Can You Run Gemma 4 on an RTX 5080 (16GB VRAM)?
Yes — best fit is Gemma 4 12B at Q4_0 (4-bit) (~6.7GB) ✅ Comfortable, using 15GB of usable memory on a 16GB RTX 5080.
Every Gemma 4 model on this configuration
| Model | Best quant | Size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemma 4 E2B | BF16 (16-bit) | ~8 GB | ✅ Comfortable |
| Gemma 4 E4B | SFP8 (8-bit) | ~7.5 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
16 - 1 = 15GB 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 3090 (24GB VRAM) unlocks 31B at Q4_0 (4-bit) — a step up from 12B here.
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 5080 moves to GDDR7 memory on Blackwell, giving it higher bandwidth per pin than the previous generation's GDDR6X — but its VRAM capacity holds flat at 16GB, the same ceiling as the previous-generation RTX 4070 Ti SUPER and RTX 4080. Reviewers widely noted this capacity parity as one of the card's weaker points relative to its price, especially compared to how much the RTX 5090 stepped up in the same generation.
- ⚠16GB capacity is unchanged from two previous-generation cards (4070 Ti SUPER, 4080) — if you specifically need more VRAM headroom rather than more speed, this generation's jump doesn't help.
- ⚠GDDR7's bandwidth advantage matters for token generation speed on models that already fit; it does nothing for whether a bigger model fits.
Try a different configuration
Best fit: Gemma 4 12B · Q4_0 (4-bit) · ~6.7 GB ✅ Comfortable
FAQ
Can a RTX 5080 (16GB 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 15GB usable. Gemma 4 12B is the largest model that fits here.
What's the best Gemma 4 model for a RTX 5080 (16GB 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 15GB of usable memory here.
What if I have more or less memory than 16GB VRAM?
With more (e.g. RTX 3090), you can run larger models or the same model more comfortably — see the RTX 3090 page. With less (e.g. RTX 4080), the best-fitting model gets smaller or tighter — see the RTX 4080 page.
Does the RTX 5080 have more VRAM than the previous-gen RTX 4080?
No — both are 16GB. The 5080's advantage is GDDR7 memory bandwidth and newer-generation compute, not additional capacity, which was a common criticism when the card launched.
Should I get an RTX 5080 or save for a 5090 for local AI?
If VRAM capacity is the deciding factor, the 5090's 32GB is a genuine step up rather than an increment — worth the difference specifically if your target model needs more than 16GB of usable VRAM.
Related
Gemma 4 on RTX 3070/3080
The full setup guide for this device family.
Can You Run Gemma 4 on an RTX 4080 (16GB VRAM)?
NVIDIA GPU — 16GB VRAM
Can You Run Gemma 4 on an RTX 3090 (24GB VRAM)?
NVIDIA GPU — 24GB VRAM
Gemma 4 Hardware Requirements
The full memory table this checker is built on.
Full Hardware Checker
Every device type, every model, one tool.