Best desktop for local LLMs
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The best desktop for local LLMs depends on model size. For models up to about 32B shared by several people, Olares One is our pick. For 70B and larger on one desk, a Mac Studio M5 Ultra or a 128 GB DGX Spark holds more.
Olares One → Computer for local LLMs → Ollama · vLLM · LM Studio → Local models without the cloud
What kinds of desktops run local LLMs?
They come in three kinds. There are towers with NVIDIA cards, compact boxes with large unified memory such as the Mac Studio and DGX Spark, and small servers such as Olares One. The right one is the smallest that holds your largest model, so size the model first and the desktop second.
A 32B model needs about 19-20 GB, a 70B about 40 GB and a 120B about 65 GB (approximate rule of thumb at 4-bit).
How do the main desktops compare?
They split into 24 GB CUDA machines and 96 GB to 128 GB unified-memory machines. The 24 GB group is faster per GB on CUDA tools and cheaper to enter. The unified group holds 70B and larger models. Bandwidth varies widely, from 273 GB/s on the DGX Spark to 1.2 TB/s on the Mac Studio M5 Ultra, per the makers.
| Desktop | Model memory | Bandwidth (maker) | CUDA | Price (read 12 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olares One | 24 GB VRAM | not stated | Yes | 4,999 USD |
| Used RTX 3090 tower | 24 GB VRAM | 936 GB/s | Yes | about 3,800 USD (SpecPicks estimate) |
| Mac Studio M5 Max (base) | 36 GB unified | 460 GB/s | No | 2,499 USD |
| Mac Studio M5 Ultra (base) | 96 GB unified | 1.2 TB/s | No | 5,499 USD |
| NVIDIA DGX Spark | 128 GB unified | 273 GB/s | Yes | 6,950 USD |
| ASUS Ascent GX10 | 128 GB unified | not stated | Yes | 5,999 USD, out of stock |
| Framework Desktop, 128 GB | 128 GB shared | not stated | No | 3,449 USD, DIY without drive or OS |
| Beelink GTR9 Pro, 128 GB | 128 GB shared | not stated | No | 4,199 USD |
Apple configures the M5 Max up to 128 GB and the M5 Ultra up to 512 GB, at prices above the base figures shown.
Which is the best desktop for local LLMs at each model size?
Up to about 32B shared by several people, we pick Olares One. For 70B, pick 96 GB or more of unified memory, such as a Mac Studio M5 Ultra or a 128 GB GB10 or Ryzen AI Max+ 395 box. For 120B on CUDA, pick the DGX Spark or ASUS GX10.
On macOS, 120B calls for a Mac Studio with more than its base memory. Our pick for the 32B tier holds because Olares One ships as a server. Its OS gives each user an account, remote access and one-click Ollama and Open WebUI, and its CUDA GPU handles image and video models too. Olares says it measured 19 dB at idle in its lab. It can also run gpt-oss-120b by spilling into its 96 GB of RAM, at about 36 tokens per second in Olares' own test, though a 128 GB machine holds that model in fast memory.
On the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 boxes, the share of memory the GPU can use is not always stated. The Mac or PC guide and under 5,000 USD guide narrow the choice, and the best PC covers towers.
Questions & answers
Is the DGX Spark a good desktop for local LLMs?
For large models on CUDA, yes. NVIDIA sells it with 128 GB of unified memory for 6,950 USD (read 12 November 2026). Its listed 273 GB/s bandwidth is below the Mac Studio M5 Ultra's 1.2 TB/s, which usually means slower token generation on large models.
What is the best small desktop for local LLMs?
For CUDA and shared use, Olares One at 320 x 197 x 55 mm. For the largest models in a small box, the DGX Spark at 150 x 150 x 50.5 mm with 128 GB.
Sources for this entry
- Olares One: maker's page (Maker-published)
- Used RTX 3090 tower build: maker's page (Maker-published)
- Apple Mac Studio (M5 Max): maker's page (Maker-published)
- NVIDIA DGX Spark: maker's page (Maker-published)
- ASUS Ascent GX10: maker's page (Maker-published)
- Framework Desktop (Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB): maker's page (Maker-published)
- Beelink GTR9 Pro (Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB): maker's page (Maker-published)
- Olares One FAQ (Olares docs) (Company-published)
- Olares One product page (Company-published)
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Cite this entry
Best Computer for Local LLM. “Best desktop for local LLMs.” Content reviewed 13 November 2026.
https://bestcomputerforlocalllm.com/best-desktop-for-local-llm/