From fdf63dca08300fd375ca0d9461e063d92351b36d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Chris Sherwood Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:45:42 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] docs: answer the RAM question alongside disk Measured on a running install rather than estimated. The README already gave 4 GB and 32 GB; what was missing is why the gap is that wide, which is the model rather than NOMAD, and whether it comes out of VRAM or system RAM. Asked for by @mk-pmb on #1271. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5 (1M context) Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01F8Mgg1vd2eKSs8StZiuyMV --- README.md | 2 +- admin/docs/faq.md | 18 ++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 19 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index c5cedc5e..0213c431 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ At its core, however, NOMAD is still very lightweight. For a barebones installat #### Minimum Specs - Processor: 2 GHz dual-core processor or better -- RAM: 4GB system memory +- RAM: 4GB system memory (the whole stack without AI runs in under 1 GB) - Storage: At least 5 GB free disk space - OS: Debian-based (Ubuntu 26.04 LTS recommended) - Stable internet connection (required during install only) diff --git a/admin/docs/faq.md b/admin/docs/faq.md index a755a36a..f94fc842 100644 --- a/admin/docs/faq.md +++ b/admin/docs/faq.md @@ -29,6 +29,24 @@ NOMAD is designed for capable hardware, especially if you want to use the AI fea **For detailed build recommendations at three price points ($150–$1,000+), see the [Hardware Guide](https://www.projectnomad.us/hardware).** +### How much RAM do I need? + +**Without the AI Assistant, the whole stack sits under 1GB.** Measured on a running +install: the Command Center 241MB, MySQL 444MB, Redis 9MB, Kiwix 101MB, and the +knowledge base index 155MB. That is why 4GB is a real minimum rather than a +defensive one. + +**The AI is the variable, and it is the model rather than NOMAD.** Ollama idles at +roughly 1.2GB, and a model needs about its download size resident while it answers, +so an 8B model at ~4.6GB wants about that much on top. **8GB is workable for a small +model, 16GB is comfortable, and 32GB is the recommendation if you want to run larger +ones.** + +Where that memory comes from depends on your hardware. With a discrete GPU the model +loads into VRAM and never touches system RAM, so VRAM is the number that limits which +models you can run. With an integrated GPU or no GPU at all, it comes out of system +RAM, which is why a CPU-only box needs more of it. + ### How much storage do I need? **To install NOMAD itself: about 5GB, so leave 10GB free.** That covers the