Llama 3.1 8B vs Qwen3 8B — the two best small models for an 8GB GPU. Below is the full side-by-side: specifications, API pricing, context window, local hardware requirements, and a clear, data-driven recommendation on which to pick.
| Spec | Llama 3.1 8B | Qwen3 8B |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Meta | Alibaba |
| Type | LLM (dense) | LLM (dense) |
| Parameters | 8B | 8B |
| Context window | 128K | 128K |
| Modality | Text → Text | Text → Text |
| License | Llama 3.1 Community (open) | Apache 2.0 (open) |
| Open weights | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Input price ($/1M) | $0.02 | $0.04 |
| Output price ($/1M) | $0.03 | $0.14 |
| VRAM (4-bit) | ~5 GB | ~5 GB |
| Min GPU (local) | Any 8GB GPU | RTX 3060 8GB / any 8GB GPU |
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |
Key differences
- Cost: Llama 3.1 8B is 189% cheaper than Qwen3 8B on a blended-token basis.
- Openness: both are open-weight, so either can be self-hosted or fine-tuned. Compare their VRAM needs above to see what your GPU can run.
- Run Llama 3.1 8B locally: ~~5 GB at 4-bit (min Any 8GB GPU).
- Run Qwen3 8B locally: ~~5 GB at 4-bit (min RTX 3060 8GB / any 8GB GPU).
Which should you choose?
Choose Llama 3.1 8B if you want the lower per-token cost for high-volume workloads.
Choose Qwen3 8B if it fits your existing stack or you prefer Alibaba.
→ Estimate real costs in the API cost calculator · check local hardware in the VRAM calculator · browse all 30+ models.
All specs and prices are pulled live from our AI models database and kept current. Compare either model against others, or estimate your own monthly spend with the free calculators above.