Hardware Requirements

Bittensor $TAO subnets require robust hardware optimized specifically for AI model inference. Miners must serve complex AI models efficiently, while validators assess and score those outputs. Below are recommended hardware configurations for both entry-level and high-performance setups:

Key Hardware Considerations

• VRAM Priority: Large language and vision models demand at least 20 GB of VRAM to run fully in-memory, preventing penalties caused by excessive swapping or offloading.

• CPU Scaling: As GPU counts increase, more CPU cores are necessary to maintain data throughput and avoid bottlenecks in feeding the GPUs.

• RAM & NVMe Storage: Sufficient RAM and fast NVMe SSDs help prevent swap delays when loading multi-gigabyte model checkpoints or caching data batches during inference.

• Network Bandwidth: High-bandwidth, low-latency network connections are critical for validators to reduce query response times and maintain consensus accuracy.

Power and Cooling Recommendations

• Use 80 Plus Gold or Platinum power supplies sized to about 70% of maximum load (e.g., around 850W for single-GPU rigs, and 1.5 to 2 kW for multi-GPU setups).

• Ensure proper cooling with front-to-back airflow or consider liquid cooling solutions. Overheating and thermal throttling reduce hardware efficiency, which directly impacts earned $TAO rewards.