Can I Run Llama 4 Scout 17B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated October 6, 2026
No. Llama 4 Scout 17B needs 68.2 GB at 8K context (65.8 GB weights + 2.4 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 has only 24 GB. No quantization we publish closes a gap that size.
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The numbers
| Model | Llama 4 Scout 17B |
| Parameters | 17B active / 109B total |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 68.2 GB |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 VRAM | 24 GB |
| Verdict | Does not fit |
Llama 4 Scout 17B on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 24 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 220.4 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 118.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 91.8 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 79.7 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 68.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q3_K_M | 48.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q2_K | 38.2 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
Assumes an 8K-token context with an f16 KV cache. A longer window needs more; a quantized KV cache needs less. “Max context” is the largest window that still fits in 24 GB. Figures are estimates from parameter count, quantization and memory bandwidth — the analyzer lets you tune KV-cache quant and context.
Context costs VRAM too. At Q4_K_M on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090: 8K 68.2 GB ✗ · 32K 73.1 GB ✗ · 128K 92.4 GB ✗. Past 8K it no longer fits 24 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
What to do next
Either step down to a smaller size in this family, or move to a NVIDIA A100 80GB (PCIe) (80 GB), the cheapest card we track with enough VRAM.
No compatible GPU? Llama 4 Scout 17B on 48 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Cheapest card we track with enough VRAM for Llama 4 Scout 17B:
Llama 4 Scout 17B needs ~68 GB but this GPU has 24 GB. Rent a A100 (80 GB)-class GPU by the hour instead of buying one:
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Cloud rates verified 2026-07 — estimates, and marketplace prices vary. Buying price is GPU MSRP only, not a full PC.
Other Llama 4 sizes on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- Llama 4 Maverick 17B — does not fit (243.9 GB)
Llama 4 Scout 17B on nearby hardware
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (32 GB) — does not fit
All Llama 4 sizes on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 | Llama 4 Scout 17B model page | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU page | Check your hardware