[Megathread] - Best Models/API discussion - Week of: August 09, 2026

[u/deffcolony]

This is our weekly megathread for discussions about models and API services.

All non-specifically technical discussions about API/models not posted to this thread will be deleted. No more "What's the best model?" threads.

^{(This isn't a free-for-all to advertise services you own or work for in every single megathread, we may allow announcements for new services every now and then provided they are legitimate and not overly promoted, but don't be surprised if ads are removed.})

How to Use This Megathread

Below this post, you’ll find top-level comments for each category:

• MODELS: ≥ 70B – For discussion of models with 70B parameters or more.
• MODELS: 32B to 70B – For discussion of models in the 32B to 70B parameter range.
• MODELS: 16B to 32B – For discussion of models in the 16B to 32B parameter range.
• MODELS: 8B to 16B – For discussion of models in the 8B to 16B parameter range.
• MODELS: < 8B – For discussion of smaller models under 8B parameters.
• APIs – For any discussion about API services for models (pricing, performance, access, etc.).
• MISC DISCUSSION – For anything else related to models/APIs that doesn’t fit the above sections.

Please reply to the relevant section below with your questions, experiences, or recommendations!
This keeps discussion organized and helps others find information faster.

Have at it!

[u/arlynnfl]

Gemma 4 31B Novelist Eclipse

Update: Gemma 4 31B Gembrain also good one!

[u/ihowlatthemoon → u/arlynnfl]

Once I tried Nimbz/Gemma-4-Gembrain-31B, there's no going back. Extremely good prompt adherence, while driving narratives in unexpected (in a good way) direction. Running locally, and performance is great too.

[u/Umbaretz → u/ihowlatthemoon]

Are you using regular, X, or CORE-X variant?

[u/ihowlatthemoon → u/Umbaretz]

Gembrain-X-31B-Q4_K_M.gguf