Hardware Requirements for Generative AI: Building a Suitable Environment

Generative AI Hardware Requirements: Unlocking the Potential with the Right Setup

Generative AI is an innovative technology that automatically generates various content such as text, images, music, and videos. Services and tools that utilize generative AI, such as ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion, are appearing one after another and are having a major impact on our lives and businesses.

However, to get the most out of generative AI, it is essential to build an appropriate hardware environment. Generative AI processes large amounts of data, so it requires a high-performance computer. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of information about generative AI hardware, including the hardware requirements for each type of generative AI, its main components, a comparison between cloud and local environments, and tips for keeping costs down.

What are the hardware requirements for generative AI?

The hardware requirements for generative AI vary depending on the type of content being generated and the scale of the model. Here we will explain the main types of generative AI and the hardware required for each.

Text Generation AI

Large-scale language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT train huge amounts of text data and require high-performance CPUs and large amounts of memory. In particular, the larger the model, the higher the required hardware specifications.

• CPU: High performance CPU such as Intel Core i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 7/9 is recommended.
• Memory: At least 16GB of memory, preferably 32GB or more.
• Storage: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is recommended as it can read and write data faster than a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), improving processing speed.

Image Generation AI

Image generation AI such as Stable Diffusion and Midjourney require a high-performance GPU. A GPU is a computing device specialized for image processing, and can generate images faster than a CPU.

• GPU: A high-performance GPU such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series or RTX 40 series is recommended. VRAM (Video RAM) should be at least 8GB, preferably 16GB or more.
• CPU: To get the most out of your GPU, you’ll need a high-performance CPU, such as Intel Core i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 7/9, etc.
• Memory: You need memory capacity equal to or greater than the GPU’s VRAM. For example, if your VRAM is 16GB, you need at least 16GB of memory.

Voice Generation AI

Speech generation AI is a technology that generates speech from text, and its main components are the CPU and memory.

• CPU: Intel Core i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7 and other CPUs will provide sufficient performance.
• Memory: At least 8GB of memory, preferably 16GB or more.

Video Generation AI

Video generation AI is a technology that generates videos from text and images, and requires a high-performance GPU and large amounts of memory.

• GPU: A high-performance GPU such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series or RTX 40 series is recommended. VRAM should be at least 8GB, preferably 16GB or more.
• CPU: To get the most out of your GPU, you’ll need a high-performance CPU such as Intel Core i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 7/9, etc.
• Memory: Memory capacity equal to or greater than the GPU’s VRAM is required.

Other Generative AI

Other generative AIs, such as music generation AI and 3D model generation AI, also have their own hardware requirements. In general, the more complex the models and larger the datasets that are being handled, the more powerful the CPU, GPU, and memory required.

Major Hardware Components

To understand the hardware requirements of generative AI, you need to know about the main components of a computer: CPU, GPU, memory, and storage.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the brain of a computer, executing programs and processing data. Generative AI requires a high-performance CPU to perform complex calculations such as model training and inference processing.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

A GPU is a computing device specialized for image processing, and can generate images faster than a CPU. GPUs are essential for image generation AI and video generation AI. GPUs can also significantly improve processing speeds when training large-scale models.

Memory (RAM)

Memory is where the data processed by the CPU is temporarily stored. Generative AI requires a large amount of memory to handle large amounts of data. Insufficient memory capacity can cause processing speed to slow down or errors to occur.

Storage (SSD, HDD)

Storage is where data is stored for a long period of time. Generative AI requires large amounts of storage to store learning data and generated content. SSDs can read and write data faster than HDDs, improving processing speed.

Cloud vs. local environment

There are two main options for building a generative AI environment: a cloud environment and a local environment. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choose the appropriate environment based on your needs and budget.

Cloud Environment

A cloud environment refers to virtual computer resources that can be accessed via the Internet. Representative cloud platforms include AWS (Amazon Web Services), GCP (Google Cloud Platform), and Azure (Microsoft Azure).

• merit:
  • Low upfront costs: Since there is no need to purchase hardware, upfront costs are low.
  • Scalable: Flexible operation is possible because computer resources can be increased or decreased as needed, when needed.
  • Maintenance-free: Hardware maintenance and software updates are handled by the cloud vendor, reducing the hassle of operational management.
• Demerit:
  • Running costs: Charges are based on usage, so running costs may be high if you use the service for a long period of time.
  • Dependent on Internet environment: If your internet connection is unstable, you may experience problems using the service.
  • Security risks: Since it depends on the security measures of the cloud vendor, it may be difficult to implement security measures in-house.

Local environment

A local environment means building a generative AI environment on your own computer or workstation.

• merit:
  • Offline availability: Works anywhere, anytime, regardless of internet connection.
  • Highly customizable: You can freely select and configure your hardware and software, allowing you to tailor your environment to suit your needs.
  • Security management: Since security measures can be implemented in-house, it is advantageous for protecting confidential information.
• Demerit:
  • High upfront costs: There may be high upfront costs, such as hardware purchases and software licensing fees.
  • Requires maintenance: You’re responsible for maintaining your hardware and updating your software.
  • Low scalability: Constrained by hardware performance, it may not be suitable for training or processing large models.

How to choose the right environment for your needs

When deciding whether to use a cloud or local environment, consider the following:

• Uses: What will generative AI be used for?
  • If your main purpose is learning or experimenting, a cloud environment is convenient.
  • A local environment is suitable for long-term operations or when handling highly sensitive data.
• Budget: How much can you spend?
  • If you want to keep initial costs down, we recommend a cloud environment.
  • If you want to keep running costs down, a local environment is recommended.
• Technical knowledge: How technically savvy are you?
  • Building a local environment requires some technical knowledge.
  • Using a cloud environment is relatively easy, but requires knowledge of cloud services.

Required specifications for generative AI

The specifications required for generative AI vary greatly depending on the type and scale of the model used. Here, we explain the recommended specifications for typical generative AI models, the impact of insufficient specifications, and how to choose the specifications.

Recommended specs for each generative AI model

model	task	Recommended CPU	Recommended GPU	Recommended Memory	Recommended Storage
ChatGPT	Text generation, translation, summarization, etc.	Intel Core i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 7/9	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series or higher	32GB or more	SSD 1TB or more
GPT-4	Text generation, translation, summarization, etc.	Intel Core i9, AMD Ryzen 9	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series or higher	64GB or more	SSD 2TB or more
Stable Diffusion	Image Generation	Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 7	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series or higher	16GB or more	SSD 512GB or more
Midjourney	Image Generation	Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 7	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series or higher	16GB or more	SSD 512GB or more
DALL-E 2	Image Generation	Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 7	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series or higher	32GB or more	SSD 1TB or more

Note: The above are only recommended specs, not minimum specs. Depending on the size of your model and the complexity of your task, higher specs may be required.

Impact of insufficient specifications

If the hardware specifications are insufficient, the following problems may occur:

• Slower processing speed: Learning and inference processes take longer, reducing work efficiency.
• Poorly generated quality: Images and text may be of poor quality or may contain errors.
• Errors occur: There may be insufficient memory errors or GPU overheating.

How to choose specs

When choosing the specs you need for your generative AI, consider the following:

• Budget: Choose the most powerful hardware you can afford.
• Applications: What tasks will generative AI be used for?
  • If your main focus is text generation, prioritize CPU and memory.
  • If image generation is your main focus, focus on the GPU.
• Model scale: The required specs will vary depending on the scale of the generative AI model you use.
• Future scalability: If you plan to use larger models or run multiple models simultaneously in the future, choose your specs with scalability in mind.

How to use the automatic prompt generation tool

Auto-prompt generation tools are powerful tools for promoting the use of generative AI and maximizing its potential. However, to use them effectively, you need to understand how to select the appropriate tool and how to use it. Here, we will explain in detail how to select an auto-prompt generation tool, generate prompts, and use them with specific steps.

Tool Selection

There are many automated prompt generation tools available, each with different features and functions. To choose the best one, consider the following three points:

1. Clarification of purpose:
   1. Type of content you want to generate: First, determine what type of content prompt you want to generate (text, image, audio, video, etc.). There are various types of tools, such as tools that specialize in text generation, tools that specialize in image generation, and multi-function tools.
   1. The generative AI model to use: Next, decide which generative AI model you want to use the prompt with. There are tools that support a variety of models, including ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion.
   1. the prompt for ? For example, creating marketing content, generating creative ideas, or assisting with programming. Different tools are best suited for different purposes.
2. Comparison of the free version and the paid version:
   1. Feature Comparison: Free and paid versions have different features available. Free versions are often limited in the number and type of prompts you can generate, while paid versions offer more advanced features and customization options.
   1. Pricing: Depending on the tool, there are various pricing structures such as monthly fee, pay-as-you-go, one-time purchase, etc. Choose the best pricing plan according to your usage frequency and budget.
3. Comparison of features of each tool:
   1. Features: Consider not only auto-generated prompts but also features like prompt rating, refinement, and management.
   1. Ease of use: Check whether the app is intuitive even for beginners, whether the interface is easy to read, and whether it supports Japanese.
   1. Support system: It is also important to know whether you can receive support if you have any questions or problems.

Tool installation and configuration

Once you have decided on the tool, follow the steps below to install and configure it.

1. Register an account: Most tools require you to register an account before you can use them. You can easily register using your email address or social media account.
2. Obtain an API key (if required): For some tools, you will need to obtain an API key for the AI. The API key is necessary to link the AI and the tool, and can be obtained from the official website of each AI.
3. Required Settings: Set the output format (length of text, format, style, etc.), language, and other options. Depending on the tool, you can use the default settings without any problems, but you can generate better prompts by customizing them to your preferences.

Prompt Generation

Once the tool installation and configuration are complete, you can finally generate a prompt. The specific steps will differ depending on the tool, but the basic flow is as follows:

1. Enter keywords or themes: Enter keywords or themes for the content you want to generate. For example, enter specific words such as “Kyoto sightseeing” or “SDGs.”
2. Parameter Adjustment: Set parameters to adjust the output format, style, etc. as needed. For example, if it is a text generation tool, you can adjust the length and tone of the text.
3. Check and revise the generated prompt: Check the generated prompt and revise it if necessary. Make sure the prompt is specific and clear, and that the AI can understand it without misunderstanding. In some cases, it may be effective to generate multiple prompts and compare them.

As an example, we will explain the steps to generate a prompt using the text generation tool “AIPRM for ChatGPT.”

1. Install the AIPRM for ChatGPT extension and open ChatGPT.
2. Click the AIPRM icon and select a prompt template. For example, if you select the “Write a Blog Post” template, prompts for generating the post title, heading, body text, etc. will be automatically generated.
3. Enter the necessary information into the template (keywords, target demographic, purpose, etc.). For example, enter the keyword “Kyoto sightseeing,” the target demographic “women in their 20s,” and the purpose “to introduce the charms of Kyoto.”
4. Click the Generate button to auto-generate prompts based on the information you enter.
5. Review the generated prompt and make any necessary modifications. For example, if you want to structure the article differently or add specific information, you can edit the prompt.
6. Enter the modified prompt into ChatGPT and generate some content.

In this way, using an automatic prompt generation tool makes it easy to create effective prompts.

Benefits of an automatic prompt generation tool

Auto-prompt generators are a powerful tool for accelerating the use of generative AI and realizing its full potential. Here we take a closer look at three key benefits of using auto-prompt generators:

Time saving and efficiency

The biggest benefit of using an automatic prompt generation tool is that it significantly reduces the time and effort required to create prompts.

• Reduce prompt creation time: When creating prompts manually, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the AI and the requirements of the task, and it can take a lot of time to create them through trial and error. Prompt auto-generation tools automate this process, significantly reducing the time it takes to create prompts.
  • Example: A marketer found that it used to take them 30 minutes to create a single prompt, but after using an automated prompt generator, they were able to create the same quality prompt in just 5 minutes.
• Bulk prompt generation: The auto-prompt generation tool can generate multiple prompts at once. This is extremely useful for A/B testing, where you try out multiple prompts to choose the best one.
  • Example: An e-commerce site operator used a prompt auto-generation tool to generate 100 different product description prompts at once and conducted A/B testing. As a result, they were able to find the most effective prompt and increase sales.
• Improved prompt quality: Prompt auto-generation tools generate prompts with an understanding of the characteristics of AI, improving the quality of the prompts and making it easier to get better results. Because AI learns from large amounts of data, it can also suggest perspectives and ways of expressing things that humans might overlook.
  • Example: A writer was able to use an auto-prompt generation tool to generate more compelling article titles. By incorporating the keywords and phrases suggested by the tool, the article’s click-through rate increased.

Idea generation

Automated prompt generation tools are also powerful tools for generating new ideas.

• Gain new perspectives and ideas: The app suggests prompts that offer different perspectives and ways of expression than the ones you had in mind, allowing you to gain new ideas.
  • Example: A designer uses an automatic prompt generation tool to generate new design ideas. The keywords and concepts suggested by the tool help the designer to come up with innovative designs that have never been seen before.
• Increased creativity: Trying out different prompts can help spark your creativity and produce better content.
  • Example: A musician uses a prompt-generating tool to get ideas for compositions. The tool generates melodies and chord progressions that help him create new songs.

skill up

Automated prompt generation tools can also help you improve your prompt engineering skills.

• Learning prompt engineering: By using an automatic prompt generation tool, you can learn how to write effective prompts. By analyzing the prompts generated by the tool, you can learn what elements are important and what expressions are easy for AI to understand.
  • Example: A programmer learned how to use an automatic prompt generation tool to provide effective instructions to a code generation AI. The prompts generated by the tool helped the programmer generate code more efficiently.
• Deepen your understanding of generative AI: By understanding the mechanisms and characteristics of generative AI, you will be able to use it more effectively. The prompt auto-generation tool is also a tool to eliminate the black box of generative AI and facilitate communication with AI.
  • Example: A marketer used an automatic prompt generation tool to analyze ChatGPT’s response patterns. As a result, they were able to understand what information ChatGPT was most likely to respond to and create more effective prompts.

Automated prompt generation tools are not just tools for creating prompts, but are also powerful tools that stimulate our creativity and help us improve our skills. Making the most of these benefits will further expand the potential of generative AI.

Recommended prompt generation tools

Of the many automatic prompt generation tools available, we will introduce three that we particularly recommend. Each tool has different features and strengths, so choose the tool that best suits your needs and the generation AI you want to use.

AIPRM for ChatGPT

AIPRM for ChatGPT is a Chrome extension that provides powerful support for creating prompts for ChatGPT. It comes with over 3,000 prompt templates, including SEO-optimized prompts and prompts specialized for specific tasks.

Key features:

• Prompt Templates: Prompt templates are provided for various purposes. For example, templates are available for a wide range of tasks, such as “writing a blog post,” “replying to emails,” and “generating code.”
• Custom prompts: You can save and manage your own created prompts. You can create prompts efficiently by creating templates for frequently used prompts.
• Prompt sharing: You can share your prompts with others in the community. You can learn from prompts that others have created, or make your own public and get feedback.
• SEO Optimization: Suggests keywords and phrases that are SEO-friendly, helping you create content that ranks higher in search engines.
• Tone of Voice: You can adjust the tone of the prompt. For example, you can choose from a variety of tones, such as “polite tone,” “casual tone,” and “professional tone.”
• Power Mode: A feature that allows you to create more advanced prompts, for example, you can make ChatGPT play a specific role or combine multiple tasks.

Rate plan:

• Free plan: Basic features are available.
• Paid plans (starting at $9.99/month): Access more prompt templates and advanced features (like Power Mode).

merit:

• A wide variety of prompt templates are available, making it easy for even beginners to create prompts.
• We also provide prompt templates specialized for SEO, allowing you to create content that is more likely to rank highly in search engines.
• It works smoothly with ChatGPT, allowing you to type prompts seamlessly.
• Power Mode allows you to create more advanced prompts.

Demerit:

• The free plan has limited functionality.
• Support is available in English only.

Case Study:

• Prompt generation of SEO friendly blog posts and website content
• Prompt generation of marketing content such as product descriptions and ad copy
• Prompt generation for YouTube video scripts and presentation materials

PromptPerfect

PromptPerfect is a tool to evaluate and improve your AI-generated prompts, helping you improve the quality of your prompts and get better results.

Key features:

• Prompt Evaluation: Score the quality of your prompt and suggest areas for improvement, such as clarity, specificity, and appropriateness of context.
• Prompt Improvement: Auto-generate prompts that reflect suggested improvements, or allow users to modify the prompts themselves.
• A/B Testing: Compare multiple prompts to identify the more effective ones, allowing you to elicit optimal output from your AI.
• Prompt History: Saves your past prompts and their assessment results so you can review them at any time.
• Standard Mode and Advanced Mode: Standard Mode provides simple evaluation and improvement functions for beginners. Advanced Mode allows more detailed parameter settings and is aimed at prompt engineering experts.

Rate plan:

• Free trial (10 credits)
• Paid plans (starting at $9.99/month)

merit:

• You can objectively evaluate and improve the quality of your prompts.
• The A/B testing feature allows you to identify effective prompts.
• Supports multiple generative AI models (ChatGPT, GPT-3, DALL-E, Midjourney, etc.).
• There are Standard Mode and Advanced Mode, making it suitable for a wide range of users from beginners to advanced users.

Demerit:

• Free trial has credit limits.

Case Study:

• Prompt improvements for ChatGPT, Midjourney, etc.
• Optimizing ad copy and taglines
• Improving prompt engineering skills
• Evaluating the performance of AI models

Other tools

• PromptBase: A marketplace of prompts for various tasks. You can buy prompts created by other users or sell your own prompts.
• Cohesive AI: An AI platform that can generate various content including text, images, and audio. It also has an automatic prompt generation function, making it easy to create high-quality content.
• andLLM: A prompt auto-generation tool specialized for Japanese. It works with AI generators such as ChatGPT to create prompts in Japanese.

Notes on automatic prompt generation tools

Auto-prompt generation tools are extremely useful tools for utilizing generative AI, but to get the most out of them, you need to be aware of some points to keep in mind. Here we will explain in detail the points to keep in mind when using auto-prompt generation tools.

Excessive reliance

Automated prompt generation tools can use AI to efficiently create prompts, but don’t rely too heavily on them. Prompts generated by tools are for reference only and don’t always produce optimal results.

• Hindering creativity: Relying too much on tools can result in the loss of opportunities to exercise one’s own creativity and thinking. Prompt engineering is the process of producing better results through trial and error through dialogue with AI. It is important to create your own prompts and deepen your dialogue with AI, without relying too much on tools.
• AI limitations: AI does not yet fully understand human language, so the prompts generated by the tool may not always accurately reflect your intent. Take the generated prompts with a pinch of salt, but always review them and make corrections if necessary.
• Lack of context: Tools do not fully understand the context of the content you want to generate. Therefore, the prompts they generate may be interpreted in a different context than you intended. It is important to clearly organize the context and information you want to convey to the AI before entering the prompt.

Ethical issues

It is also possible that prompts generated by automated prompt generation tools may unintentionally raise ethical concerns.

• Generating misinformation and inappropriate content: Generative AI can reflect misinformation and biases contained in the training data. Users should be aware and carefully review the prompts generated by the tool, as they may generate outputs that contain misinformation, discriminatory content, or inappropriate language.
  • Example: A user used an automated prompt generator to create a prompt that generated a racially or ethnically offensive joke.
• Copyright Infringement: If the generative AI has learned from existing copyrighted works, the prompts generated by the tool may lead to copyright infringement. Care should be taken to avoid using prompts that may violate copyright law.
  • Example: A user used an automatic prompt generator to create a prompt that mimicked a storyline from an existing novel.

To avoid these ethical issues, it is important not to use the prompts generated by the tool as is, but to always review them and revise them if necessary. Also, be sure to follow ethical guidelines for the use of generative AI and act responsibly.

Summary: Make better use of generative AI with automatic prompt generation tools

Automated prompt generation tools are powerful tools that make using generative AI easier and more effective. By utilizing these tools, you can reduce the time and effort required to create prompts and get higher quality output.

Please try out the automatic prompt generation tool, taking into consideration the tools and points of caution introduced in this article. Then, maximize the potential of generative AI and unleash your creativity.

However, automatic prompt generation tools are merely auxiliary tools, and it is important to avoid excessive reliance on them and to use them with due consideration of ethical issues. By combining tools with human creativity, generative AI has even greater potential.