CALIBRATED 2026-07-27 · REC 003
Local AI Frontier

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Your path through local AI

Five steps from "I think I want local AI" to a working, evidence-backed decision. Skip what you already know.

  1. 01

    Name your workload

    Before any GPU shopping, write down what you actually want local AI to do. Code completion? Document Q&A? Sales-call rehearsal? Different workloads have different minimums.

  2. 02

    Check what you already have

    Use Model Fit with your current GPU's VRAM and system RAM. You may already be able to run something useful — or confirm you need an upgrade.

  3. 03

    Read the relevant benchmarks

    Filter the benchmark index by your platform and target model. Real numbers beat spec sheets every time.

  4. 04

    Pick a build or upgrade path

    Matched to budget and workload, with parts and total cost dated. No "best of" filler — these are tested recipes.

  5. 05

    Run it and tell us if we got it right

    Once you build, compare your numbers to ours. If something is off — tell us, and we'll publish a correction.