Basic Coding Assistant
basicRun a single local coding model for code completion and chat. The entry-level builder setup: replace API-dependent code completion with a local 7-8B model.
Concurrent VRAM
5.8 GB
Peak VRAM
5.8 GB
Min Bandwidth
200 GB/s
Models
1
VRAM Breakdown
How the 5.8 GB concurrent VRAM is used.
Switched (Loaded As Needed)
These share VRAM with the largest concurrent model. Only one runs at a time.
Q5_K_M
What matters most for this workflow
This workflow fits on surprisingly modest hardware, so the main decision is whether you want the cheapest workable setup or enough headroom to keep the experience snappy.
How to think about the hardware
Treat this as a workflow where convenience and control matter more than raw ROI. Local hardware still makes sense, but the win is predictable latency and ownership, not just monthly cost savings.
Local vs API Costs
Typical Monthly API Cost
$30/mo
Break-Even Point
25 months
Annual Savings
~$288/yr
Based on ~200 Cursor completions/day at ~$1/day API cost. Budget AI Desktop at $753. Privacy and offline access are the main value drivers at this tier, not pure cost savings.
Recommended Builds
Pre-configured builds that can run the Basic Coding Assistant workflow.
Prefer a Mac? Apple Silicon with unified memory can run this workflow too. See the Mac AI Builder workflow →