Gemma 4 E2B vs E4B on a laptop: small vs big AI model, measured
Short answer: on a laptop with no graphics card, the small model wins: a good answer in 20 seconds instead of a slightly better one in almost 2 minutes. With a graphics card, take the big one: it's fast there too.
The test
One 16 GB laptop (Intel Core Ultra 5, no graphics card), processor only. One study-style request: explain photosynthesis to a 14-year-old, then write three exam questions about it. We timed until the answer was finished, in September 2026.
| Model | Size | Time to the full answer | What came out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemma 4 E2B | 2.6 GB | 20 s | Complete, well written, three different exam questions |
| Phi-4 Mini | 2.5 GB | 28 s | Complete and correct, but repeated one exam question |
| Gemma 4 E4B | 4.2 GB | 112 s | Complete, the best explanation |
What we learned
1. The small one is good enough for studying
We also asked five quick fact questions: maths, unit conversion, dates and science. Neither small model got one wrong. The small Gemma even showed a second way to work out a percentage without being asked.
2. Its weak spot: counting
Twice, the small model said "here are 5" and then listed a different number. So GreenCube now tells it to count before it writes the number. Small things like this are where a bigger model is safer.
3. With a graphics card, it's a different story
That same bigger model writes at 56 to 72 tokens a second on 8 GB gaming cards, 7 to 9 times faster than on this laptop. On a gaming PC you get the better answers without the wait.
Which one for your PC?
Laptop, no card
Small model. Fast answers, good enough for study, writing and questions.
Gaming PC
Bigger model. Better answers, and still faster than you read.
Making a list?
If it says "here are 5", glance that there are 5. That's the small model's one slip.
Don't want to think about it?
GreenCube checks your PC and picks for you.
See how fast each kind of PC is: we measured 7 PCs here.
Questions
Is a bigger AI model always better?
Its answers are usually a bit better, but on a laptop without a graphics card it is much slower. In our test the bigger model (Gemma 4 E4B) gave the best explanation but took 112 seconds; the small one (Gemma 4 E2B) gave a good answer in 20.
Do small AI models get facts wrong?
In our five quick fact checks (maths, unit conversion, dates, science), neither small model got one wrong. The small one's weak spot was counting: it sometimes announced a number of items and then listed a different number.
Which AI model should I use on my PC?
On a laptop without a graphics card, a small model. On a PC with a graphics card, the bigger one runs fast too (56 to 72 tokens a second on 8 GB cards), so use it. GreenCube picks for you based on your PC.
Your own AI, on your own PC
GreenCube runs on your computer: no usage limits, no subscription, works without internet. €9.99, paid once.
Get GreenCube