Open-AutoGLM on low-VRAM hardware: options and tradeoffs

Not every evaluator has a 24GB GPU. This guide outlines realistic options for low‑VRAM or no‑GPU setups, along with the tradeoffs you should expect.

Option A (recommended): model service endpoint

The most reliable approach is to use a deployed model service endpoint. You avoid GPU requirements and focus on device‑side evaluation.

Advantages:

• No local GPU required
• Faster initial setup
• Easier updates and maintenance

Tradeoffs:

• Requires endpoint access
• Depends on network latency

Choosing an endpoint

When selecting an endpoint:

• Prefer low‑latency regions.
• Verify authentication and access controls.
• Confirm model version and update cadence.

These checks help you avoid silent mismatches in evaluation results.

Option B: local deployment (limited)

If you must run locally on low‑VRAM hardware:

• Expect slower inference.
• Expect limited concurrency.
• Follow official guidance for model loading options.

TODO: add official low‑VRAM configuration options if documented.

Local optimization ideas

If you must run locally:

• Close background GPU‑heavy apps.
• Use smaller batch sizes if supported.
• Keep model files on fast storage.

These steps will not replace a larger GPU, but they can reduce failures.

Device‑side optimization

Even with endpoint inference, the device side can slow you down:

• Disable unnecessary background apps.
• Keep the device plugged in.
• Use a clean test account to reduce prompts.

Latency mitigation for endpoints

If endpoint latency is high:

• Batch tasks into shorter prompts.
• Avoid multi‑step workflows in a single run.
• Keep the device on a stable network.

When to upgrade hardware

Consider hardware upgrades if:

• You need low latency for interactive evaluation.
• You run multiple concurrent tasks.
• You require local-only inference for compliance reasons.

Risk management

Low‑VRAM setups are more likely to fail mid‑task. Always add:

• Retry logic
• Manual confirmation checkpoints
• Logs for each step

Cost and time tradeoffs

Option A often costs more in hosting but saves setup time. Option B costs more upfront in hardware and increases maintenance. Choose based on your evaluation timeline and compliance needs.

Safety note

Low‑VRAM setups can time out or fail mid‑task. Use test accounts and add confirmation checkpoints to avoid unintended actions.

Next steps

• See model service endpoints for secure endpoint usage.
• Use the Quick Start for baseline setup.