Head-to-head · Qwen3
Qwen3 4B vs Qwen3 8B
Qwen3 4B needs ~3.8 GB at Q4_K_M; Qwen3 8B needs ~6.5 GB. That ~2.7 GB gap decides which hardware runs each; they differ on 3 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 Qwen3 8B needs ~6.5 GB; Qwen3 4B runs on lighter hardware at ~3.8 GB with more headroom and faster responses. Check each against your exact device: what runs Qwen3 4B · what runs Qwen3 8B.
More Qwen3 comparisons
FAQ
What is the difference in memory between Qwen3 4B and Qwen3 8B?
At Q4_K_M, Qwen3 4B needs about 3.8 GB and Qwen3 8B needs about 6.5 GB, a difference of ~2.7 GB.
Should I run Qwen3 4B or Qwen3 8B?
Run Qwen3 8B if your hardware has the ~6.5 GB it needs and you want maximum quality; run Qwen3 4B (~3.8 GB) for lighter hardware, faster responses, and more memory headroom.
Full breakdowns: Qwen3 4B · Qwen3 8B · all models × devices.
Sources
Memory figures are estimates at Q4_K_M, validated 2026-08-03. See methodology.