MODEL · ALIBABA · 9B DENSE
Qwen 3.5 9B
Strongest "runs on a mid-tier GPU" model in the Qwen 3.5 small line — supports thinking mode and 201-language coverage. Fits 8 GB VRAM with headroom.
License: Apache 2.0 · Context: 262K native, extendable to ~1M · Released: March 2, 2026
The decision in five lines
- The call
- Consider — for coding
- Best for
- coding · chat · docs · agents
- Runs on
- 23 hardware picks fit (cheapest: Intel Arc B580 12 GB · $310)
- Watch out
- Pure coding at top-tier quality — Qwen3-Coder-30B-A3B beats it on SWE-rebench while using similar active compute.
- Evidence
- Estimated
- 9B dense
- PARAMETERS
- DENSE
- TYPE
- 262K
- CONTEXT
- ~5 GB
- VRAM AT Q4
Where we recommend this
Every tier slot in the planner where this model is a top or alternate pick. Pulled live from planner.js — when the planner refreshes, this table stays current.
The call
Strongest "runs on a mid-tier GPU" model in the Qwen 3.5 small line — supports thinking mode and 201-language coverage. Fits 8 GB VRAM with headroom.
When not to use: Pure coding at top-tier quality — Qwen3-Coder-30B-A3B beats it on SWE-rebench while using similar active compute. Step up to 27B or 35B-A3B for hard reasoning.
Runner notes
Ollama base tag `qwen3.5` covers the family; specific size via `qwen3.5:9b`. MLX works well on Mac. No known platform gotchas.
Hardware that fits
Every hardware pick whose memory fits this model at the quant we recommend. Sorted cheapest-first — the top row is your best-value fit. Click through for the full buyer’s guide.
- Intel Arc B580 12 GBPerfect · 1.8× 12 GB · $310–$429 new / $190–$260 refurb
- Minisforum UM890 ProPerfect · 3.7× 32 GB DDR5 (shared) · $463 barebone (no RAM / SSD); $991 with 32 GB / 1 TB — Minisforum US store, Sep 15 2026
- NVIDIA RTX 3060 12 GBPerfect · 1.8× 12 GB · $480–$660
- RTX 5060 Ti 16 GBPerfect · 2.5× 16 GB · $700 (refurb / open box) – $970 (new)
- AMD Radeon RX 9070 XTPerfect · 2.5× 16 GB · $750–$870
- Mac Mini M4 16 GBPerfect · 1.6× 16 GB unified · $899 (M6 successor, 16 GB / 256 GB, pre-order) / M4 residuals $499–$799
- NVIDIA RTX 3090 (used, single)Perfect · 3.7× 24 GB · $950–$1,200
- NVIDIA RTX 5070 TiPerfect · 2.5× 16 GB · $1,150–$1,300 new; open-box / refurb from ~$1,020
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTXPerfect · 3.7× 24 GB · $1,300–$1,500 new (no refurb in stock Sep 15 2026)
- NVIDIA RTX 5080Perfect · 2.5× 16 GB · $1,430–$1,700
- MacBook Air M5 24 GBPerfect · 2.5× 24 GB unified · $1,499–$1,899
- Mac Mini M4 Pro 24 GBPerfect · 2.5× 24 GB unified · $1,699 (M5 Pro successor, 24 GB / 512 GB, pre-order; M4 Pro discontinued Aug 25 2026)
- Dual RTX 3090 (used)Perfect · 7.4× 48 GB · $1,800–$2,500 all-in
- NVIDIA RTX 4090Perfect · 3.7× 24 GB · $2,200–$2,800
- M5 Pro MacBook Pro 48 GBPerfect · 4.9× 48 GB unified · $2,999–$3,599
- Framework Desktop (Ryzen AI Max+ 395)Perfect · 13.2× 128 GB unified · $3,449 (128 GB config)
- NVIDIA RTX A6000 (48 GB, used)Perfect · 7.4× 48 GB ECC · $3,500–$4,500
- Mac Studio M4 Max 64 GBPerfect · 6.6× 64 GB unified · $3,799 (M5 Max successor, 64 GB / 1 TB, pre-order; M4 Max discontinued Aug 25 2026)
- NVIDIA DGX SparkPerfect · 13.2× 128 GB unified · $4,699
- M5 Max MacBook Pro 64 GBPerfect · 6.6× 64 GB unified · ~$5,199 (est.; June 25 2026 increase)
- Mac Studio M3 Ultra 96 GBPerfect · 9.9× 96 GB unified · $5,499 (M5 Ultra successor, 96 GB / 1 TB, pre-order; M3 Ultra discontinued Aug 25 2026)
- NVIDIA RTX 5090Perfect · 4.9× 32 GB · $6,450–$7,000 (new, in stock)
- Dual RTX 5090Perfect · 9.8× 64 GB (2×32) · $13,300–$14,000 all-in (two cards alone are ~$12,900 at the Sep 15 2026 Newegg floor)
Next step
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