FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) vs Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF)
Side-by-side comparison of hardware requirements, quantization options, and specifications to help you choose the right model for your device.
Black Forest Labs
FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF)
12B params
Image GenerationStability AI
Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF)
2.5B params
Image GenerationSpecifications Comparison
| Spec | FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) |
|---|---|---|
| Parameters | 12B | 2.5B |
| Architecture | rectified-flow | mmdit-diffusion |
| License | Apache 2.0 | stability-community |
| Context Length | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Image Generation | Image Generation |
| Author | Black Forest Labs | Stability AI |
| HF Downloads | 573.8K | 5.5K |
| VRAM Range | 14 - 14 GB | 9.15 - 9.15 GB |
| Quantizations | 1 options | 1 options |
| Best Quality Score | 90% | 95% |
Quantization Options
FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF)
Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF)
In-depth comparison
Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) is the better choice for most users due to its superior quality score and lower VRAM requirements. However, FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) is ideal for those who need faster generation times and have more powerful hardware.
When to choose FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF)
FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) is the better pick for users who prioritize speed and can afford the higher VRAM requirements. With its fast 1-4 step generation process, it is ideal for rapid prototyping and scenarios where quick iterations are necessary. Additionally, its state-of-the-art quality makes it a top choice for professionals who need high-resolution, detailed images.
When to choose Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF)
Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) is the better pick for users with limited hardware resources, particularly those with GPUs that have 9.2GB or less VRAM. Its superior text rendering capabilities make it an excellent choice for tasks that require accurate and legible text in images. The model's efficiency and high quality score also make it suitable for a wide range of creative projects, from graphic design to digital art.
Quality
Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) has a slightly higher quality score (95%) compared to FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) (90%). Despite having fewer parameters (2.5B vs 12B), Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) produces images with superior text rendering, which can be crucial for certain applications. However, FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) still delivers high-quality, detailed images, making it a strong contender in terms of visual appeal.
Performance & hardware fit
FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) requires 14.0GB of VRAM, making it suitable for systems with 16GB+ RAM, while Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) only needs 9.2GB of VRAM, fitting better on consumer-grade GPUs. FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) is faster with its 1-4 step generation process, whereas Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) may take longer but offers a balance between performance and resource efficiency.
Use-case fit
| coding | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) is more resource-efficient and can run on a wider range of hardware, making it easier to integrate into coding workflows. |
| creative writing | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) excels in text rendering, making it ideal for generating images that complement creative writing projects. |
| RAG / retrieval | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) is more efficient and can handle a broader range of hardware, making it suitable for retrieval tasks. |
| agent / tool use | FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) | FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) is faster and can generate images quickly, making it a better fit for agents and tools that require rapid response times. |
| running on consumer GPU (8-12GB) | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) | Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) requires only 9.2GB of VRAM, making it a better fit for consumer GPUs with 8-12GB of VRAM. |
| long context (16K+) | Tie | Both models have an unknown context length, so neither has a clear advantage in handling long contexts. |
Stable Diffusion 3 Medium (GGUF) wins for most users due to its superior quality score and lower VRAM requirements. FLUX.1 Schnell (GGUF) is the better choice for those who need faster generation times and have more powerful hardware.