Head-to-head · Mistral
Ministral 3 8B vs Magistral Small
Ministral 3 8B needs ~6.3 GB at Q4_K_M; Magistral Small needs ~16 GB. That ~9.7 GB gap decides which hardware runs each; they differ on 5 of the 11 devices below.
Which devices run each
A representative spread across the memory range. Tap a verdict for the full breakdown.
Size at each quantization
* derived from bits-per-weight; unstarred sizes are measured GGUF files.
Bottom line
The larger Magistral Small needs ~16 GB; Ministral 3 8B runs on lighter hardware at ~6.3 GB with more headroom and faster responses. Check each against your exact device: what runs Ministral 3 8B · what runs Magistral Small.
More Mistral comparisons
FAQ
What is the difference in memory between Ministral 3 8B and Magistral Small?
At Q4_K_M, Ministral 3 8B needs about 6.3 GB and Magistral Small needs about 16 GB, a difference of ~9.7 GB.
Should I run Ministral 3 8B or Magistral Small?
Run Magistral Small if your hardware has the ~16 GB it needs and you want maximum quality; run Ministral 3 8B (~6.3 GB) for lighter hardware, faster responses, and more memory headroom.
Full breakdowns: Ministral 3 8B · Magistral Small · all models × devices.
Sources
Memory figures are estimates at Q4_K_M, validated 2026-09-07. See methodology.