United States
DeepSeek-R1 Distill Llama 70B
Hardware requirement
EstimatedRunning DeepSeek-R1 Distill Llama 70B as Q4_K_M in Ollama at ~8,192 tokens of context.
How this is calculated
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Model weights
derived
|
40.9 GB | 70.554 billion parameters × 0.58 bytes/param (Q4_K_M) ≈ 40.9 GB. |
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KV cache (context memory)
derived
|
2.7 GB | 8,192 tokens × 80 layers × 2 × 8 KV heads × 128 head dim × 2 bytes ≈ 2.7 GB. Grows with context length. |
|
Runtime overhead
estimate
|
1 GB | Fixed VRAM overhead for Ollama (activations, CUDA context, fragmentation headroom). |
|
Total VRAM to run fully on GPU
estimate
|
44.6 GB | Weights + KV cache + overhead. This is what you need to keep the whole model on the graphics card for full speed. |
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Recommended system RAM
estimate
|
64 GB | Headroom to load the model, run the OS, and hold any layers offloaded from the GPU. Rounded up to a standard kit size. |
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Storage
estimate
|
2 TB NVMe recommended | Local model files are large (often tens of GB each). An NVMe SSD keeps load times reasonable. |
Memory figures are estimates derived from published model facts using a fixed method. They are not benchmarks. We do not publish tokens-per-second figures because we have no measured source for them.
Recommended builds
Minimum
"It runs."
Runs DeepSeek-R1 Distill Llama 70B (Q4_K_M) in Ollama fully on the GPU at ~8K context.
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Graphics CardPNY VCQRTX8000-PB$3,297
This model needs about 45 GB of VRAM under lean settings. The PNY VCQRTX8000-PB (48 GB) is the most affordable card that holds the whole model on the GPU.
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ProcessorAMD Ryzen 5 7500F$0
Local AI inference runs on the GPU, so a capable budget CPU like the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F keeps costs down without holding the model back.
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MotherboardAsus TUF GAMING B650M-E WIFI$0
Matches the CPU socket (AM5) and DDR5 memory; a solid value board with room to expand.
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MemoryG.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 64 GB$225
This model wants about 64 GB of system RAM; the 64 GB DDR5 kit covers it with headroom for the OS and offload.
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StorageCrucial P3 Plus$62
1 TB of NVMe — local model files are large (tens of GB each), and NVMe keeps load times short.
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CPU CoolerNZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB$0
Keeps the CPU cool and quiet under sustained load; compatible with the chosen socket.
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Power SupplyCooler Master G800$0
Estimated system draw is about 555 W; the 800 W unit leaves headroom for GPU power spikes and efficiency.
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CaseDeepcool CH160$0
Fits the motherboard form factor and has clearance for the graphics card ( mm).
2 of 8 parts have live offers.
Recommended
Your pick"The build we would buy."
Runs DeepSeek-R1 Distill Llama 70B (Q4_K_M) in Ollama fully on the GPU at ~8K context.
-
Graphics CardPNY VCQRTX8000-PB$3,297
No single consumer GPU here holds this model fully (~45 GB needed). The PNY VCQRTX8000-PB (48 GB) is the largest option; the rest runs from system RAM.
-
ProcessorAMD Ryzen 5 7500F$0
The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F is a modern DDR5 platform — plenty for feeding the GPU, prompt processing, and everyday work, with an upgrade path.
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MotherboardAsus TUF GAMING B650M-E WIFI$0
Matches the CPU socket (AM5) and DDR5 memory; a solid value board with room to expand.
-
MemoryG.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 64 GB$225
This model wants about 64 GB of system RAM; the 64 GB DDR5 kit covers it with headroom for the OS and offload.
-
StorageSamsung 990 Pro$170
2 TB of NVMe — local model files are large (tens of GB each), and NVMe keeps load times short.
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CPU CoolerCorsair iCUE H150i ELITE LCD XT$0
Keeps the CPU cool and quiet under sustained load; compatible with the chosen socket.
-
Power SupplyCooler Master G800$0
Estimated system draw is about 555 W; the 800 W unit leaves headroom for GPU power spikes and efficiency.
-
CaseDeepcool CH160$0
Fits the motherboard form factor and has clearance for the graphics card ( mm).
2 of 8 parts have live offers.
Max performance
"For users who value performance over budget."
Runs DeepSeek-R1 Distill Llama 70B (Q4_K_M) in Ollama fully on the GPU at ~8K context.
-
Graphics CardPNY VCQRTX8000-PB$3,297
The most VRAM available here (48 GB) — maximum context and headroom, well above the ~45 GB this model needs.
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ProcessorAMD Threadripper 3990X$2,700
The AMD Threadripper 3990X handles heavy multitasking, data prep, and CPU-side tokenization alongside a top GPU.
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MotherboardAsus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI)$0
Matches the CPU socket (AM4) and DDR4 memory; a solid value board with room to expand.
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MemoryG.Skill Ripjaws V 64 GB$1,352
This model wants about 64 GB of system RAM; the 64 GB DDR4 kit covers it with headroom for the OS and offload.
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StorageSamsung 990 Pro$170
2 TB of NVMe — local model files are large (tens of GB each), and NVMe keeps load times short.
-
CPU CoolerAsus ROG STRIX LC 360 RGB GUNDAM$1,621
Keeps the CPU cool and quiet under sustained load; compatible with the chosen socket.
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Power SupplyCooler Master V SFX Platinum$207
Estimated system draw is about 758 W; the 1100 W unit leaves headroom for GPU power spikes and efficiency.
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CaseNZXT H9 Flow (2023)$165
Fits the motherboard form factor and has clearance for the graphics card (435 mm).
2 of 8 parts have live offers.
Totals are the sum of current reference prices for each part, not live retailer pricing. Component choices are made purely on technical fit. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this site. It never changes the price you pay, and it never affects which hardware we recommend. Learn more.