What is the best Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) quantization for a 36GB GPU?

The FP16 (Standard) variant (~6.5GB) is the best fit on the Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max).

GPU × Model Compatibility

Can a Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) run Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL)?

Q: Can a Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) run Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) locally?

Yes — the Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) has 36GB VRAM. It runs Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) comfortably (best variant: FP16 (Standard), ~6.5GB).

Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) has 36GB VRAM. Here's exactly whichquantization (FP16, FP8, GGUF)of Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) fits and how smoothly it runs.

Runs locally — recommended

This GPU has enough VRAM for Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL). Best pick: FP16 (Standard) (~6.5GB) with 28.5GB headroom.

6.5GB

smallest fit on this GPU

Run it locally

Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) (36GB) · ~$3500 is a solid fit for Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL).

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Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) variants on the Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max)

Variant	Precision	Size	Total VRAM needed	Headroom	Fits?
Q4_K_M GGUF	GGUF Q4_K_M	2.8GB	3.8GB	+32.2GB	✓ Fits	Download ↗
FP8 (Optimized)	FP8	3.3GB	4.3GB	+31.7GB	✓ Fits	Download ↗
FP16 (Standard)REC	FP16	6.5GB	7.5GB	+28.5GB	✓ Fits	Download ↗

"Total VRAM needed" = variant size + 1.0GB 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

6.5GB Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) and lighter

Can a Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max) run Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL)?

Runs locally — recommended

Run it locally

Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) 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 Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL)