Head-to-head · Mistral
Mistral Nemo 12B vs Magistral Small
Mistral Nemo 12B needs ~8.6 GB at Q4_K_M; Magistral Small needs ~16 GB. That ~7.4 GB gap decides which hardware runs each; they differ on 4 of the 14 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; Mistral Nemo 12B runs on lighter hardware at ~8.6 GB with more headroom and faster responses. Check each against your exact device: what runs Mistral Nemo 12B · what runs Magistral Small.
More Mistral comparisons
FAQ
What is the difference in memory between Mistral Nemo 12B and Magistral Small?
At Q4_K_M, Mistral Nemo 12B needs about 8.6 GB and Magistral Small needs about 16 GB, a difference of ~7.4 GB.
Should I run Mistral Nemo 12B or Magistral Small?
Run Magistral Small if your hardware has the ~16 GB it needs and you want maximum quality; run Mistral Nemo 12B (~8.6 GB) for lighter hardware, faster responses, and more memory headroom.
Full breakdowns: Mistral Nemo 12B · Magistral Small · all models × devices.
Sources
Memory figures are estimates at Q4_K_M, validated 2026-08-03. See methodology.