# CPU only (no GPU)

URL: https://docs.bithuman.ai/deploy/cpu

> Both models run live on a standard Linux PC with no GPU.

## What it is

Essence 2 and Expression 2 render live on the processor of an ordinary Linux PC, with no graphics card: with the [CLI](https://docs.bithuman.ai/platforms/cli) or the [Python SDK](https://docs.bithuman.ai/platforms/python), on Linux x86_64 or arm64. It suits screens that run all day where a GPU is not practical: kiosks, lobby screens, and servers without GPUs.

## Where it renders

| Question | CPU only (no GPU) |
|---|---|
| Where the avatar renders | on a standard Linux PC's CPU, with no GPU |
| Where the conversation runs | your choice: the CLI's local conversation brain, your own services, or bitHuman's |
| What reaches bitHuman | a credential check, the avatar download, and usage reports with no audio, video or text |
| Network | to start; rendering continues through a drop of up to 5 minutes |

*Diagram: CPU only (no GPU).* On a standard Linux PC with no GPU, both models render live on the CPU, and the avatar's audio and video stay on the PC. The conversation runs where you choose: the CLI's local conversation brain, your own services, or bitHuman's. For the rendering, bitHuman receives a credential check, the avatar download and usage reports with no audio, video, images or conversation text.

When the avatar renders on your hardware, its audio and video stay there. With the CLI's [local conversation brain](https://docs.bithuman.ai/platforms/cli/local-brain), speech recognition, the language model and the voice run on the machine too; the session still reports usage online.

## Models available here

| Model | Linux, no GPU | How |
|---|---|---|
| [Essence 2](https://docs.bithuman.ai/models/essence-2) | Yes | CLI, Python |
| [Expression 2](https://docs.bithuman.ai/models/expression-2) | Yes | CLI, Python |
| [Essence 1](https://docs.bithuman.ai/models/first-generation#essence-1) | Yes | CLI (`run`), Python |
| [Expression 1](https://docs.bithuman.ai/models/first-generation#expression-1) | — |  |

## Speed

Measured on a desktop CPU with no GPU:

| Configuration | Hardware | Essence 2 | Expression 2 | Measured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux · CLI (CPU only (no GPU)) | Intel Core i7-13700F (x86_64) | 2.0× real time | 2.2× real time | CLI 2.8.1, 2026-09-27 |
| Linux · Python (CPU only (no GPU)) | Intel Core i7-13700F (x86_64) | 1.9× real time | 2.3× real time | bithuman 2.11.13, 2026-09-26 |

× real time: seconds of video rendered per second; 1.0× or more holds a live conversation ([method](https://docs.bithuman.ai/performance#desktop)).

## Price

2 credits per minute of active session time for Essence 2 and Expression 2, about $0.02 a minute at the top-up rate of $1 = 100 credits. Realtime usage bills active session time, talking or idle, to the second. Every rate: [Pricing and credits](https://docs.bithuman.ai/pricing).

## Limits

- **Network:** a session checks your credential when it starts and keeps rendering through a network drop of up to 5 minutes. Usage reports carry no audio, video, images or conversation text.
- **Operating system:** Linux on x86_64 or arm64. On Windows, use WSL2 or the [web embed](https://docs.bithuman.ai/platforms/web); Intel Macs are not supported.
- **Sessions:** self-hosted sessions are limited by credits.

## First command

```bash tab="CLI"
curl -fsSL https://install.bithuman.ai | sh
bithuman login
curl -fsSLo speech.wav https://docs.bithuman.ai/samples/speech.wav
bithuman render wise-pup speech.wav -o out.mp4
```

```bash tab="Python"
python3 -m venv .venv && source .venv/bin/activate
pip install "bithuman[expression-2]"
export BITHUMAN_API_SECRET="<your API secret>"
curl -fL -o wise-pup.imx "https://api.bithuman.ai/v1/agent/A23WJF0199/model/download?model=expression-2"
curl -fsSLo speech.wav https://docs.bithuman.ai/samples/speech.wav
python -c 'import bithuman
with bithuman.open("wise-pup.imx") as a: print(sum(1 for _ in a.render("speech.wav")), "frames")'
# → 300 frames
```

`bithuman run wise-pup` opens a live conversation instead of a file ([CLI](https://docs.bithuman.ai/platforms/cli#first-frame)).

## Choosing between modes

- **Off the internet, on Linux PCs and terminals:** [Fully offline](https://docs.bithuman.ai/deploy/offline), for Business and Enterprise.
- **On your own Macs, or Linux machines you already run:** [Your servers](https://docs.bithuman.ai/deploy/self-hosted).
- **Inside an app on the phone or in the browser:** [On the device](https://docs.bithuman.ai/deploy/on-device).
- **Nothing to run yourself:** [bitHuman cloud](https://docs.bithuman.ai/deploy/cloud).
- **All five side by side:** [Deployment options](https://docs.bithuman.ai/deploy).