AI workstation planning engine

How much GPU memory do you need?

Choose a model and precision to estimate memory. Then check context length or plan the complete workstation.

Estimate GPU memory

INFERENCE

Qwen3 8B · Memory estimate

STANDARD WORKLOAD
1GPU
16 GB memory class5 GB estimated VRAM

4.1 GB model-weight floor + 0.9 GB runtime planning reserve.

Model weightsPlanning reserve

Memory estimates, not speed benchmarks or exact card recommendations. · Review methodology

Choose your parts

Builder & Calculator

Choose parts, check compatibility and power requirements, then review or share the build.

Build Configuration
Select parts, then check power and compatibility.
Planning direction only: confirm slot spacing, chassis clearance, cabling, and deployment constraints before procurement approval. Validation methodology

Memory evidence: No GPU-specific memory measurements published here.

Copy the current selections for review.
Component specifications
System Breakdown
Total GPU Watts: 450W
Total CPU Watts: 170W
Total VRAM: 24GB
RAM Watts: 32W
NVMe Watts: 7W
System Overhead: 75W
GPU
RTX 4090
CPU
Ryzen 9 9950X
RAM
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 128GB (4x32GB) 5600MHz
NVMe
Samsung 990 PRO
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero
Socket: AM5
Max GPUs: 2
PCIe Slots: 2
Slot Spacing: standard
Recommended PSU Models
Corsair HX1200 — 1200W
Corsair AX1600i — 1600W
Seasonic PRIME TX-1600 — 1600W
EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P+ — 1600W
Corsair AX2000 — 2000W
Build Summary
Recommended PSU Target: 1100W
Estimated Wall Power: 899W
Estimated System Load: 809W
Compatibility status: required checks are passing, but one or more items need review.
Compatibility Status
  • UNVERIFIED: ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero does not yet encode a board-specific CPU power/core ceiling; verify the manufacturer CPU support list before procurement.
All 12 compatibility checks
  • PASS: Ryzen 9 9950X and ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero share the AM5 platform.
  • PASS: Ryzen 9 9950X's CPU family is represented in ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero's supported platform set.
  • UNVERIFIED: ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero does not yet encode a board-specific CPU power/core ceiling; verify the manufacturer CPU support list before procurement.
  • PASS: ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero supports the requested 1 CPU(s) at the socket-count level.
  • PASS: RTX 4090 is a PCIe add-in accelerator.
  • PASS: ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero has cataloged expansion capacity for 1 PCIe GPU(s) with the current CPU count.
  • PASS: RTX 4090's 3.5-slot catalog width does not trigger a blocking fitment rule for this planning configuration.
  • PASS: 128 GB is within ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero's cataloged 192 GB memory limit.
  • PASS: Selected DDR5 memory matches ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero.
  • PASS: Selected UDIMM memory matches ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero's supported memory class.
  • PASS: Ryzen 9 9950X's 24-lane catalog budget meets the 16-lane x16-per-GPU planning target.
  • PASS: The 1100W PSU target is covered by the current catalog (up to 2000W).
Builder Validation Notes
  • Platform Expansion Headroom Caution: This configuration is closer to the edge of platform expansion comfort. A build can be planning-level supported while still leaving less room for future growth than expected.
Manual validation still required: physical fit, cable/connector readiness, airflow/thermal density, BIOS or vendor specifics, and deployment environment constraints.
PCIe Lane Status
CPU lane budget: 24 • Minimum target: 8 • Preferred target: 16
  • PCIe lane allocation looks acceptable for the selected GPU count.
CPU lane reference: AMD Ryzen 7000/9000 desktop specs (24 total PCIe lanes)
GPU Fitment Advisory
  • Selected GPU width: 3.5 slots.
  • Requested GPUs: 1.
  • Estimated slot usage: 3.5 slots (typical baseline: ~7 slots).
  • Selected motherboard uses standard slot spacing.
  • Single-GPU fitment is typically straightforward; clearances still depend on exact cooler dimensions and chassis.
Why this board for this build?
  • Matches the selected CPU platform.
  • Supports the requested PCIe GPU count at the catalog level.
  • A practical fit for lower-GPU-count workstation configurations.
  • Provides PCIe slot capacity aligned with the requested build size.
Recommended next step
  1. Confirm fitment and lane notes above.
  2. Share this build URL for internal review.
  3. Validate current market pricing and availability before purchase.

Need deeper context? Cross-check compare tools, recommended baselines, and methodology notes.

Start here

Choose hardware for your workload.

Use the guides below to compare GPUs, choose a platform, or review a starting build.

Start with the task you want to run.

Local LLM Inference

Choose GPU memory and supporting parts for running language models locally.

Use Builder to check power, PCIe lanes, and parts compatibility.

Open the builder baseline →

Image + Video Generation

Compare GPUs for image and video generation, including memory, power, and cooling needs.

Check GPU specifications before choosing parts.

Compare GPU options →

GPU Memory Capacity

Compare 24GB, 48GB, and 96GB GPU memory tiers for local models.

Check model size and context needs before choosing a memory tier.

Review VRAM tier guide →

Multiple GPUs

Check when a second GPU is useful and what additional GPUs require from the system.

Review software support, PCIe lanes, power, and cooling before adding GPUs.

Read GPU-count planning guide →

Desktop, Workstation, or Server

Compare desktop, workstation, and server platforms for your workload.

Check expansion, memory support, and deployment requirements.

Review platform choice guide →

Starting Builds

Review starting configurations and their compatibility limits.

Open a supported preset in Builder to check or change its parts.

Browse recommended builds →