 for higher quality.

Q4_K_M needed
~45.3 GB
Usable on device
~96 GB
Device memory
128 GB
Best quant
Q4_K_M

Run it

Install commands macOS

Pick your tool. All three load the same Q4_K_M weights.

Ollama
$ ollama run llama3.3:70b
llama.cpp
$ llama-cli -hf bartowski/Llama-3.3-70B-Instruct-GGUF:Q4_K_M
LM Studio
$ lms get bartowski/Llama-3.3-70B-Instruct-GGUF

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.

Model llama
Parameters
70B
Q4_K_M size
42.52 GB
Q8_0 size
74.98 GB
Context
128k
Ollama tag
llama3.3:70b
Full Llama 3.3 70B requirements →
Device macOS
Memory
128 GB unified
Usable for weights
~96 GB
Best runtime
MLX direct / Ollama (MLX backend)
Best models for Apple M5 Max (128GB) →

You could also run

Run Llama 3.3 70B on other hardware

FAQ

Can Apple M5 Max (128GB) run Llama 3.3 70B?

Yes. Llama 3.3 70B runs on Apple M5 Max (128GB) at Q4_K_M (~45.3 GB of ~96 GB usable).

How much memory does Llama 3.3 70B need?

Apple M5 Max (128GB) has room to spare. At Q4_K_M the weights are ~42.52 GB; with KV cache and runtime overhead, budget ~45.3 GB at a 4k context.

What is the best tool to run Llama 3.3 70B 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.