Model Size

What it is

Model size refers to the number of parameters in a model, typically expressed in billions (B). Llama 3.1 comes in 8B, 70B, and 405B versions. Larger models generally have more capability but require more computational resources to run and are more expensive to deploy.

Why it matters

Model size helps you match capability to resources. A 7-8B model can run on consumer GPUs. A 70B model needs serious hardware or cloud deployment. The largest models are only practical via API access. Knowing model sizes helps you understand what's feasible for local deployment versus cloud use.