Can M4 Pro run Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML)?

Yes — runs locally

~62 tok/sec · Instant — feels like typing. No noticeable delay.

Your VRAM

48 GB

Model size

3.5B

Best quant

CoreML

VRAM needed

3.3 GB

The verdict

The M4 Pro (48 GB VRAM) handles Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) comfortably using the CoreML quantization, which fits in 3.3 GB. Expected throughput is around 62 tokens/second, which feels Instant — feels like typing. No noticeable delay. in interactive use. Higher quality image generation. CoreML optimized for iOS. Requires 6GB+ usable memory (iPad/Mac recommended).

Setup tutorial: Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) on M4 Pro

AI-generated, GPU-specific. Verified commands for your exact hardware.

TL;DR

Run Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) on an Apple M4 Pro with 48GB VRAM for Grade S performance at ~297 tok/sec using the CoreML quantization (2.8GB file, 3.3GB VRAM).

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have at least 10GB of free disk space, macOS 12.3 or later, and Xcode Command Line Tools installed. You can install Xcode CLT by running `xcode-select --install` in the terminal.

Expected performance

You can expect the model to run at approximately 297 tok/sec with 3.3GB of VRAM in use, leaving you with 44.7GB of VRAM for context. This should allow for a practical context window of several thousand tokens, depending on the complexity of the images being generated.

1. Install runtimeOllama (preferred on Apple Silicon)

brew install ollama
ollama init

2. Download the model

Download the CoreML quantized model (2.8GB) from Hugging Face.

ollama pull apple/coreml-stable-diffusion-xl-base-ios

3. Run it

ollama run apple/coreml-stable-diffusion-xl-base-ios
ollama chat apple/coreml-stable-diffusion-xl-base-ios

4. Optimize for M4 Pro

For optimal performance on the Apple M4 Pro with 48GB VRAM, use the Metal/MLX backend to leverage the unified memory architecture. Ensure that MPS layers are enabled to take full advantage of the GPU. With 48GB of VRAM, you have ample headroom for large contexts and high-resolution image generation.

Troubleshooting

Insufficient VRAM for model loading

Ensure you have at least 6GB of usable memory. Close any unnecessary applications to free up more memory.

Slow performance

Check if the Metal/MLX backend is enabled. Run `ollama config set backend metal` to switch to the Metal backend.

Model not found

Verify that the model was successfully downloaded by running `ollama list`. If not, try pulling the model again with `ollama pull apple/coreml-stable-diffusion-xl-base-ios`.

Alternative runtimes

While Ollama is the preferred runtime for Apple Silicon, you can also use LM Studio for a GUI-based experience, llama.cpp for more control over quantization, or MLX for advanced optimization. Jan is another option but may not offer the same level of performance on Apple M4 Pro.

Full Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) details →

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FAQ (20)

What GPU do I need to run Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML)?

Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) is optimized for iOS devices and does not require a specific GPU. It leverages the Metal Performance Shaders (MPS) framework on iPad and Mac.

Is Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) good for coding?

Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) is primarily designed for generating high-quality images and is not optimized for coding tasks.

Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) vs Llama 3.1 8B?

Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) is an image generation model with 3.5B parameters, while Llama 3.1 8B is a text generation model with 8B parameters. They serve different purposes and are not directly comparable.

Can I run Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) on a Mac?

Yes, Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) can run on a Mac, but it requires at least 6GB of usable memory and is optimized for iOS devices like iPads.

How much VRAM does Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) need?

Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) requires 3.3 GB of VRAM, which is consistent across different quantization levels.

Is Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) censored?

The model is not inherently censored, but it adheres to the CreativeML OpenRail-M license, which may have usage guidelines and restrictions.

Is Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) commercial-use allowed?

Yes, Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) can be used commercially, but you must comply with the terms of the CreativeML OpenRail-M license.

Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) context length?

The context length for Stable Diffusion XL (CoreML) is not specified, as it is primarily an image generation model and does not handle text input in the same way as language models.

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