In search of the perfect LLM for local use

A user on the LocalLLaMA forum raised an interesting question: which language model is best suited to be run locally on a GPU with 24GB of VRAM in 2026. The user, who has been using Gemma 3 27b for nine months, wonders if more performing alternatives have been released, capable of making the most of a 3090ti video card.

The goal is to find a versatile model, not specific to programming, agent creation, or role-playing activities, but rather optimized for conversation and answering complex questions. An added value would be the ability to process images.

The landscape of local language models

The ability to run language models directly on your machine offers numerous advantages, including greater privacy, control over data, and the ability to operate even without an internet connection. However, it requires adequate computing power, especially in terms of GPU video memory (VRAM). The user's question highlights the continuous evolution in this field, with increasingly efficient models capable of running on consumer hardware.