Hardware Detail MacCurrent

Mac Studio M4 Ultra 256GB

Mac Studio M4 Ultra 256GB profile for local AI model planning.

AppleAPPLE M42025-03256GB unified
AI Memory
256GB unified
Usable model memory reserves headroom for OS, runtime, and KV cache.
LLM Score
58
server
Power
160W
Average AI load
Value Score
7.1
Planner signal

Task Fit

Code100

Strong fit for code workloads in the current planner.

Chat100

Strong fit for chat workloads in the current planner.

RAG100

Strong fit for rag workloads in the current planner.

Agent97

Strong fit for agent workloads in the current planner.

Vision92

Strong fit for vision workloads in the current planner.

Embedding80

Usable for embedding, with tradeoffs around speed, memory, or runtime maturity.

Voice75

Usable for voice, with tradeoffs around speed, memory, or runtime maturity.

Image generation61

Usable for image generation, with tradeoffs around speed, memory, or runtime maturity.

Video generation48

Not a primary fit for video generation in the current hardware pool.

Runtime Support

ollamaExcellent
llama.cppExcellent
LM StudioExcellent
vllmUnsupported
sglangUnsupported
ComfyUIPartial
diffusersPartial

Specs

CPU cores32
GPU cores80
System RAM256GB
Unified memory256GB
VRAM—
Usable model memory192GB
CUDANo
MetalSupported
ROCmNo

Cost and Ops

Hardware price$9,999
Build cost—
UPS / accessories$150
5-year estimate$10,525
Expected lifespan7 years
Residual value28%
Build requiredNo

Models This Hardware Can Run

Estimated from default model artifacts, VRAM, unified memory, and recommended RAM.

61 compatible defaults
DeepSeek-R1-Distill 70B
Compatible

DeepSeek · Q4_K_M

80GB recommended
DeepSeek-R1-Distill 32B
Compatible

DeepSeek · Q4_K_M

48GB recommended
Phi-4 14B
Compatible

Microsoft · Q4_K_M

24GB recommended
GLM 5.1 FP8
Compatible

Z.ai · FP8

96GB recommended
GLM 4.7 Flash
Compatible

Z.ai · Q4_K_M

32GB recommended
Kimi K2.7 Code
Compatible

Moonshot AI · Q4_K_M

48GB recommended
Kimi K2.6
Compatible

Moonshot AI · Q4_K_M

48GB recommended
Kimi K2 Thinking
Compatible

Moonshot AI · Q4_K_M

48GB recommended
MiniMax M3
Compatible

MiniMax · Q4_K_M

64GB recommended

Best For

largest local models on Macmulti-model workflowsquiet workstation

Mac Studio M4 Ultra 256GB profile for local AI model planning.

Source Confidence

SpecsEstimated
PriceEstimated
PowerEstimated
PerformanceEstimated
Updated2026-06-18

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