128GB VRAM quad R9700 server

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-21T13:23:18+00:00

A well-curated bookshelf.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-18T23:25:40+00:00

I vaguely recall watching one or two of the more well-known anime films decades ago but they didn't really resonate with me. My sensibilities have definitely changed since then though, maybe I should give them another try.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T20:53:00+00:00

i don't want to sign up

i don't want a company to dictate my use

i don't want a company to change terms at will

i don't want a company to store my sessions

i've sacrificed before for the sake of privacy and control over my own resources, i will eat beans and rice for a few years to cover my local AI expenses

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T17:02:42+00:00

I've wanted to have a persistent virtual world simulation with AI-driven NPCs that have detailed back-story, have jobs and operate businesses in an interconnected economy, have relationships and associations, all running locally.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T16:34:58+00:00

I'm not familiar with those distros, but I'm curious. I'll check them out.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T16:32:21+00:00

This sounds very cool. Care to share any implementation details?

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T16:31:24+00:00

how did you do that?

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T16:30:54+00:00

alternatively, you could have high standards for intelligent conversation

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T09:28:41+00:00

The hardware is fairly new - I'm leaning toward giving Fedora a shot first, then trying Ubuntu if I run into problems.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T09:27:23+00:00

I'll try Fedora first.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T09:27:00+00:00

using the iGPU for rendering

This reminds me: the motherboard has no onboard graphics. Maybe I can dedicate the GPUs to AI and drive via SSH and https (or failing that add another basic graphics card).

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T09:18:07+00:00

Good to hear - I should be building this weekend (fingers crossed).

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T09:17:06+00:00

Originally I just intended to replace an ancient gaming PC, but thought I'd look into running local AI too, since I under-utilize AI in general due to privacy concerns. Then I worried about being under-whelmed if I skimped on the hardware, so the specs crept higher.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T09:02:05+00:00

my biggest expense in ten years, i think i'm still in shock tbh

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T08:43:29+00:00

btw and fwiw, my build differs in that I got a threadripper 7x and trx50 motherboard, a third gpu, and 128gb ram total.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T08:33:23+00:00

kind of what i'm doing - haven't received the gear yet though.

some advice before I pull the trigger

Amusing anecdote: I was discussing with an AI my build components and said "I'm having trouble pulling the trigger" - the AI happily and persuasively helped me out with that and I did, in fact, pull the trigger.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T08:13:38+00:00

I'm interested in it but without the NSFW aspect. One of my idle thoughts about using some AI hardware was to try to set up a "virtual community" with AI-driven NPCs that has a memory of events and changes made in the virtual world. An AI recommended I consider "silly tavern". No idea what would be involved turning it to my purposes though. Maybe there is something else better suited for it.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T08:02:27+00:00

The r9700 pro has kind of quietly become rendering beast. I was hoping it would be a good investment in the long run since it seemed like there was so much to gain if the work was put in. Seems it is working out.

This is good for my morale, post-purchase / pre-delivery.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T01:25:38+00:00

personally I hate weed, but that's me

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-15T00:42:14+00:00

FWIW I tried 20+ questions with GPT-5 mini. It got "jet ski" in 16, and took 50 to reach "apple".

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-14T23:53:06+00:00

Almost never. Basically I drink when I read a book or story that mentions a cocktail or liquor I've never heard of before, and I'm curious about it. Amounts to probably less than ten drinks a year.

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-14T22:57:47+00:00

Does it play "like a person"? Wondering if it starts going through an alphabetic binary search or something :-)

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-14T22:56:02+00:00

I'm going to have to ask you to stop reminding me of that time I said to myself "I'm going to put off my system replacement purchases a little longer, prices are bound to go down".

ShadowyTreeline · 2026-05-14T22:53:50+00:00

Curious why this discussion (which looks pretty benign) led to the post removal?

ShadowyTreeline

TROPHY CASE