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You can run a local AI model on a mini PC with a local inference runner such as Ollama, but quiet operation and low power use are outcomes to measure—not qualities established by a CPU name or a manufacturer’s adjective. Choose hardware for your model and context needs, install the runner, test a modest model, confirm where it runs, then measure the system under your own workload before deciding whether to allow network access.
1. Choose a mini PC for the model you intend to run
Start with the models, context sizes and number of simultaneous users you expect—not with a product label such as “AI PC.” Model performance depends on the hardware. Ollama cautions that larger models can be slow on a computer without a strong GPU; there is no reliable model-size or tokens-per-second promise without testing the exact machine, software and model combination. See Ollama’s Linux download page for its hardware-dependent speed guidance.
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Memory is a practical constraint: the model and its context need room alongside the operating system and other services. Integrated graphics share system memory, so installed RAM is not all available for model weights and context. Treat the memory capacity as a starting point, not a guarantee that a particular model will fit or run well.
Use specifications as a shortlist, not a performance result
For one concrete example, MINISFORUM lists the UM790 Pro with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS, Radeon 780M integrated graphics, two SODIMM slots supporting up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR5, two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots and 2.5G Ethernet. These are manufacturer-listed specifications, not independent local-inference benchmarks. The page also describes active memory and drive cooling with “silent fans,” but reports neither measured noise nor idle or workload power. See the MINISFORUM UM790 Pro product page.
#1 Best Overall
- 【AMD Ryzen 4300U True 4-Core CPU: Outperforms N95 & i3-10110U】KAMRUI P2 Mini PC is equipped with true 4-core AMD Ryzen 4300U processor built on advanced 7nm Zen2 architecture，This means you get consistent, unthrottled performance for hours on end, whether you’re running multiple browser tabs, streaming 4K content, or managing virtual machines. Compare that to Intel N95 (4 efficiency cores that throttle under load) or Intel i3-10110U (only 2 cores total), and the difference is night and day: The KAMRUI P2 AMD Ryzen 4300U (28W) is 40% faster than the Intel i3-10110U and 25% faster than the Intel N95 in multi-core tasks, ensuring smooth, lag-free performance even during heavy workloads.
- 【Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics: 2.5X Stronger for Tri 4K】The KAMRUI P2 AMD 4300U Mini PC have unlocked the full potential of the built-in AMD Radeon Vega 5 graphics with 28W power delivery, making it 2.5 times stronger than the Intel UHD graphics found in the N95 and i3-10110U. This means you can enjoy Tri 4K@60Hz displays without a single stutter, perfect for productivity setups, home theaters, or even light photo/video editing and casual gaming. While the Intel N95/i3-10110U struggle to run a single 4K display without lag, The KAMRUI AMD 4300U Mini PC handles Tri 4K effortlessly, turning your workspace into a high-efficiency hub or your living room into a premium entertainment center.
- 【Large Storage Capacity, Easy Expansion】KAMRUI Pinova P2 mini computers is equipped with 16GB LPDDR4 for faster multitasking and smooth application switching. 512GB M.2 SSD ensures fast startup, fast file transfers and plenty of storage space,eliminating slow loading times and ensuring fast responsiveness. the two storage slots (1x M.2 2280 SATA/NVMe PCIe3.0 slot, 1x M.2 2280 SATA slot) can be combined to provide up to 4TB of total storage(Not included). This gives you enough space for all your projects, media and data.
- 【4K Triple Display】KAMRUI Pinova P2 4300U mini desktop computers is equipped with HDMI2.0 ×1 +DP1.4 ×1+USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C ×1 interfaces for faster transmission, Triple 4K@60Hz Display, KAMRUI P2 mini computer is ideal for visual home entertainment, home office, conference rooms, etc. USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A port ×2 with a transfer speed of up to 10 Gbps (21 times faster than USB 2.0) for efficient data transfer. Ideal for seamless multitasking between spreadsheets, browsers and presentations, or for an immersive entertainment experience.
- 【USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C 10Gbps, Versatile connectivity】KAMRUI P2 mini desktop pc fast and versatile connectivity! The USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C port offers a data transfer rate of 10Gbps and simultaneously supports DisplayPort 1.4 video output. The P2 AMD Ryzen 4300U Mini PC is complemented by Gigabit LAN, WiFi and Bluetooth, so nothing stands in the way of a productive working environment.
Compare the factors that affect your actual use
- Whether the runner supports the GPU path on your operating system and which drivers it requires.
- Usable system memory and the model/context combination you need to fit.
- Measured idle and inference power, plus sustained fan noise at your intended seating distance.
- Cooling and thermal behavior during longer runs.
- SSD capacity and expansion, Ethernet, warranty and support, and the price in your region.
There is not enough comparable test data here to rank current mini PCs. Use these criteria to evaluate the exact configurations available where you live; prices, included memory and storage, and regional configurations can differ.
2. Install a local inference runner
Ollama offers downloads for macOS, Windows and Linux through its official download page and a cross-platform quickstart. Use the current instructions for your operating system, since installation steps and hardware support can change. For Linux, the documented install command is:
Rank #2
- 【Great power in a small computer】Get fast performance from the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U CPU (2.1GHz-3.7GHz, 4 Cores 8 Threads) inside this mini pc, TDP 15W up to 25W. It's perfect for all your home office and business use, like daily computing, web browsing, and smooth media streaming. This small desktop computer handles everyday tasks easily and quietly.
- 【Work on many things at once with lots of storage】This mini PC comes with 16GB of fast DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 32GB), allowing you to smoothly run multiple programs, dozens of browser tabs, and large files all at once. It also features a spacious 512GB NVMe SSD that provides ample storage and delivers dramatically faster boot-ups, app launches, and file transfers compared to a traditional hard drive.
- 【See everything clearly on one or two 4K screens】Connect one or two monitors for more space to work or play. Dual HDMI ports on this mini pc support super sharp 4K Ultra HD video. It's great for doubling your work area for business or watching movies in high definition.
- 【Fast modern connections in a tiny box】Enjoy a better and more stable internet connection with the latest WiFi 6. Use Bluetooth 5.3 to connect wireless headphones, keyboards, and mice without wires. This small pc is very compact to save desk space and has extra USB ports (USB 2.0×2, USB 3.0×2, Type-c 2.0×1, Type-c 3.2 full featured×1, HDMI×2) for your printer, webcam, or other computer accessories.
- 【Reliable Warranty and Support】We provides 1 year warranty for each Mini computers. So you don't need to worry about any product problems. If you have any questions about the product, please contact our customer service, we will provide 24-hour professional technical support and serve you at any time.
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | shGPU acceleration is platform- and hardware-dependent. Ollama’s GPU support documentation lists NVIDIA requirements, AMD ROCm requirements and additional AMD devices supported through Vulkan. In a release announcement dated June 5, 2026, Ollama said Vulkan was enabled by default in Ollama 0.30 to extend GPU acceleration to more AMD and Intel devices. Check the current support page for your machine and software version; an integrated GPU is not automatically supported for every model.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3. Start with a modest model and verify placement
First establish that the model downloads, serves and responds to a client. Begin with a modest model rather than assuming the mini PC can handle a larger one, then increase model size or context only if performance and memory use are acceptable. Ollama’s documentation does not provide a universal model-size-to-RAM table for the UM790 Pro or other mini PCs, so the right fit must be checked on your configuration.
Rank #3
- 【AMD Ryzen 3 5300U CPU: Outperforms N150 & 3500U】 BOSGAME E5 mini PC is powered by the TSMC 7nm FinFET architecture AMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 3.8GHz boost, 6MB total cache). Compared to low-end Intel N150 or 3500U chips which only have 4 single threads and throttle under load, the 5300U delivers over 30% faster multi-core speed. Run 30+ browser tabs, large Excel sheets, and Zoom meetings simultaneously without system lag.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB NVMe SSD Storage】 Installed with high-speed 8GB DDR4 dual-channel memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, eliminating slow boot times and application loading delays. To accommodate growing data requirements, the upgradeable hardware design features dual SODIMM slots that allow you to expand memory up to 64GB RAM, ensuring smooth operation during heavy multitasking.
- 【High-Capacity Dual M.2 SSD Storage Expansion】 Never worry about running out of space for your business files. In addition to the pre-installed 256GB system drive, the motherboard houses an extra empty internal M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slot. This allows you to easily add a second solid-state drive for up to an additional 2TB of storage capacity (upgrades not included) without needing to remove or reinstall the original operating system.
- 【Radeon 6-Core Graphics & Triple 4K Displays】 Integrated with official AMD Radeon Graphics (6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz frequency) for casual gaming, photo editing, and crisp 4K media decoding. Featuring 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x Full-Function Type-C port, the E5 outputs true 4K@60Hz resolution to three monitors at once. This multi-screen setup eliminates constant window-switching for traders, programmers, and office workers.
- 【Dual 2.5GbE LAN Ports for Advanced Networking】 Experience fast wired network transmission speeds up to 2500Mbps without lagging or buffering. The integration of dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (powered by Realtek RTL8125 controller) makes this compact computer an exceptional hardware choice for tech enthusiasts. Easily configure it into software routers, hardware firewalls (pfSense, OpnSense), home NAS servers, or local homelabs.
Ollama’s FAQ says the default context window is 4096 tokens and explains how to change it. A larger context can affect resource needs; set it for the task rather than raising it without a reason.
Check whether the CPU, GPU or both are doing the work
Run this command while a model is loaded:
ollama psThe Processor field indicates whether the model is placed on GPU, CPU, or split between them. If the result is CPU-only or split, that tells you how this installation is actually running; it does not by itself establish whether the speed is suitable for your workload.
Rank #4
- Office Gaming Mini PC - UPGRADED GMKtec Nucbox M5 Ultra Series is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 8 Cores/16 Threads, Base 2.00GHz (Power Saving Quiet Mode) with Turbo Boost up to 4.50GHz (Performance Mode) in BIOS settings, Based on the ZEN 3+ architecture, this small but powerful mini pc delivers satisfying results in productivity, office work, and gaming. 35% Performance increase over AMD Ryzen 5 7430U/ Ryzen 7 5700U, 5600U, 5560U, 5500U.
- 16GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB PCIe SSD - Installed with DDR4 16GB RAM (1x16GB), the Nucbox M5 Ultra mini pc support expansion to 64GB RAM. Featured with 256GB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD, support dual slot expansion to 4TB SSD. (Upgrades not included)
- DUAL NIC LAN 2.5G RJ45 - Fast Network Speeds: Enjoy up to 2500Mbps data transmission speed without worrying about lagging. Ideal for working, gaming, and surfing the internet. Great for Untangle, Pfsense or as a server office PC.
- Mini Desktop Computer with 4K Triple Screen Display - Nucbox M5 Ultra integrates AMD Radeon Graphics 8 Cores 2000 MHz GPU to deliver powerful graphics processing power to easily handle the demands of complex design software, 4K@60Hz UHD video editing, and playback. It can connect to 3 display screens simultaneously.
- Fast Internet WiFi 6E + BT5.2 Connection - GMKtec Mini PC with WiFi-6E Wireless, have 2.5G/5G/6G triple band, more faster and lower latency. Bluetooth 5.2 allowing you more quickly to connect other wireless devices (headset, mouse, keyboard, etc.) Interface features 2*USB3.2 ports, 2*USB2.0 ports, 1*HDMI 2.0 port(4K@60Hz), 1*USB-C port(PD/DP/DATA), 1*DP Port, 1*Audio 3.5mm (HP&MIC), 1*DC Power Port.
Move model files if the system drive is tight
Ollama documents the OLLAMA_MODELS environment variable for selecting another model directory. A second compatible SSD can provide more room on a system with an available storage slot; the UM790 Pro product page lists two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slots. Check the exact mini PC configuration and SSD compatibility before purchasing or installing a drive.
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Use a plug-in power meter to record wall power at idle and while the mini PC generates a typical response. Assess sound from the distance where you plan to sit, first at idle and again after a sustained run, when the cooling system has had time to respond. Note the model, context, operating conditions and whether other services were running so that later readings are comparable. These are practical measurement steps, not published test results for the example machine.
Best Value
- WHY CHOOSE G3 ULTRA MINI PC PENTIUM GOLD 7505 - Choose the Intel Pentium Gold 7505 for snappier everyday responsiveness: It delivers up to 30% faster single-core performance than the Ryzen 5 3500U, making office apps and web browsing feel noticeably quicker, while its Intel UHD Graphics (48 EUs) provides 2.4x the GPU performance of the N100 & N150's 24-EU graphics, ensuring smoother 4K streaming and light photo editing.
- 16GB RAM MEMORY & 512GB STORAGE - GMKtec Nucbox G3 Ultra mini computer is prebuilt with 16GB LPDDR4 RAM at 3200 MT/s, you will enjoy a speedier experience with Built-in 512GB M.2 SATA Hard Drive. Our mini desktop pc boots up in seconds, work on multiple browser tabs, software applications and quickly transfers files. There is a primary slot and secondary expansion storage. Primary slot is M.2 2280 PCIE and secondary slot is M.2 2280 SATA.
- RICH INTERFACE - Nucbox pentium mini computer is equipped with 3* USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, up to 10Gbps/S, 1*USB 2.0, HDMI(4K@60Hz)*2, 3.5mm Audio Jack. Supports WiFi 6, and Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 2.5GbE network connectivity, Bluetooth 5.2. This Mini PC supports multiple device connection and can be used with servers, monitoring equipment, office equipment, displays, projectors, televisions, etc.
- 4K DUAL SCREEN DISPLAY - Mini desktop computer is equipped with upgraded Intel Graphics(max 1000MHz), supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding, connect the pc with a projector as a home theatre, enjoy a variety of entertainments. Two HDMI 2.0 ports allows you to multi-task efficiently on two 4K@60Hz displays.
- UPGRADED COOLING FAN - The G3 Ultra has upgraded the cooling fan to reduce fan noise and thermals. We are using an upgraded thermal paste as well to help reduce heat on the CPU.
MINISFORUM’s description of “silent fans” is qualitative. Its UM790 Pro page does not give a decibel figure, measured idle consumption or workload power figure. The only dependable answer to whether a particular unit is quiet and low-power in your room is a measurement of that unit under the work you plan to do.
5. Choose local-only use or trusted-network access
Keep it on the machine
For use from the mini PC itself, leave Ollama at its local default rather than changing its network binding. Ollama says locally run prompts and data are not sent back to Ollama. Its FAQ distinguishes that from cloud-hosted models, which process prompts and responses to provide the service.
Allow another device on your home network
If another device on a trusted private network needs to connect, Ollama’s FAQ documents configuring OLLAMA_HOST, including Linux systemd and other operating systems. Follow the current instructions for your installation. Binding a service to all network interfaces can make it reachable beyond the machine; do not treat that setting as safe on arbitrary networks. Decide which devices should have access and put appropriate network controls in place before exposing the service.
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Disable cloud features if you want a local-only configuration
Ollama documents disabling its cloud features with OLLAMA_NO_CLOUD=1 or a server configuration setting. Consult the FAQ’s current configuration guidance for the applicable method on your operating system.
Quick Recap
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