Can a Mac mini M4 24GB run Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct?
Yes. Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct needs 10.1GB at Q8_0 with llama.cpp and 8K context; the Mac mini M4 24GB has 24GB of unified memory (~75% GPU-addressable) (17.5GB usable) — grade A, with decode speed in the painful tier.
Mac mini M4 24GB · Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct · Q8_0
✅ Fits — grade A
assumes llama.cpp · batch 1 · 8K context · fp16 KV cache
Also runs with: Ollama (one-line install) · LM Studio (GUI) · KoboldCpp (GUI)
Rent a GPU that fits
It fits, but only in the Painful tier — usable for a batch job, rough for anything interactive. If you need it responsive, renting a larger GPU by the hour is worth pricing against an upgrade.
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$999 MSRP · as of 2026-07-11
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Every quant, graded
Mac mini M4 24GB × Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct, llama.cpp, 8K context.
| Quant | File size | Fit | Speed tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q8_0 | 8.5 GB | Fits · A | painful |
| Q6_K | 6.6 GB | Fits · A | usable |
| Q5_K_M | 5.7 GB | Fits · A | usable |
| Q4_K_M | 4.9 GB | Fits · A | usable |
Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct on similar hardware
More models on the Mac mini M4 24GB
Verdict computed from published specs and measured GGUF file sizes — see how the math works.