Best computer for Ollama
Last updated
The best computer for Ollama is one whose GPU memory holds your model with room for context. Ollama runs on NVIDIA, Apple Silicon and AMD. Olares One installs Ollama in one click and, in Olares' own test, ran Qwen3-30B-A3B at 107 tokens/s for one request.
Olares One → Computer for local LLMs → Ollama · vLLM · LM Studio → Local models without the cloud
What does Ollama need from a computer?
Ollama needs GPU memory above all. It loads the model into VRAM or unified memory, and when the model does not fit it splits the work between GPU and CPU, which is slower. An 8B model needs about 5 GB, a 14B about 9 GB and a 32B about 19-20 GB (approximate rule of thumb at 4-bit).
Ollama also keeps a model loaded for a while after each request. If you switch models often, room for two helps.
Which platforms does Ollama run on?
Ollama runs on NVIDIA GPUs under Linux and Windows, on Apple Silicon Macs and on AMD hardware. NVIDIA is the most common setup, and a used RTX 3090 tower or Olares One gives 24 GB of VRAM. Apple lists the Mac mini M5 Pro up to 64 GB and the Mac Studio M5 Ultra from 96 GB of unified memory.
The AMD route is the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, with 128 GB of shared memory in boxes like the GMKtec EVO-X2 and Minisforum MS-S1 Max. Check Ollama's AMD support for your operating system before buying. NVIDIA's GB10 machines, the DGX Spark and ASUS GX10, run Linux on Arm with CUDA and 128 GB.
How does Ollama handle several users at once?
Fine for a family, less well for a crowd. In Olares' own benchmark of Qwen3-30B-A3B on Olares One, Ollama gave 107 tokens per second for one request and 32 tokens per second each with 8 at once. Olares' faster serving setup in its tests held about 81 tokens per second each at 8 requests.
| Setup in Olares' test (Qwen3-30B-A3B) | 1 request | 8 at once, each |
|---|---|---|
| Ollama | 107 tokens/s | 32 tokens/s |
| Olares' faster serving setup | 157 tokens/s | about 81 tokens/s |
For agents or many simultaneous users, a batched engine such as vLLM is the usual next step. See computers for local AI agents.
Is Olares One the best computer for Ollama?
It is our pick when Ollama has to serve more than one person or device. Olares One installs Ollama and Open WebUI from the Olares Market in one click, gives each user an account and reaches the API through a built-in VPN. If 70B is your daily model, a Mac Studio is the simpler Ollama machine, and our pick changes.
Olares' FAQ says that when you load more models than fit in VRAM, idle models swap into the 96 GB of system RAM and the active one loads onto the GPU. Dense 70B models still do not fit in 24 GB. The Mac or PC guide covers that case, and the used RTX 3090 guide covers the budget route.
Questions & answers
Does Ollama run better on Mac or NVIDIA?
Both work well. NVIDIA cards are fast within their VRAM. Macs hold larger models in unified memory. Pick by the model size you need.
Can I use Ollama on Olares One from my laptop?
Yes. Install Ollama from the Olares Market and call its API over your network or through Olares' built-in VPN. Open WebUI gives a browser chat page.
Sources for this entry
- Olares blog: local AI hardware benchmarking (Oct 2025) (Company-published)
- Olares One FAQ (Olares docs) (Company-published)
- Olares One: maker's page (Maker-published)
- Used RTX 3090 tower build: maker's page (Maker-published)
- Apple Mac mini (M5 Pro, 64GB): maker's page (Maker-published)
- Apple Mac Studio (M5 Ultra): maker's page (Maker-published)
- GMKtec EVO-X2 (Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB): maker's page (Maker-published)
- Minisforum MS-S1 Max: maker's page (Maker-published)
- NVIDIA DGX Spark: maker's page (Maker-published)
- ASUS Ascent GX10: maker's page (Maker-published)
Continue this reading path
How the related websites connect
Cite this entry
Best Computer for Local LLM. “Best computer for Ollama.” Content reviewed 13 November 2026.
https://bestcomputerforlocalllm.com/best-computer-for-ollama/