Can You Run Gemma 4 on an RTX 3080 (10GB VRAM)?
Yes — best fit is Gemma 4 12B at Q4_0 (4-bit) (~6.7GB) ✅ Comfortable, using 9GB of usable memory on a 10GB RTX 3080.
Every Gemma 4 model on this configuration
| Model | Best quant | Size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemma 4 E2B | SFP8 (8-bit) | ~4 GB | ✅ Comfortable |
| Gemma 4 E4B | Q4_0 (4-bit) | ~5 GB | ✅ Comfortable |
| Gemma 4 12B | Q4_0 (4-bit) | ~6.7 GB | ✅ Comfortable |
| Gemma 4 26B A4B | — | — | ❌ Won't fit |
| Gemma 4 31B | — | — | ❌ Won't fit |
How we got this verdict
10 - 1 = 9GB usable VRAM (the driver and OS reserve roughly 1 GB).
12B lands on Q4_0 here, so grab the official QAT (quantization-aware training) checkpoint instead of a generic Q4_0 quant. Google shipped a full-quality QAT build for 12B at essentially the same ~7.2GB download size, with noticeably better output quality than a naive 4-bit quant. See the QAT guide for exact file names.
Switching to the RTX 3060 (12GB VRAM) doesn't change the top recommendation — 12B is still the best fit, just with more headroom. One tier down, at 8GB VRAM, the best fit drops to E4B (comfortable) instead.
The fastest lever on a fixed budget isn't more VRAM on the same card — it's switching cards. Compare this tier against neighboring cards below, or check the full checker for any GPU model.
Real-world notes for this configuration
The RTX 3080 exists in two genuinely different VRAM configurations under the same name: the original 2020 launch card with 10GB on a 320-bit bus, and a later 12GB revision on a wider 384-bit bus, sold alongside the original with no change to the model name. This page uses the 10GB launch configuration — if you're buying used, the listing needs to specify which one you're actually getting, since "3080" alone doesn't tell you.
- ⚠Always confirm 10GB vs 12GB before buying a used 3080 specifically for local AI — the model name doesn't distinguish them, but the extra 2GB can be the difference between a model fitting tight or not fitting at all.
Try a different configuration
Best fit: Gemma 4 12B · Q4_0 (4-bit) · ~6.7 GB ✅ Comfortable
FAQ
Can a RTX 3080 (10GB VRAM) run the 31B flagship model?
No — the 31B model needs at least 17.4GB usable memory even at Q4_0, and this configuration only has 9GB usable. Gemma 4 12B is the largest model that fits here.
What's the best Gemma 4 model for a RTX 3080 (10GB VRAM)?
Gemma 4 12B at Q4_0 (4-bit) (~6.7GB) is the best fit — it's the largest model that runs comfortably within the 9GB of usable memory here.
What if I have more or less memory than 10GB VRAM?
With more (e.g. RTX 3060), you can run larger models or the same model more comfortably — see the RTX 3060 page. With less (e.g. RTX 4060), the best-fitting model gets smaller or tighter — see the RTX 4060 page.
How do I tell if a used RTX 3080 is the 10GB or 12GB version?
Check the listing's memory spec or run nvidia-smi — NVIDIA never renamed the card between revisions, so the box and even some retailer listings don't reliably distinguish them. The 12GB version also has a wider 384-bit memory bus versus the 10GB card's 320-bit.
Is the 12GB RTX 3080 meaningfully better for local Gemma 4 than the 10GB version?
Yes for capacity — 2GB more VRAM plus a wider memory bus makes the 12GB revision a strictly better local-AI card at the same 3080 name, worth specifically seeking out on the used market if the price is similar.
Related
Gemma 4 on RTX 3070/3080
The full setup guide for this device family.
Can You Run Gemma 4 on an RTX 4060 (8GB VRAM)?
NVIDIA GPU — 8GB VRAM
Can You Run Gemma 4 on an RTX 3060 (12GB VRAM)?
NVIDIA GPU — 12GB VRAM
Gemma 4 Hardware Requirements
The full memory table this checker is built on.
Full Hardware Checker
Every device type, every model, one tool.