Launch Intel
Su

Sunk Cost – How long until a local LLM rig pays for itself?

Hacker News

Sunk Cost – How long until a local LLM rig pays for itself?

I kept hearing "just buy a Mac and run models locally, it pays for itself" and wanted to check. Sunk Cost takes a machine, a model and how many tokens you use a day, and works out how long the hardware takes to pay back against renting the same model by the token. Obviously there are other reasons to buy your own hardware aside from just saving money on llms but this is just looking at it from a raw cost saving perspective. If you have any ideas on how I can make this more helpful lmk!

Visit productView on Hacker NewsSep 15, 2026
Share card

Actual performance

46points
98comments
Made the leaderboard

Launch Intel predictions

Analyze your own launch →
Product HuntOn track for Day 1 leaderboard · Strong signals: mac, model, models · Missing: agents, macos, agent
81%81% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
best fitHighest predicted score across all platforms for this description.
Indie HackersFits the IH revenue-focused audience · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting
68%68% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
Hacker NewsStrong engagement from HN community · Strong signals: ide, io · Missing: https docs, excited, just released
62%62% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.
AppSumoMay struggle as an AppSumo deal · Missing: plus, platform, intuitive
32%32% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
TrustMRRLess likely to generate early MRR · Missing: mobile apps, ios, personal
26%26% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Missing: arr, mrr, revenue
16%16% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Missing: web3, chat, crypto
1%1% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Correct prediction on native model

Similar products

A
A reliability layer that prevents LLM downtime and unpredictable cost39%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

A reliability layer that prevents LLM downtime and unpredictable cost

Hacker News1
Lo
Local LLM AIME benchmarking tool56%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Local LLM AIME benchmarking tool

Hacker News1
So
So Long, and Thanks for All the Veggies55%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Veggies

Hacker News14
2/
2/2/22 Jumpy2 (long overdue)53%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

2/2/22 Jumpy2 (long overdue)

Hacker News5
Th
The Long Beach Pub62%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

The Long Beach Pub

Hacker News1
in
infracost - Cost Estimation for Terraform35%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

infracost - Cost Estimation for Terraform

Hacker News2
Co
Cost of the War in Afghanistan62%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Cost of the War in Afghanistan

Hacker News5
Dr
DripStat – Full Java APM at 1/10th the Cost of NewRelic40%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

DripStat – Full Java APM at 1/10th the Cost of NewRelic

Hacker News9
Adtree
Adtree30%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Advertise at no cost. $0 CPM. $0 CPC.

Indie Hackers2advertising
LLM Hotkey
LLM Hotkey39%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.
TrustMRROther
Browse all productsAnalyze your launch