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Device profile · Windows

Best local LLMs for Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB)

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB) has ~15 GB estimated usable for weights, cache and runtime; 83 of 161 tracked models fit at the estimated 4K baseline. Best tool: LM Studio.

82 fit with room 1 tight fit 78 too heavy
Usable memory
~15 GB
Estimated fits
83
Too large
78
Suggested fit
12B
Suggested fit Q4_K_M

Runs at Q4_K_M using ~8.9 GB of ~15 GB usable. You have room for Q8_0 for higher quality.

The suggested model uses recorded Arena scores where available, then estimated fit and speed. Score coverage is partial; it does not establish the best model for every task. Fit is an estimate, not a benchmark on this device.

Set up Gemma 3 12B on this device →

Estimated memory fits on Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB)

Compatible models 83 total

Best way to run models on Windows

Runtime guide Windows

Beginner: LM Studio, Best GUI on Windows, auto-detects CUDA/Vulkan backends.

Power user: Ollama (CUDA), Scriptable server; CUDA path is fastest on NVIDIA.

AMD GPUs run via Vulkan/ROCm at roughly half CUDA throughput. NVIDIA is the smooth path on Windows.

Full Windows tool guide →

FAQ

What is the best local LLM for Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB)?

Gemma 3 12B is a suggested fit, using ~8.9 GB at Q4_K_M of the ~15 GB usable on Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB).

How much of Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB)'s memory can I use for a model?

About 15 GB. On a discrete GPU, leave ~1 GB of VRAM for the driver and display.

Which tool should I use on Windows?

LM Studio (Best GUI on Windows, auto-detects CUDA/Vulkan backends.) or Ollama (CUDA) for speed. AMD GPUs run via Vulkan/ROCm at roughly half CUDA throughput. NVIDIA is the smooth path on Windows.

Compare nearby devices

Hardware with a similar usable pool, and how many of the 161 tracked models each runs next to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB)'s 83.

Sources

Memory figures are estimates. See methodology.