got a 16GB GPU? here's exactly which local AI models fit — and the one tier you should skip

16GB is the awkward middle of local AI: too much for the 8B tier, not enough for 32B. Here's what actually runs well, what to avoid, and how to get… Aliteq Lena Fischer · AI & Local Compute Editor

14B class (Q4): your comfortable home — Qwen3-14B and similar, ~10GB with room for context.

8B class (Q4/Q5): runs with lots of context headroom, or at higher quality (Q6/Q8).

MoE models like Qwen3-30B-A3B fit near the edge and run fast (only ~3B active).

Skip the 32B dense tier — it needs ~20GB and won't fit 16GB.

Best cards: RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (efficient), RTX 5070 Ti (faster), used 16GB options.

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