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CPU-capable model ready

Gemma 3 4B

40 consumer GPUs can run Gemma 3 4B at Q4 natively. Precise VRAM thresholds and benchmarks below.

40 Compatible GPUs
4B params
128K context
Javier Morales
Javier Morales AI Hardware Specialist — 8 years experience
GitHub: github.com/javier-morales-ia

llama.cpp 0.2.x · CUDA 12 · ROCm 6 · Updated monthly · methodology →

Execution Context

ARCHITECTURE TRANSFORMER
CONTEXT 128K TOKENS
QUANTIZATION 4-BIT GGUF
PROVIDER Google
LICENSE Gemma
Hardware Decision

This model requires a Entry GPU (8 GB VRAM)

Minimum

GTX 1660 Super

Runs at Q4 — functional, some wait

6 GB VRAM
View compatible setup
Balanced

RTX 4060 Ti 16GB

Best value for daily use

16 GB VRAM
View compatible setup
Optimal

RTX 5090

Full quality, fastest inference

32 GB VRAM
View compatible setup

*Prices and availability may change. Some links are affiliate links.

System Requirements

GPU VRAM 2.4 GB Entry GPU
System RAM 16 GB DDR4/DDR5
Storage 2 GB Q4 · SSD recommended
CPU i7 → 16 tok/s Runs without GPU

VRAM by Quantization

Quantization VRAM needed Disk space Quality
FP16 (max quality) 9.6 GB 8 GB Maximum
Q8 (high quality) 4.8 GB 4 GB Near-lossless
Q4 (recommended) Best balance 2.4 GB 2 GB Recommended
Q2 (minimum) 1.2 GB 1 GB Quality loss

Model Details

Developer Google
Parameters 4B
Context window 128,000 tokens
License Gemma
Use cases chat, coding, reasoning
Released 2025-03

Install with Ollama

ollama run gemma3:4b

Hugging Face

google/gemma-3-4b-it
View on HF →
Technical Requirements

Can your GPU run Gemma 3 4B?

Gemma 3 4B requires 2.4 GB VRAM at Q4. 40 consumer GPUs meet this threshold. Below 8 GB or 0.3999999999999999 GB you'll hit significant offload latency.

1.2GB Critical min
2.4GB Optimal Q4
4.8GB High Quality Q8
9.6GB Max FP16

Hardware Performance Matrix

40 Q4 native · 0 offload · 0 unsupported

GPU Unit VRAM Compatibility Est. Speed Action
RTX 5090 32GB Optimal 189 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 4090 24GB Optimal 174 tok/s Calculate →
M4 Ultra 128GB Optimal 178 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 5080 16GB Optimal 172 tok/s Calculate →
M3 Ultra 192GB Optimal 150 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 4080 Super 16GB Optimal 134 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 5070 Ti 16GB Optimal 160 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 3090 24GB Optimal 164 tok/s Calculate →
M4 Max 48GB 48GB Optimal 102 tok/s Calculate →
RX 7900 XTX 24GB Optimal 170 tok/s Calculate →
M4 Max 36GB 36GB Optimal 102 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 4070 Ti Super 16GB Optimal 121 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 3080 Ti 12GB Optimal 151 tok/s Calculate →
RX 7900 XT 20GB Optimal 142 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 5070 12GB Optimal 120 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 3080 10GB Optimal 131 tok/s Calculate →
M4 Pro 24GB Optimal 54 tok/s Calculate →
RX 7800 XT 16GB Optimal 110 tok/s Calculate →
RX 6800 XT 16GB Optimal 89 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 4070 12GB Optimal 90 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 4060 Ti 16GB 16GB Optimal 54 tok/s Calculate →
RX 7700 XT 12GB Optimal 76 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 3070 Ti 8GB Optimal 107 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 4060 Ti 8GB Optimal 54 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 3070 8GB Optimal 79 tok/s Calculate →
RX 6700 XT 12GB Optimal 66 tok/s Calculate →
M3 Pro 18GB Optimal 32 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 3060 Ti 8GB Optimal 79 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 2080 Ti 11GB Optimal 79 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 3060 12GB Optimal 65 tok/s Calculate →
M2 Pro 16GB Optimal 39 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 4060 8GB Optimal 49 tok/s Calculate →
Arc A770 16GB 16GB Optimal 40 tok/s Calculate →
M1 Pro 16GB Optimal 37 tok/s Calculate →
RX 7600 8GB Optimal 51 tok/s Calculate →
RX 6600 XT 8GB Optimal 48 tok/s Calculate →
Arc A750 8GB 8GB Optimal 36 tok/s Calculate →
RX 6600 8GB Optimal 44 tok/s Calculate →
RTX 3050 8GB 8GB Optimal 39 tok/s Calculate →
GTX 1660 Super 6GB Optimal 58 tok/s Calculate →

Recommended GPUs for Gemma 3 4B

Benchmarks Reales
Sin Reviews Pagadas
Seleccion Editorial
Basado en Datos

Best picks by compatibility, VRAM headroom, and value — prices and availability may change.

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Gemma 3 4B — Compatibility guide

Gemma 3 4B can run on CPU without a dedicated GPU — unusual for a 4B model. On an i7-13700K with llama.cpp Q4 it reaches 16 tok/s (comfortable for daily use). With a GPU you get 4–6× more speed — check the VRAM calculator for specifics.

Compare GPUs for Gemma 3 4B

Which GPU is worth it? Real specs and benchmarks side by side.

Compatible Hardware

GPUs that run Gemma 3 4B at Q4 — sorted by AI performance score.

Benchmarks Reales
Sin Reviews Pagadas
Basado en Datos
RTX 5090
RTX 5090

NVIDIA · 32 GB VRAM

Q4 OK
189 tok/s > $1000
RTX 4090
RTX 4090

NVIDIA · 24 GB VRAM

Q4 OK
174 tok/s > $1000
M4 Ultra

Apple · 128 GB VRAM

Q4 OK
178 tok/s > $1000
RTX 5080
RTX 5080

NVIDIA · 16 GB VRAM

Q4 OK
172 tok/s $600–1000
M3 Ultra

Apple · 192 GB VRAM

Q4 OK
150 tok/s > $1000
RTX 4080 Super
RTX 4080 Super

NVIDIA · 16 GB VRAM

Q4 OK
134 tok/s $600–1000

Some links are Amazon affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon cookies may last up to 24 hours after your click.

More Practical Alternatives

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Not sure which GPU you need for Gemma 3 4B?

The VRAM Calculator tells you exactly which quantization your hardware can handle.