The hardware basics behind local AI and everyday PC buying: what VRAM is and how much you need, how quantization shrinks models, unified memory versus discrete GPUs, RAM pricing, eGPUs and small-form-factor cases. Every spec is linked to its source.
13 articles
What Is VRAM and How Much Do You Need? (AI and Gaming)
VRAM explained: what video memory does, why it limits AI models and games, and how much you need for local LLMs…
Read →What Is VRAM and How Much Do You Need for Local LLMs?
VRAM needed to run LLMs locally by model size and quantization, from 4B to 671B, with the cheapest GPU or system…
Read →VRAM vs RAM
VRAM vs RAM explained: where each sits, how fast each is, and why VRAM matters more for local AI and gaming.…
Read →How Much RAM Do I Need for a PC in 2026?
How much RAM for a PC: practical guidance for everyday use, gaming, creative work and running AI models…
Read →How Much RAM for Local AI and LLMs (Is 128GB RAM Worth It?)
How much system RAM you need to run LLMs locally, and when 128GB RAM makes sense: with a GPU, on CPU only, or on…
Read →LLM Quantization Explained
What LLM quantization is, how Q4, Q5, Q8 and FP16 change VRAM use, and how to pick a level for your…
Read →Unified Memory vs VRAM for LLMs
How unified memory compares to discrete GPU VRAM for running LLMs: capacity, bandwidth and what fits on Apple…
Read →What Is an AI PC? NPUs Explained (Neutral Guide)
What an AI PC is, what an NPU does, how Copilot+ PCs fit in, and what matters if you want to run AI models…
Read →What Is a Copilot+ PC? (Neutral Explainer)
What Microsoft means by a Copilot+ PC, the hardware requirements, and how it relates to running AI models…
Read →OCuLink and eGPUs
OCuLink explained, OCuLink vs Thunderbolt for an external GPU for a laptop or mini PC, and what to check in an…
Read →Mini PC and SFF Cases
How to choose a mini PC or small form factor (SFF) case: motherboard size, GPU clearance, cooling and power supply…
Read →How Much Does a Personal Computer Cost in 2026?
Personal computer prices in 2026 by use: everyday PCs, gaming PCs, and AI-capable desktops and mini PCs, with…
Read →RAM Prices 2026
RAM price tracker: why DDR5 RAM prices rose in 2026, what memory makers and analysts forecast, and whether RAM…
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