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Head-to-head · Gemma

Gemma 2 2B vs Gemma 3n E4B

Gemma 2 2B needs ~2.9 GB at Q4_K_M; Gemma 3n E4B needs ~5.7 GB. That ~2.8 GB gap decides which hardware runs each; they differ on 3 of the 14 devices below.

Spec Gemma 2 2B Gemma 3n E4B
Parameters2.61B8B
Memory at Q4_K_M~2.9 GB~5.7 GB
Context window8k32k
LMArenanot rankednot ranked
LicenseGemmagemma

Which devices run each

A representative spread across the memory range. Tap a verdict for the full breakdown.

Size at each quantization

Quant Gemma 2 2B Gemma 3n E4B
Q2_K 1.1 GB* 3.4 GB*
Q3_K_M 1.3 GB* 3.9 GB*
Q4_K_M 1.71 GB 4.23 GB
Q5_K_M 1.9 GB* 5.7 GB*
Q6_K 2.1 GB* 6.6 GB*
Q8_0 2.78 GB 6.85 GB
FP16 5.2 GB* 13.7 GB

* derived from bits-per-weight; unstarred sizes are measured GGUF files.

Bottom line

The larger Gemma 3n E4B needs ~5.7 GB; Gemma 2 2B runs on lighter hardware at ~2.9 GB with more headroom and faster responses. Check each against your exact device: what runs Gemma 2 2B · what runs Gemma 3n E4B.

More Gemma comparisons

FAQ

What is the difference in memory between Gemma 2 2B and Gemma 3n E4B?

At Q4_K_M, Gemma 2 2B needs about 2.9 GB and Gemma 3n E4B needs about 5.7 GB, a difference of ~2.8 GB.

Should I run Gemma 2 2B or Gemma 3n E4B?

Run Gemma 3n E4B if your hardware has the ~5.7 GB it needs and you want maximum quality; run Gemma 2 2B (~2.9 GB) for lighter hardware, faster responses, and more memory headroom.

Full breakdowns: Gemma 2 2B · Gemma 3n E4B · all models × devices.

Sources

Memory figures are estimates at Q4_K_M, validated 2026-08-03. See methodology.