What fun is having an AI workstation if you don’t dive deeply into what makes AI work. Inference is maybe 98% of AI tasks from image generation to machine learning and even basic chats and summaries. We rely on model makers to do the heavy lifting and provide models that we can use, either in the cloud or locally.
In my previous articles I discussed the balance between model quality and hardware requirements for running AI models locally. For this article I wanted to discuss software and how my AI Workstation build was designed to work with the software packages and how I can switch between them to complete certain tasks.
Building an AI workstation is rarely about buying the single fastest component on the market; it is about finding the specific "sweet spot" that fits your workload. Whether you are prioritizing VRAM capacity, PCIe lane availability, or thermal management, the right build depends entirely on how you plan to use your machine. The goal isn't just raw power, but the ability to run the tools you need efficiently.
This is the first article in a new AI Hardware series talking about the requirements for running AI Models and why paying attention to these things can help you build a better AI Workstation. If anything learning why a DGX Spark or Mac Mini work but, can also be really slow.
2026 marks the 30th year for Lexar and they started CES off with an announcement that they were going to be the global storage partner for the Argentina National Football (Soccer) Team and launched a number of AI focused storage devices.
While many would argue that the Consumer Electronics Show has transformed beyond its intended purpose there is still some very interesting things that companies show during the event from simple upgrades to personal electronics to the latest in hydrogen powered cargo ships. For the most part you won’t find the latest in computer components at CES, that is unless you know where to look.
The Double Sub project was suffering from port noise called "Chuffing" and to solve this I 3D Printed a custom port and matching flange.
In this project my quest to add boom to my Retro PC pushes me to explore the concept of doubling the output of my two 5.25” Tang Band subwoofers by putting two speakers into a single box. The results will amaze you.
In this project I am on the hunt to find a way to make my Retro PC projects sound better and I am starting by adding a little boom to the existing sound solution. The overall project will become a multi part series as I experiment with different box designs and find out what configuration will be best while still offering a nice desktop experience.
My Sleeper Storage Device rides the wave between a modern PC and the Retro PC. For those looking to add a modern storage solution to their Retro PC build but want to ensure that everything is visually period correct then, my project is a perfect solution.
Now here is something you don't see every day. A Retro PC 386 with a MFM/RLL hard drive installed which is the ultimate expression of true retro computing. It may not be period correct or all that useful but, it is amazing.
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