Starter Kit · One-Time Purchase
The Local AI Build Kit
Plan your hardware, compare models, check memory
Worth $99 — you pay $49 today.
Buy now — $49Instant delivery — download from your in-app library right after checkout. Linked to your account; sign in any time to re-download. All sales final.
Need help getting it set up? Contact support — we're always here to help.
Overview
Most people lose money on their first local-AI machine in one of two ways: they buy a card that can't hold the model they actually wanted, or they buy far more card than the model needs and gain nothing. Both mistakes come from the same confusion — VRAM decides WHAT runs, bandwidth and compute decide HOW FAST. This kit separates the two and answers, for your specific budget and card, what to buy and what will run on it. Reference builds, model shortlists and memory checks help you narrow the choice before testing your exact model and workload.
What's included
- Five reference build profiles, from CPU-only to a GPU workstation — component choices, capacity-planning notes and a repeatable performance-check procedure.
- Model and quantisation shortlist organised by memory tier, with a checklist for confirming the exact file and runtime memory requirements.
- Memory-fit pitfalls covering weights, context cache, image encoders and offload, so you can check the setup before a large download.
- Tuning notes organised by VRAM tier: context length, quantisation choice, KV-cache type, layer offload.
- Drop-in Ollama configs for 6, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 32 GB cards plus Apple Silicon, with two annotated Modelfiles.
- Copy-paste install commands per card, including the parts people get wrong (CUDA, ROCm, unified-memory limits on macOS).
- An OOM troubleshooting sequence covering context, quantisation, offload and memory use.
- A 2026 buying guide for the memory shortage, with a used-GPU inspection checklist.
- hwprofile.py — a dependency-free hardware inventory script with clearly labelled sizing estimates; confirm the exact model and available memory before loading.
Who it's for
- You are about to spend $400-$2,000 on a GPU and want to be right the first time.
- You already have a card and keep hitting "CUDA out of memory" without knowing which lever to pull.
- You are choosing between a used 3090, a new 4070 and a Mac — and every review compares gaming numbers, not tokens/sec.
- You run local models on a laptop or mini PC and need to know the real ceiling before you commit to a workflow.
Use cases
- Spec a machine for a specific model — start from the model you want, work back to the cheapest card that holds it.
- Audit a machine you already own: run hwprofile.py, then compare candidates for your tier in the shortlist.
- Fix a slow setup — most "my GPU is slow" cases are a context-length or KV-cache setting, not the hardware.
- Buy used safely during the shortage, using the inspection checklist before you hand over cash.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same material as the courses?
There is overlap. If you already have Pro or Lifetime, the hardware and model-fit material is covered across the courses and you do not need this — that is stated on the product page too. This exists for people who want the buying decision solved in one afternoon and have no interest in taking a course.
How current are the numbers?
These are reference configurations and model candidates, with no measured performance guarantee. Recheck component availability, prices, model files and runtime support when buying. The kit includes a procedure for measuring throughput on your own setup.
I use AMD / Apple Silicon, not NVIDIA. Is this useful?
Yes. Apple Silicon memory planning and AMD installation guidance are included. Check your exact GPU and operating system against the runtime’s official support list. Performance must be measured on your chosen hardware.
What format is it?
A zip of plain Markdown files, a Python script, and config files. No app, no login, no cloud service. Open it in any editor, keep it forever.
Do I need an account?
No. Buy it and the download link is emailed to you. If you do have an account, the purchase also appears in your library.
Are there refunds?
No — all sales are final, as stated in the terms. The full contents list above is deliberately specific so you can decide before buying rather than after.
After you buy
Purchases are linked to your account — sign in and head to your product library to download anytime. Bought without an account? Check your email for the download link and a one-click way to set a password.
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