MODEL · NVLABS + MIT HAN LAB · 0.6B / 1.6B (LINEAR-ATTENTION DIT)
SANA (0.6B / 1.6B)
NVLabs + MIT Han Lab's linear-attention diffusion transformer. Fastest image generation at any given quality tier in its class — 23–39× faster than FLUX-dev on the same hardware.
License: NVIDIA NSCL v2 — non-commercial (easy misread as MIT; it is NOT) · Context: Up to 4K × 4K; sub-second 1024² on 16 GB GPU · Released: October 2024 (1.6B) / 2025 (Sprint variants)
The decision in five lines
- The call
- Consider — for image
- Best for
- image
- Runs on
- 23 hardware picks fit (cheapest: Intel Arc B580 12 GB · $249)
- Watch out
- Also skip if absolute photorealism at complex compositions matters — linear attention trades some fidelity for speed.
- Evidence
- Estimated
- 0.6B
- PARAMETERS
- IMAGE GEN
- TYPE
- Up
- CONTEXT
- ~2 GB (0.6B) / ~5 GB (1.6B)
- 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
NVLabs + MIT Han Lab's linear-attention diffusion transformer. Fastest image generation at any given quality tier in its class — 23–39× faster than FLUX-dev on the same hardware.
When not to use: Anything commercial — NSCL v2 blocks it, period. Also skip if absolute photorealism at complex compositions matters — linear attention trades some fidelity for speed.
Runner notes
Diffusers `SanaPipeline` or ComfyUI with SANA custom nodes. Always disclose the NSCL restriction in anything you publish using it — users assume NVIDIA = permissive, which is wrong here.
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 · 3.9× 12 GB · $249–$299
- NVIDIA RTX 3060 12 GBPerfect · 3.9× 12 GB · $280–$400
- Minisforum UM890 ProPerfect · 7.8× 32 GB DDR5 (shared) · $463–$580 all-in
- RTX 5060 Ti 16 GBPerfect · 5.2× 16 GB · $560–$610
- AMD Radeon RX 9070 XTPerfect · 5.2× 16 GB · $649–$779
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTXPerfect · 7.8× 24 GB · $760 used / ~$1,500 new
- Mac Mini M4 16 GBPerfect · 3.5× 16 GB unified · $799 (new floor) / $499–$599 (eBay/residuals)
- NVIDIA RTX 3090 (used, single)Perfect · 7.8× 24 GB · $950–$1,200
- NVIDIA RTX 5070 TiPerfect · 5.2× 16 GB · $980–$1,300
- NVIDIA RTX 5080Perfect · 5.2× 16 GB · $999–$1,400
- MacBook Air M5 24 GBPerfect · 5.2× 24 GB unified · $1,299–$1,699
- Mac Mini M4 Pro 24 GBPerfect · 5.2× 24 GB unified · $1,399
- Dual RTX 3090 (used)Perfect · 15.6× 48 GB · $1,800–$2,500 all-in
- Framework Desktop (Ryzen AI Max+ 395)Perfect · 27.9× 128 GB unified · $1,999–$2,851
- NVIDIA RTX 4090Perfect · 7.8× 24 GB · $2,200–$2,800
- M5 Pro MacBook Pro 48 GBPerfect · 10.5× 48 GB unified · $2,599–$3,099
- NVIDIA RTX 5090Perfect · 10.4× 32 GB · $2,910–$4,300
- Mac Studio M4 Max 64 GBPerfect · 13.9× 64 GB unified · $3,199
- NVIDIA RTX A6000 (48 GB, used)Perfect · 15.6× 48 GB ECC · $3,500–$4,500
- Mac Studio M3 Ultra 96 GBPerfect · 20.9× 96 GB unified · $3,999
- M5 Max MacBook Pro 64 GBPerfect · 13.9× 64 GB unified · $4,499
- NVIDIA DGX SparkPerfect · 27.9× 128 GB unified · $4,699
- Dual RTX 5090Perfect · 20.8× 64 GB (2×32) · $8,500–$10,500
Next step
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