Local AI Hardware Calculator: What Computer Do You Need?

Use the free local AI hardware calculator to estimate what computer, RAM, VRAM, or Mac unified memory you need for local LLMs, AI coding, image generation, or video generation.

Local AI hardware calculator

Use this free calculator to estimate what computer, RAM, VRAM, GPU, or Mac unified memory you need for local AI work.

What the calculator checks

  • Whether you want local chat, AI coding, image generation, video generation, or agent workflows.
  • Whether you have a normal laptop, Apple Silicon Mac, gaming PC, workstation, or no machine yet.
  • Whether your setup has 8GB to 16GB RAM, 24GB to 32GB memory, 8GB VRAM, 12GB to 16GB VRAM, or 24GB+ VRAM.
  • Whether privacy, speed, or avoiding wasted hardware spend matters most.

Quick local AI hardware answer

Small local LLMs can run on normal laptops. Useful local coding and agent work usually needs more memory, such as a 32GB Mac, a 12GB to 16GB GPU, or a hybrid setup. Image generation benefits from GPU VRAM. Video generation is heavy enough that many beginners should test in the cloud before buying a machine.

Read the local AI guide

For the deeper explanation of VRAM, RAM, unified memory, model size, quantization, runners, and local agent harnesses, read Local AI for Beginners.