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Build a PC / AI & local models

$3,500 PC for local AI models, part by part

An Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus with the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and the 6 parts around them that fit it: $3,298 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 Ultra 7 270K Plus and the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti are well matched at 1440p.

Change the budget or the job
82Fit for the job

Enthusiast

$3,298 of $3,500

Fractal Design TorrentRTX 5070 Ti1000 W

Build order

Eight steps, the way a builder works through the case. $3,298 all in.

  1. ASUS ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi on the tray
  2. Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in the socket
  3. Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 on top
  4. 4 sticks of memory
  5. Samsung 9100 Pro 2TB on the board
  6. RTX 5070 Ti in the x16 slot
  7. 1000 W supply in the basement
  8. Panel on, power on
PartScore for the jobTypical priceBuy
ProcessorIntel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus

Highest AI & local models score the budget allows next to this card: 24 cores, boosts to 5.5 GHz.

3 swaps that still fit
97
$324
Buy on Amazon
MotherboardASUS ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi

Z890 board for the LGA1851 socket, DDR5, 5 M.2 slots, Wi-Fi.

3 swaps that still fit
92
$290
Buy on Amazon
MemoryG.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 192GB (4x48GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 White

192 GB DDR5 at 6400 MT/s CL32; 64 GB or more is the floor for AI & local models.

93
$749
Buy on Amazon
Graphics cardGeForce RTX 5070 Ti

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

4 swaps that still fit
62
$1,120
Buy on Amazon
CPU coolerArctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360

Rated 330 W for a chip that turbos to 250 W.

4 swaps that still fit
96
$70
Buy on Amazon
Power supplySuper Flower Leadex VII XG 1000W

1000 W, 80 Plus gold; this build draws about 750 W at full tilt, native 12V-2x6 cable.

4 swaps that still fit
92
$140
Buy on Amazon
CaseFractal Design Torrent

5 fans in the box, 4 is the least 550 W of parts needs behind a mesh front. Takes EATX/ATX/MATX/ITX boards and cards up to 461 mm.

4 swaps that still fit
92
$205
Buy on Amazon
StorageSamsung 9100 Pro 2TB

2 TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe, 14,700 MB/s reads, with cache.

4 swaps that still fit
97
$400
Buy on Amazon
Total, typical prices8 parts$3,298

The same list, more or less money

$3,000 PC for local AI modelsWhat $500 less buys, and which parts change.$4,000 PC for local AI modelsWhat $500 more buys, and where it goes.

$3,500 spent on a different job

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