ChatCoding4.3B

Gemma 3 4B

Gemma · Gemma license

Compact Gemma 3 model for chat and light coding on low-VRAM hardware.

Parameters: 4.3B
Context: 32,768 tokens
Released: 2025-03-12
Engines: llama.cpp, ollama, vLLM, TGI
Builder Tools: Cursor, Continue, Aider, Open WebUI, LM Studio

Gemma 3 4B (4.3B) requires 3.8 GB VRAM at recommended quality (Q6_K). At efficient quality (Q4_K_M), it fits in 2.5 GB VRAM, making it compatible with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. On NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super, expect approximately 85 tok/s at Q8_0. For the best experience, Starter AI Desktop ($582) is recommended.

— OwnRig methodology, data updated 2026-03-15

VRAM Requirements

Quality	Quantization	VRAM	File Size
full	Q8_0	4.8 GB	4.2 GB
recommended	Q6_K	3.8 GB	3.2 GB
recommended	Q5_K_M	3.2 GB	2.6 GB
efficient	Q4_K_M	2.5 GB	2.1 GB

Context Length Impact

KV cache VRAM at Q6_K quality. Longer context = more memory.

Context	KV Cache	Total VRAM
2K	102 MB	3.9 GB
4K	102 MB	3.9 GB
8K	307 MB	4.1 GB
16K	614 MB	4.4 GB
32K	1.2 GB	5 GB

Compatible GPUs

Performance data for Gemma 3 4B across different hardware.

Device	Quantization	Speed	Rating	Fits in VRAM
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	Q5_K_M	55 tok/s	Excellent	✓
Apple M4 Pro (24GB Unified)	Q5_K_M	38 tok/s	Good	✓
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super	Q8_0	85 tok/s	Excellent	✓
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB	Q5_K_M	55 tok/s	Excellent	✓
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti 12GB	Q8_0	85 tok/s	Excellent	✓
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 10GB	Q5_K_M	75 tok/s	Excellent	✓
Apple M3 Pro (18GB Unified)	Q4_K_M	22 tok/s	Acceptable	✓

Builder Context

Gemma 3 4B is commonly used with Cursor, Continue, Aider, Open WebUI, LM Studio. For an AI coding workflow, pair it with an embedding model like nomic-embed-text for local RAG.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much VRAM does Gemma 3 4B need?: Gemma 3 4B requires 3.8 GB VRAM at recommended quality (Q6_K). At lower quality settings, it can fit in as little as 2.5 GB.
What is the best GPU for Gemma 3 4B?: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super delivers the best performance for Gemma 3 4B, achieving 85 tok/s at Q8_0 with an excellent rating.
What quantization should I use for Gemma 3 4B?: For the best quality, use Q6_K (3.8 GB VRAM). If your GPU has limited VRAM, Q4_K_M (2.5 GB) is the most efficient option with acceptable quality.
Is Gemma 3 4B good for coding?: Yes. Gemma 3 4B is used with Cursor, Continue, Aider, Open WebUI, LM Studio for local AI coding. For the best coding experience, pair it with an embedding model for local RAG.

Data confidence: estimated. Last updated: 2026-03-15. Source

Quality

Quantization

VRAM

File Size

full

Q8_0

4.8 GB

4.2 GB

recommended

Q6_K

3.8 GB

3.2 GB

recommended

Q5_K_M

3.2 GB

2.6 GB

efficient

Q4_K_M

2.5 GB

2.1 GB

Context

KV Cache

Total VRAM

102 MB

3.9 GB

102 MB

3.9 GB

307 MB

4.1 GB

16K

614 MB

4.4 GB

32K

1.2 GB

5 GB

Device

Quantization

Speed

Rating

Fits in VRAM

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

Q5_K_M

55 tok/s

Excellent

✓

Apple M4 Pro (24GB Unified)

Q5_K_M

38 tok/s

Good

✓

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super

Q8_0

85 tok/s

Excellent

✓

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB

Q5_K_M

55 tok/s

Excellent

✓

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti 12GB

Q8_0

85 tok/s

Excellent

✓

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 10GB

Q5_K_M

75 tok/s

Excellent

✓

Apple M3 Pro (18GB Unified)

Q4_K_M

22 tok/s

Acceptable

✓

Frequently Asked Questions

How much VRAM does Gemma 3 4B need?

Gemma 3 4B requires 3.8 GB VRAM at recommended quality (Q6_K). At lower quality settings, it can fit in as little as 2.5 GB.

What is the best GPU for Gemma 3 4B?

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super delivers the best performance for Gemma 3 4B, achieving 85 tok/s at Q8_0 with an excellent rating.

What quantization should I use for Gemma 3 4B?

For the best quality, use Q6_K (3.8 GB VRAM). If your GPU has limited VRAM, Q4_K_M (2.5 GB) is the most efficient option with acceptable quality.

Is Gemma 3 4B good for coding?

Yes. Gemma 3 4B is used with Cursor, Continue, Aider, Open WebUI, LM Studio for local AI coding. For the best coding experience, pair it with an embedding model for local RAG.