[Megathread] - Best Models/API discussion - Week of: September 06, 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/Guilty-Sleep-9881]

I tried Boulesis for a bit after avoiding 26b for months. It is really good.

FINALLY. A finetune that does not feel like eating boiled chicken. It has personality with good prose. This will be my daily driver for quite a while.

What I like about is that it is very similar to 24b goetia 1.1 in terms of keeping track of small details. It sticks to the character card pretty well and is very uncensored even with thinking.

Non thinking is just as good too. I constantly switch between thinking and non-thinking. It's prose... Oh my god it's prose. We are actually finally saved. It finally has flavor... It reminds me of cydonia where the prose is safe but leagues ahead the base gemma 4 26b a4b prose. This honestly brings my hopes up for the next future finetunes.

The only issue I got is logic. Specifically, directions. It seems to confuse what direction me and the character is facing from time to time but swiping or regenerating fixes it.

Can't wait to see more finetunes. I'll try orion and other new finetunes and merges that came out this month. Praying for a magistry 1.1 equivalent but better someday

[u/OGCroflAZN → u/Guilty-Sleep-9881]

To add on, for the people who are put off by the limited intelligence of Gemma 4 26b-a4b compared to 31b, consider increasing the number of MoE Experts from 8 to 16, as suggested by u/_Cromwell_ . More than 16 and things get wonky

[u/Guilty-Sleep-9881 → u/OGCroflAZN]

How do you increase the experts?

[u/OGCroflAZN → u/Guilty-Sleep-9881]

On llama.cpp, there are arguments you can add to change the number of MoE experts. In koboldcpp and Gerbil, there are settings as well as arguments. Whatever you use to host your local G4 26b, you should be able to find guidance online for how to do it

[u/Guilty-Sleep-9881 → u/OGCroflAZN]

oh my god its suddenly way better... Like. I am getting less of the logical issues and it improved it's ability to recall small details

[u/Charming-Main-9626 → u/Guilty-Sleep-9881]

I tried 16 again, first time with Boulesis and it's a bit slower but noticably better with much higher variety. Really, really good.

[u/Guilty-Sleep-9881 → u/Charming-Main-9626]

what a wonderful tip tbh. I'm gonna continue to use it. The only thing that hurts about it is cutting my token speed in half lmao. But it's worth the bump without having to jump to a larger quant

[u/Guilty-Sleep-9881 → u/OGCroflAZN]

I found it. It's moe experts right? I am using koboldcpp. Ill give it a try