Llama 3.1 8B hardware requirements
About the model
- Parameters
- 8.03B
- Attention
- Full attention
- Max context
- 131,072 tokens
- Released
- 2024-07-23
- Model card
- Llama 3.1 8B on Hugging Face
GGUF files
| Quant | File size | Quality | Published by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q2_K | 3.18 GB | Heavy loss | Community GGUF · bartowski |
| IQ4_XS | 4.45 GB | Good balance | Community GGUF · bartowski |
| Q4_K_Mbaseline | 4.92 GB | Good balance | Community GGUF · bartowski |
| Q8_0 | 8.54 GB | Near-lossless | Community GGUF · bartowski |
Memory needed by quant and context
| Quant | 4k | 8k | 16k | 32k | 64k | 128k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2_K | 4.3 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 8.3 | 12.9 | 22.1 |
| IQ4_XS | 5.5 | 6.1 | 7.2 | 9.5 | 14.1 | 23.3 |
| Q4_K_M | 6.0 | 6.6 | 7.7 | 10.0 | 14.6 | 23.8 |
| Q8_0 | 9.6 | 10.2 | 11.3 | 13.6 | 18.2 | 27.4 |
Which GPUs can run Llama 3.1 8B?
How to read the verdicts
- Runs great
- Fully on the GPU at 20 tok/s or more
- Runs well
- Fully on the GPU at 8–20 tok/s; MoE experts in system RAM at 20 tok/s or more; or at least 90% on the GPU at 8 tok/s or more
- Runs slowly
- 2–8 tok/s; CPU-only; less than 90% on the GPU; or MoE experts in system RAM below 20 tok/s
- Won't run
- Does not fit, or under 2 tok/s
Scroll sideways to see every column.
| Hardware | Verdict | Speed | Quant | Memory | Runs as | Context | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 5090 | Runs greatDetails | est. 209.3 tok/s184.2–234.4calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 32.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 128k | — | $4,200 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| Radeon RX 7900 XTX | Runs great | est. 124.9 tok/s109.9–139.9calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 24.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $999 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 3090 Ti | Runs great | est. 117.7 tok/s103.6–131.8calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 24.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $1,999 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 5080 | Runs great | est. 112.1 tok/s98.7–125.6calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $1,256 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 3090 | Runs greatDetails | est. 109.3 tok/s96.2–122.4calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 24.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $1,050 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | Runs great | est. 106.5 tok/s93.7–119.3calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 12.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $799 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | Runs great | est. 104.6 tok/s92.1–117.2calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $949 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop | Runs great | est. 104.6 tok/s92.1–117.2calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | — |
| GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop | Runs great | est. 104.6 tok/s92.1–117.2calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 24.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | — |
| Radeon RX 7900 XT | Runs great | est. 104.1 tok/s91.6–116.6calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 20.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $899 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 4090 | Runs greatDetails | 91.0 tok/s8k estimate 117.7 tok/s (103.6–131.8, calibrated estimate ±12%)measured (1 run, 4k context) | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 24.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $2,755 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 3080 10GB | Runs great | est. 88.8 tok/s78.1–99.4calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 10.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 16k | — | $699 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 4080 Super | Runs great | est. 86.0 tok/s75.6–96.3calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $999 launch MSRP |
| Radeon RX 9070 | Runs great | est. 83.9 tok/s73.9–94.0calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $639 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| Radeon RX 9070 XT | Runs great | est. 83.9 tok/s73.9–94.0calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $689 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 4080 | Runs great | est. 83.7 tok/s73.7–93.8calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $1,199 launch MSRP |
| Radeon RX 7800 XT | Runs great | est. 81.2 tok/s71.5–90.9calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $499 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super | Runs great | est. 78.5 tok/s69.1–87.9calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $799 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | Runs greatDetails | est. 78.5 tok/s69.1–87.9calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 12.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $629 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop | Runs great | est. 78.5 tok/s69.1–87.9calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 12.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | — |
| GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | Runs great | est. 71.9 tok/s63.3–80.6calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 11.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $999 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop | Runs great | est. 67.3 tok/s59.2–75.3calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | — |
| Apple M5 Max (40-core GPU) · 48 GB | Runs great | est. 61.5 tok/s49.2–73.8calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 33.6 GB | Unified memory | up to 64k | — | — |
| Apple M3 Ultra · 96 GB | Runs great | est. 60.1 tok/s48.1–72.1calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 67.2 GB | Unified memory | up to 64k | — | — |
| GeForce RTX 4070 | Runs greatDetails | est. 58.9 tok/s51.8–65.9calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 12.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $599 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 4070 Super | Runs great | est. 58.9 tok/s51.8–65.9calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 12.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $599 launch MSRP |
| Apple M2 Ultra · 64 GB | Runs great | est. 58.7 tok/s47.0–70.5calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 44.8 GB | Unified memory | up to 64k | — | — |
| GeForce GTX 1080 Ti | Runs great | est. 56.5 tok/s39.6–73.5theoretical estimate ±30% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 11.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $699 launch MSRP |
| Apple M4 Max (40-core GPU) · 48 GB | Runs great | est. 54.7 tok/s43.7–65.6calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 33.6 GB | Unified memory | up to 64k | — | — |
| GeForce RTX 3070 | Runs great | est. 52.3 tok/s46.0–58.6calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 8.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 8k | — | $499 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 5060 | Runs great | est. 52.3 tok/s46.0–58.6calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 8.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 8k | — | $339 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | Runs greatDetails | est. 52.3 tok/s46.0–58.6calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 64k | — | $569 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB | Runs great | est. 52.3 tok/s46.0–58.6calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 8.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 8k | — | $429 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | Runs greatDetails | 51.6 tok/s8k estimate 42.0 tok/s (37.0–47.1, calibrated estimate ±12%)measured (1 run, 4k context) | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 12.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $250 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop | Runs great | est. 50.5 tok/s44.4–56.5calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 12.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | — |
| Apple M5 Max (32-core GPU) · 36 GB | Runs great | est. 46.0 tok/s36.8–55.3calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 25.2 GB | Unified memory | up to 64k | — | — |
| Intel Arc B580 | Runs great | est. 44.9 tok/s35.9–53.9calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 12.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $290 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB | Runs great | est. 41.9 tok/s36.9–46.9calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $449 street (as of 2026-08-09) |
| Apple M4 Max (32-core GPU) · 36 GB | Runs great | est. 41.0 tok/s32.8–49.3calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 25.2 GB | Unified memory | up to 32k | — | — |
| GeForce RTX 4060 | Runs greatDetails | 38.1 tok/s8k estimate 31.8 tok/s (28.0–35.6, calibrated estimate ±12%)measured (1 run, 4k context) | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 8.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 8k | — | $299 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB | Runs great | est. 33.6 tok/s29.6–37.7calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 16.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 32k | — | $499 launch MSRP |
| GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB | Runs great | est. 33.6 tok/s29.6–37.7calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 8.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 8k | — | $399 launch MSRP |
| Apple M5 Pro · 24 GB | Runs great | est. 30.7 tok/s24.6–36.9calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 16.8 GB | Unified memory | up to 16k | — | — |
| GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop | Runs great | est. 29.9 tok/s26.3–33.5calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 8.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 8k | — | — |
| GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop | Runs great | est. 29.9 tok/s26.3–33.5calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 8.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 8k | — | — |
| Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (Strix Halo) · 32 GB | Runs great | est. 27.8 tok/s22.2–33.3calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 22.4 GB | Unified memory | up to 16k | — | $1,999 launch MSRP |
| Apple M4 Pro · 24 GB | Runs greatDetails | est. 27.3 tok/s21.9–32.8calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 16.8 GB | Unified memory | up to 16k | — | — |
| GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Runs great | est. 26.2 tok/s23.0–29.3calibrated estimate ±12% | Q4_K_M | 7.2 / 8.0 GB | Full GPU | up to 8k | — | $249 launch MSRP |
| NVIDIA DGX Spark · 128 GB | Runs well | est. 18.2 tok/s14.6–21.9calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 89.6 GB | Unified memory | up to 64k |
| $3,999 launch MSRP |
| Apple M5 · 16 GB | Runs well | est. 15.4 tok/s12.3–18.5calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 11.2 GB | Unified memory | up to 32k |
| — |
| Apple M4 · 16 GB | Runs wellDetails | est. 12.0 tok/s9.6–14.4calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.6 / 11.2 GB | Unified memory | up to 16k | — | — |
| DDR5-6000 dual-channel CPU · 16 GB | Runs slowly | est. 8.0 tok/s6.4–9.6calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.0 GB RAM | CPU only | up to 32k |
| — |
| DDR5-5600 dual-channel CPU · 16 GB | Runs slowly | est. 7.5 tok/s6.0–9.0calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.0 GB RAM | CPU only | up to 32k | — | — |
| DDR4-3200 dual-channel CPU · 16 GB | Runs slowly | est. 4.3 tok/s3.4–5.1calibrated estimate ±20% | Q4_K_M | 6.0 GB RAM | CPU only | up to 32k | — | — |
Cheapest GPUs that run it
- Runs greatGeForce RTX 3060 12GB$250 street (as of 2026-08-09), 51.6 tok/s measured at 4k context (1 run; 8k estimate 42.0 tok/s, 37.0–47.1, calibrated estimate ±12%).
Measured results for Llama 3.1 8B
Public benchmarks we calibrate against. Their conditions (context, backend, flags) can differ from the estimates above.
| Hardware | Quant | Backend | Context | Prompt (tok/s) | Generation (tok/s) | Flags | Source | Measured |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 4090 | Q4_K_M | llama.cpp | 4k | 6,697.0 | 91.0 | ctx-weighted | localscore.ai | 2026-08-09 |
| GeForce RTX 4060 | Q4_K_M | llama.cpp | 4k | 1,528.0 | 38.1 | ctx-weighted | localscore.ai | 2026-08-09 |
| GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | Q4_K_M | llama.cpp | 4k | 1,488.0 | 51.6 | ctx-weighted | localscore.ai | 2026-08-09 |
Frequently asked questions
How much VRAM does Llama 3.1 8B need?
At Q4_K_M the weights are 4.92 GB; with 8k context the total is about 6.6 GB (KV cache 1.1 GB, compute buffer 0.6 GB). The smallest tracked file (Q2_K (heavy quality loss)) needs about 4.8 GB.
What is the cheapest GPU that runs Llama 3.1 8B well?
Cheapest that runs it great: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB at $250 (street price as of 2026-08-09), 51.6 tok/s measured at 4k context (1 run; 8k estimate 42.0 tok/s, 37.0–47.1, calibrated estimate ±12%).
Can Llama 3.1 8B run on an 8 GB, 16 GB or 24 GB GPU?
At Q4_K_M with 8k context: GeForce RTX 4060 — Runs great, 38.1 tok/s measured at 4k context (1 run; 8k estimate 31.8 tok/s, 28.0–35.6, calibrated estimate ±12%); GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB — Runs great, est. 52.3 tok/s (46.0–58.6, calibrated estimate ±12%); GeForce RTX 3090 — Runs great, est. 109.3 tok/s (96.2–122.4, calibrated estimate ±12%).
Speeds are estimates from memory bandwidth, calibrated against public benchmarks, and each one comes with an error band and a confidence label. Real results vary with drivers, backend, context length and thermals.