Can a Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) run Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B) locally?

Yes — the Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) has 36GB VRAM. It runs Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B) comfortably (best variant: Q4_K_M (4-bit Recommended), ~5.0GB).

What is the best Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B) quantization for a 36GB GPU?

The Q4_K_M (4-bit Recommended) variant (~5.0GB) is the best fit on the Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max).

GPU × Model Compatibility

Can a Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) run Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B)?

Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) has 36GB VRAM. Here's exactly whichprecision (FP16, FP8, GGUF)of Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B) fits and how smoothly it runs.

Runs locally — recommended

This GPU has enough VRAM for Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B). Best pick: Q4_K_M (4-bit Recommended) (~5.0GB) with 31.0GB headroom.

5.0GB

smallest fit on this GPU

Run it locally

Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) (36GB) · ~$3500 is a solid fit for Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B).

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Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B) variants on the Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max)

Variant	Precision	Size	Total VRAM needed	Headroom	Fits?
Q4_K_M (4-bit Recommended)REC	q4_k_m	5.0GB	5.0GB	+31.0GB	✓ Fits
FP8 (Quantized)	fp8	9.0GB	9.0GB	+27.0GB	✓ Fits
Q8_0 (8-bit GGUF)	q8_0	9.3GB	9.3GB	+26.7GB	✓ Fits
FP16 (Uncompressed)	fp16	17.5GB	17.5GB	+18.5GB	✓ Fits

"Total VRAM needed" = variant size + 0.0GB estimated text-encoder/VAE overhead. Headroom = GPU VRAM (36GB) − total needed. Green ≥ 1.5GB headroom; Red ≤ −2GB (will OOM).

Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) at a glance

VRAM

36GB

Est. price

$3500

Best for

16.0GB Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B) and lighter

Can a Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) run Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B)?

Runs locally — recommended

Run it locally

Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B) variants on the Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max)

Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) at a glance

Other models on the Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max)

Other GPUs for Llama 3 / 3.1 (8B)