StarCoder2 15B FP16 VRAM Requirement and Ollama Model Size
StarCoder2 15B FP16 needs 30GB minimum VRAM, 42GB optimal VRAM, and 64GB+ system RAM for a safer Ollama run. Popular Ollama model family: StarCoder2. Caveat: Estimated values are placeholders unless marked measured..
Hardware Snapshot
| Family | StarCoder2 |
|---|---|
| Scenario | coding |
| License scope | open-source |
| Quantization | FP16 |
| VRAM minimum | 30GB |
| VRAM optimal | 42GB |
| Best local GPU | RTX 6000 Ada 48GB |
| Cloud fallback | A100 80GB |
| Updated | 2026-02-24 |
| Data status | Estimated baseline (pending measurement) |
| Ollama source | Library reference (verified: 2026-02-24) |
| Ollama tag | starcoder2:15b |
| Category | coding |
Benchmark Anchors
| Hardware | Expected tok/s |
|---|---|
| RTX 3090 24GB | 6.1 |
| RTX 4090 24GB | 8.2 |
| A100 80GB | 14.6 |
Quick Answers
- How much VRAM does StarCoder2 15B FP16 need?
- StarCoder2 15B FP16 needs about 30GB minimum VRAM and 42GB optimal VRAM for a safer local run target.
- Can StarCoder2 15B FP16 run on an RTX 3090 24GB?
- Not as a comfortable local target. StarCoder2 15B FP16 needs about 30GB minimum and 42GB optimal VRAM, so cloud or larger local GPUs are safer.
- What is the Ollama command for StarCoder2 15B FP16?
- Use ollama run starcoder2:15b. Check the Ollama tag starcoder2:15b before running.
- What is the approximate Ollama model size for StarCoder2 15B FP16?
- StarCoder2 15B FP16 uses the starcoder2:15b Ollama tag. Treat the FP16 15 profile as smaller than the runtime VRAM budget; use 30GB minimum VRAM and 42GB optimal VRAM as the safer sizing numbers.
- How much system RAM does StarCoder2 15B FP16 need in Ollama?
- Plan for at least 64GB system RAM alongside 30GB minimum VRAM and 42GB optimal VRAM. More RAM helps if layers spill to CPU or if you run multiple models.
- What is the RAM vs VRAM requirement for StarCoder2 15B FP16?
- StarCoder2 15B FP16 should be sized by GPU VRAM first: 30GB minimum and 42GB optimal. System RAM should be at least 64GB so Ollama has room for CPU-side layers, context, and the surrounding app process.
- What is StarCoder2 15B FP16 VRAM usage on an RTX 3090?
- StarCoder2 15B FP16 is not recommended for an RTX 3090 24GB target. The page estimates 30GB minimum and 42GB optimal VRAM, with spill risk marked as high without a larger GPU or cloud.
- Which LocalVRAM profiles share the starcoder2:15b Ollama tag?
- LocalVRAM tracks these profiles for the same Ollama tag or model family: StarCoder2 15B FP16 (FP16, 30GB min/42GB optimal); StarCoder2 15B Q4 (Q4, 18GB min/28GB optimal); StarCoder2 15B Q5 (Q5, 20GB min/30GB optimal); StarCoder2 15B Q8 (Q8, 24GB min/34GB optimal). Use the table on this page to compare quantization and VRAM targets before choosing a run command.
- Is StarCoder2 15B FP16 benchmark data measured or estimated?
- StarCoder2 15B FP16 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 | starcoder2:15b |
|---|---|
| Run command | ollama run starcoder2:15b |
| Model size guidance | FP16 quantization, 15 profile; size runtime by VRAM, not download size alone |
| Runtime VRAM target | 30GB minimum, 42GB optimal |
| System RAM planning | 64GB 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 | 30GB minimum / 42GB optimal |
|---|---|
| System RAM requirement | 64GB or more for Ollama runtime headroom |
| RTX 3090 24GB fit | Not recommended |
| CPU spill risk | High without larger GPU or cloud |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| StarCoder2 15B FP16 | FP16 | 30GB min / 42GB optimal | starcoder2:15b |
| StarCoder2 15B Q4 | Q4 | 18GB min / 28GB optimal | starcoder2:15b |
| StarCoder2 15B Q5 | Q5 | 20GB min / 30GB optimal | starcoder2:15b |
| StarCoder2 15B Q8 | Q8 | 24GB min / 34GB optimal | starcoder2:15b |
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 StarCoder2 15B FP16
- Local run: RTX 3090 (24GB) (Check latest deal) for around 6.1 tok/s on this profile.
- Cloud run: RunPod A100 80GB , 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 |
| A100 80GB | $78 | $234 |
Related Model Profiles
- StarCoder2 15B Q4 18GB min, 28GB optimal
- StarCoder2 15B Q5 20GB min, 30GB optimal
- StarCoder2 15B Q8 24GB min, 34GB optimal
ollama run starcoder2:15b More coding models More 30b-34b models Benchmark changelog Submit your test result Run on RunPod Try Vast.ai 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.