What hardware do I need to run BitNet locally?
Quick Answer
Minimum 4GB RAM, 4-core CPU. No GPU needed. Works on Raspberry Pi 5, old laptops, mini PCs. Only ~1.2GB memory during inference.
Detailed Answer
Minimum: 4GB RAM, 4-core CPU (ARM or x86). Recommended: 8GB RAM, 8-core CPU. BitNet 2B uses only ~400MB for weights and ~1.2GB total during inference. Examples that work: Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB), any laptop from 2018+, old desktop PCs, Intel NUC mini PCs. No GPU required — BitNet is specifically designed for efficient CPU inference, making it ideal for edge deployments and cost-effective self-hosting.


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