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Cost to run Gemma 3 27B: local, rented GPU, and API

Google · 27B parameters · 131.1K context · commercial OK

Local (your GPU)
$0 · ~30 GB VRAM
Rent a GPU
from $0.18/hr
Your API key
$0.27/1M

Best next step

Start with the lower-cost route supported by these inputs

Already have 30 GB of VRAM? Run Q4_K_M locally for $0 compute. Open the local setup guide →

No matching GPU? For a 4,000-token prompt + 2,000-token answer, an API is about $0.0012 — no GPU setup. Open the API option →

Decision basis: 4,000 input + 2,000 output tokens, rate table dated 2026-08-24. Size-based API estimates never beat a provider-sourced rate here; referral status never changes the winner.

What it costs to run Gemma 3 27B — $0 markup

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Novita AI offers model APIs and GPU instances. We do not include its prices in Spanvero's ranking yet, so compare Novita's current price and fit yourself.

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27B multimodal Gemma 3 (image + text), 128K context, 140+ languages.

Price history

up 121% since June 23, 2026

$0.265/1M blended input + output

Published price logged daily since June 23, 2026. See the full price record.

When does owning hardware beat the API?

At $0.27/1M tokens, the cheapest API for Gemma 3 27B stays cheaper than an RTX 5090 at any daily volume — electricity alone costs more per token than the API does.

Local is never $0 — every figure here includes electricity and hardware amortization. Speeds come from published 7-8B Q4 benchmarks (your model, quant, and context will differ); break-even volumes are rounded to 2 significant figures.

Gemma 3 27B VRAM & system requirements

Gemma 3 27B — key facts (as of 2026-08-24)
Parameters27B
Context window131.1K tokens
Recommended quantQ4_K_M
VRAM requirement~30 GB (at Q4_K_M, 16.4K context)
Download size~16 GB
LicenseCommercial use OK

Open the free LLM cost calculator → to model your workload, monthly cost, and break-even assumptions.

Quick answers about Gemma 3 27B

How much does it cost to run Gemma 3 27B?

Three paths: $0 marginal compute on already-owned hardware if the calculated 30 GB VRAM baseline at Q4_K_M fits your exact build and runner (electricity and allocated hardware excluded); a rented GPU from $0.18/hr (3× NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB at the direct Vast.ai price); or about $0.27 per 1M blended tokens via your own API key (provider-sourced rate dated 2026-08-24). Spanvero adds $0 markup on every path.

Can I run Gemma 3 27B locally?

Spanvero calculates a baseline of about 30 GB of VRAM/unified memory for Gemma 3 27B at Q4_K_M with 16.4K context. Actual fit depends on the exact build, runner, context, and overhead. After download it can run offline; marginal compute can be $0 on hardware you already own, excluding electricity and allocated hardware cost.

What GPU do I need to run Gemma 3 27B?

Spanvero calculates about 30 GB of VRAM/unified memory for Gemma 3 27B at Q4_K_M; actual fit depends on the exact build, runner, context, and overhead. The smallest tracked consumer preset above that baseline is an RTX 5090, but verify your configuration before downloading.

Compare Gemma 3 27B

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Spanvero · What's new · Prices as of 2026-08-24. We're an honest advisor — $0 markup, your own accounts, we never resell compute. © 2026 Cynosure LLC.

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