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Build a PC / AI & local models

$2,000 PC for local AI models, part by part

An Intel Core i9-14900K with the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB, and the 6 parts around them that fit it: $1,996 all in.

Language and image models on your own card. Every part here was checked against every other for fit, and picked for video memory first, then card speed, then system memory. Typical US prices read on 2026-09-09, not a live checkout total: no operating system, shipping, tax, screen, keyboard or mouse.

The Intel Core i9-14900K and the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB are well matched at 1440p.

Change the budget or the job
69Fit for the job

Sweet spot

$1,996 of $2,000

Montech Air 903 MaxSapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB750 W

Build order

Eight steps, the way a builder works through the case. $1,996 all in.

  1. Gigabyte B760M DS3H DDR4 on the tray
  2. Core i9-14900K in the socket
  3. Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 on top
  4. 2 sticks of memory
  5. Lexar NM790 2TB on the board
  6. Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB in the x16 slot
  7. 750 W supply in the basement
  8. Panel on, power on
PartScore for the jobTypical priceBuy
ProcessorIntel Core i9-14900K

Highest AI & local models score the budget allows next to this card: 24 cores, boosts to 6 GHz.

2 swaps that still fit
94
$470
Buy on Amazon
MotherboardGigabyte B760M DS3H DDR4

B760 board for the LGA1700 socket, DDR4, 2 M.2 slots.

44
$130
Buy on Amazon
MemoryCorsair Vengeance LPX 64GB (2x32GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 White

64 GB DDR4 at 3200 MT/s CL16; 64 GB or more is the floor for AI & local models.

55
$175
Buy on Amazon
Graphics cardSapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB

16 GB of video memory, index 70 at 1440p; tuned for video memory first, then card speed, then system memory.

2 swaps that still fit
54
$720
Buy on Amazon
CPU coolerArctic Liquid Freezer III 240

Rated 280 W for a chip that turbos to 253 W.

2 swaps that still fit
88
$51
Buy on Amazon
Power supplyCorsair CX750

750 W, 80 Plus bronze; this build draws about 750 W at full tilt.

58
$60
Buy on Amazon
CaseMontech Air 903 Max

4 fans in the box, 3 of them lit, 4 is the least 557 W of parts needs behind a mesh front. Takes EATX/ATX/MATX/ITX boards and cards up to 400 mm.

2 swaps that still fit
82
$90
Buy on Amazon
StorageLexar NM790 2TB

2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe, 7,400 MB/s reads.

76
$300
Buy on Amazon
Total, typical prices8 parts$1,996

The same list, more or less money

$1,500 PC for local AI modelsWhat $500 less buys, and which parts change.$2,500 PC for local AI modelsWhat $500 more buys, and where it goes.

$2,000 spent on a different job

The same money buys a different machine when the work changes.