Llama 3 8B Q4 VRAM Requirement and Ollama Model Size
Llama 3 8B Q4 needs 6GB minimum VRAM, 16GB optimal VRAM, and 32GB+ system RAM for a safer Ollama run. Popular Ollama model family: Llama 3. Caveat: Estimated values are placeholders unless marked measured..
Hardware Snapshot
| Family | Llama 3 |
|---|---|
| Scenario | chat |
| License scope | closed-weight |
| Quantization | Q4 |
| VRAM minimum | 6GB |
| VRAM optimal | 16GB |
| Best local GPU | RTX 3090 24GB |
| Cloud fallback | A6000 48GB |
| Updated | 2026-02-24 |
| Data status | Estimated baseline (pending measurement) |
| Ollama source | Library reference (verified: 2026-02-24) |
| Ollama tag | llama3:8b |
| Category | chat |
Benchmark Anchors
| Hardware | Expected tok/s |
|---|---|
| RTX 3090 24GB | 30 |
| RTX 4090 24GB | 40.5 |
| A100 80GB | 72 |
Quick Answers
- How much VRAM does Llama 3 8B Q4 need?
- Llama 3 8B Q4 needs about 6GB minimum VRAM and 16GB optimal VRAM for a safer local run target.
- Can Llama 3 8B Q4 run on an RTX 3090 24GB?
- Yes. Llama 3 8B Q4 fits comfortably on an RTX 3090 24GB target with 16GB optimal VRAM.
- What is the Ollama command for Llama 3 8B Q4?
- Use ollama run llama3:8b. Check the Ollama tag llama3:8b before running.
- What is the approximate Ollama model size for Llama 3 8B Q4?
- Llama 3 8B Q4 uses the llama3:8b Ollama tag. Treat the Q4 8 profile as smaller than the runtime VRAM budget; use 6GB minimum VRAM and 16GB optimal VRAM as the safer sizing numbers.
- How much system RAM does Llama 3 8B Q4 need in Ollama?
- Plan for at least 32GB system RAM alongside 6GB minimum VRAM and 16GB optimal VRAM. More RAM helps if layers spill to CPU or if you run multiple models.
- What is the RAM vs VRAM requirement for Llama 3 8B Q4?
- Llama 3 8B Q4 should be sized by GPU VRAM first: 6GB minimum and 16GB optimal. System RAM should be at least 32GB so Ollama has room for CPU-side layers, context, and the surrounding app process.
- What is Llama 3 8B Q4 VRAM usage on an RTX 3090?
- Llama 3 8B Q4 is comfortable for an RTX 3090 24GB target. The page estimates 6GB minimum and 16GB optimal VRAM, with spill risk marked as moderate at long context.
- Which LocalVRAM profiles share the llama3:8b Ollama tag?
- LocalVRAM tracks these profiles for the same Ollama tag or model family: Llama 3 8B Q4 (Q4, 6GB min/16GB optimal); Llama 3 8B Q5 (Q5, 8GB min/18GB optimal); Llama 3 8B Q8 (Q8, 12GB min/22GB optimal); Llama 3 8B FP16 (FP16, 18GB min/30GB optimal). Use the table on this page to compare quantization and VRAM targets before choosing a run command.
- Is Llama 3 8B Q4 benchmark data measured or estimated?
- Llama 3 8B Q4 currently uses estimated baseline anchors on this page. Verified benchmark data will replace the estimate after a local hardware run is available.
Ollama Model Size and RAM Notes
| Ollama tag | llama3:8b |
|---|---|
| Run command | ollama run llama3:8b |
| Model size guidance | Q4 quantization, 8 profile; size runtime by VRAM, not download size alone |
| Runtime VRAM target | 6GB minimum, 16GB optimal |
| System RAM planning | 32GB or more when running this tag locally with Ollama |
Download size alone is not a safe runtime budget. Runtime memory also includes KV cache, context length, and GPU layer placement.
Ollama RAM vs VRAM Requirements
| GPU VRAM usage estimate | 6GB minimum / 16GB optimal |
|---|---|
| System RAM requirement | 32GB or more for Ollama runtime headroom |
| RTX 3090 24GB fit | Comfortable |
| CPU spill risk | Moderate at long context |
| Context warning | Longer context increases KV cache memory, so real VRAM usage can exceed short-prompt estimates. |
For Ollama, VRAM is the first fit check. System RAM matters when layers spill to CPU, when context grows, or when the local app stack runs beside the model.
Available Tag Variants and VRAM Targets
| Profile | Quantization | VRAM target | Ollama tag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llama 3 8B Q4 | Q4 | 6GB min / 16GB optimal | llama3:8b |
| Llama 3 8B Q5 | Q5 | 8GB min / 18GB optimal | llama3:8b |
| Llama 3 8B Q8 | Q8 | 12GB min / 22GB optimal | llama3:8b |
| Llama 3 8B FP16 | FP16 | 18GB min / 30GB optimal | llama3:8b |
Ollama library tags often group multiple quantization choices under one model family. LocalVRAM separates them into VRAM profiles so you can pick the right local target.
Real Hardware Benchmark (RTX 3090)
Real benchmark data not available yet for this tag. Estimated anchors are shown above.
Performance Curve
Reference anchors are baseline estimates. Measured RTX 3090 data is overlaid when available.
Best Hardware for Llama 3 8B Q4
- Local run: RTX 3090 (24GB) (Check latest deal) for around 30 tok/s on this profile.
- Cloud run: RunPod A6000 48GB , about 2.4x the local 3090 speed anchor.
- Alternative cloud: Vast.ai options for flexible spot pricing.
Local vs Cloud Cost Hint
| Mode | 40h / month | 120h / month |
|---|---|---|
| Local power only (3090 baseline) | $2.24 | $6.72 |
| A6000 48GB | $30.4 | $91.2 |
Related Model Profiles
- Llama 3 8B Q5 8GB min, 18GB optimal
- Llama 3 8B Q8 12GB min, 22GB optimal
- Llama 3 8B FP16 18GB min, 30GB optimal
ollama run llama3:8b More chat models More 7b-8b models Benchmark changelog Submit your test result Check local GPU upgrade We may earn a commission if you click links on this page.
This page currently uses estimated benchmark baselines. Measured data will replace it after validation.