32 GB VRAM · Q4 native Amazon
RTX 5090
Pros
- Runs StarCoder 2 7B at Q4 natively
- 32 GB VRAM — adequate headroom
CPU-capable model ready
StarCoder 2 7B
40 consumer GPUs can run StarCoder 2 7B at Q4 natively. Precise VRAM thresholds and benchmarks below.
40 Compatible GPUs
7B params
16K context
Top pick
RTX 5090 · 32 GB VRAM runs Q4 natively
Prices and availability may change · affiliate link
Javier Morales AI hardware specialist — 8 years of experience
GitHub: github.com/javier-morales-ia
llama.cpp 0.2.x · CUDA 12 · ROCm 6 · updated monthly · methodology →
Execution Context
ARCHITECTURE TRANSFORMER
CONTEXT 16K TOKENS
QUANTIZATION 4-BIT GGUF
PROVIDER BigCode
LICENSE BigCode OpenRAIL-M v1
Hardware Decision
This model requires aEntry GPU (8 GB VRAM)
Compatible GPUs for StarCoder 2 7B
Best picks by compatibility, VRAM headroom, and value — prices and availability may change.
24 GB VRAM · Q4 native Amazon
RTX 4090
Pros
- Runs StarCoder 2 7B at Q4 natively
- 24 GB VRAM — adequate headroom
128 GB VRAM · Q4 native Amazon
M4 Ultra
Pros
- Runs StarCoder 2 7B at Q4 natively
- 128 GB VRAM — adequate headroom
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How to run this model
CPU vs GPU for StarCoder 2 7B →
VRAM Calculator — instant compatibility check
RTX 5090
32 GB · Runs Q4 natively · Check availability
*Prices and availability may change. Some links are affiliate links.
System Requirements
GPU VRAM 4.5 GB Entry GPU
System RAM 16 GB
DDR4/DDR5
Storage 4.5 GB Q4 · SSD recommended
CPU i7 → 8 tok/s Runs without GPU
VRAM by Quantization
| Quantization | VRAM needed | Disk space | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| FP16 (max quality) | 14 GB | 14 GB | Maximum |
| Q8 (high quality) | 7 GB | 7 GB | Near-lossless |
| Q4 (recommended) Best balance | 4.5 GB | 4.5 GB | Recommended |
| Q2 (minimum) | 2.5 GB | 2.5 GB | Quality loss |
Model Details
| Developer | BigCode |
| Parameters | 7B |
| Context window | 16,384 tokens |
| License | BigCode OpenRAIL-M v1 |
| Use cases | coding |
| Released | 2024-02 |
Install with Ollama
ollama run starcoder2:7b Hugging Face
bigcode/starcoder2-7b Technical Requirements
Can your GPU run StarCoder 2 7B?
StarCoder 2 7B requires <strong class="text-primary-container">4.5 GB VRAM</strong> at Q4. 40 consumer GPUs meet this threshold. Below 8 GB or 2.5 GB you'll hit significant offload latency.
2.5GB Critical min
4.5GB Optimal Q4
7GB High Quality Q8
14GB Max FP16
Hardware Performance Matrix
40 Q4 native · 0 offload
| GPU Unit | VRAM | Compatibility | Est. Speed | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 32GB | Optimal | 155 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 4090 | 24GB | Optimal | 95 tok/s | Calculate → |
| M4 Ultra | 128GB | Optimal | 110 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 5080 | 16GB | Optimal | 88 tok/s | Calculate → |
| M3 Ultra | 192GB | Optimal | 95 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 4080 Super | 16GB | Optimal | 72 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | Optimal | 75 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 3090 | 24GB | Optimal | 65 tok/s | Calculate → |
| M4 Max 48GB | 48GB | Optimal | 64 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 7900 XTX | 24GB | Optimal | 80 tok/s | Calculate → |
| M4 Max 36GB | 36GB | Optimal | 62 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 4070 Ti Super | 16GB | Optimal | 60 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 3080 Ti | 12GB | Optimal | 60 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 7900 XT | 20GB | Optimal | 65 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 5070 | 12GB | Optimal | 58 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 3080 | 10GB | Optimal | 45 tok/s | Calculate → |
| M4 Pro | 24GB | Optimal | 45 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 7800 XT | 16GB | Optimal | 48 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 6800 XT | 16GB | Optimal | 32 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 4070 | 12GB | Optimal | 40 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 4060 Ti 16GB | 16GB | Optimal | 35 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 7700 XT | 12GB | Optimal | 30 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 3070 Ti | 8GB | Optimal | 42 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | Optimal | 35 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 3070 | 8GB | Optimal | 34 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 6700 XT | 12GB | Optimal | 22 tok/s | Calculate → |
| M3 Pro | 18GB | Optimal | 32 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 3060 Ti | 8GB | Optimal | 32 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 2080 Ti | 11GB | Optimal | 33 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 3060 | 12GB | Optimal | 30 tok/s | Calculate → |
| M2 Pro | 16GB | Optimal | 28 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 4060 | 8GB | Optimal | 26 tok/s | Calculate → |
| Arc A770 16GB | 16GB | Optimal | 19 tok/s | Calculate → |
| M1 Pro | 16GB | Optimal | 22 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 7600 | 8GB | Optimal | 22 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 6600 XT | 8GB | Optimal | 21 tok/s | Calculate → |
| Arc A750 8GB | 8GB | Optimal | 16 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RX 6600 | 8GB | Optimal | 18 tok/s | Calculate → |
| RTX 3050 8GB | 8GB | Optimal | 16 tok/s | Calculate → |
| GTX 1660 Super | 6GB | Optimal | 20 tok/s | Calculate → |
Recommended GPUs for StarCoder 2 7B
Real Benchmarks
No Paid Reviews
Editorial Pick
Data-driven
Best picks by compatibility, VRAM headroom, and value — prices and availability may change.
RTX 5090
32 GB VRAM
Q4 native
Check availability →
RTX 4090
24 GB VRAM
Q4 native
Check availability →
M4 Ultra
128 GB VRAM
Q4 native
Check availability →
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StarCoder 2 7B — Compatibility guide
StarCoder 2 7B can run on CPU without a dedicated GPU — unusual for a 7B model. On an i7-13700K with llama.cpp Q4 it reaches 8 tok/s (functional for occasional use). With a GPU you get 4–6× more speed — check the VRAM calculator for specifics.
Compare GPUs for StarCoder 2 7B
Which GPU is worth it? Real specs and benchmarks side by side.
Compatible Hardware
GPUs that run StarCoder 2 7B at Q4 — sorted by AI performance score.
Real Benchmarks
No Paid Reviews
Data-driven
Some links are Amazon affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon cookies may last up to 24 hours after your click.
More Practical Alternatives
Similar models in the coding category with comparable VRAM footprints.
Not sure which GPU you need for StarCoder 2 7B?
The VRAM Calculator tells you exactly which quantization your hardware can handle.
RTX 5090
Check availability
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