AMD Instinct MI300X VS AMD Instinct MI250
Comparing AMD's CDNA 3-based Instinct MI300X against the CDNA 2-based Instinct MI250. This cross-generational comparison reveals significant architectural improvements.
Instinct MI300X
Instinct MI250
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | Instinct MI300X | Instinct MI250 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | CDNA 3 | CDNA 2 | - |
| Process Node | 5nm + 6nm | 6nm | - |
| Target Market | datacenter | datacenter | - |
| Form Factor | OAM | OAM | - |
| Memory | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 192GB | 128GB | +50% |
| Memory Type | HBM3 | HBM2e | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 5.3 TB/s | 3.2 TB/s | +66% |
| Memory Bus | 8192-bit | 8192-bit | - |
| Compute Units | |||
| Stream Processors | 19,456 | 13,312 | - |
| Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 163.4 TFLOPS | 45.3 TFLOPS | +261% |
| FP16 (Half Precision) | 1307.4 TFLOPS | N/A | |
| FP64 (Double Precision) | 81.7 TFLOPS | 45.3 TFLOPS | +80% |
| Power & Connectivity | |||
| TDP (Power) | 750W | 500W | +50% |
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | - |
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
LLM & Large Model Training
AMD Instinct MI300X
Higher VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are critical for training large language models. The Instinct MI300X offers 192GB compared to 128GB.
AI Inference
AMD Instinct MI300X
For inference workloads, performance per watt matters most. Consider the balance between FP16/INT8 throughput and power consumption.
Budget-Conscious Choice
AMD Instinct MI300X
Based on current cloud pricing, the Instinct MI300X starts at a lower hourly rate.
AMD Instinct MI300X is Best For:
- LLM inference at scale
- Large VRAM capacity
- CUDA-only software
AMD Instinct MI250 is Best For:
- HPC
- Matrix math workloads
- CUDA native apps
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: Instinct MI300X or Instinct MI250?
For AI training, the key factors are VRAM size, memory bandwidth, and tensor core performance. The Instinct MI300X offers 192GB of HBM3 memory with 5.3 TB/s bandwidth, while the Instinct MI250 provides 128GB of HBM2e with 3.2 TB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the Instinct MI300X's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between Instinct MI300X and Instinct MI250 in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, Instinct MI300X starts at $1.99/hour while Instinct MI250 starts at $5.20/hour. This represents a 62% price difference.
Can I use Instinct MI250 instead of Instinct MI300X for my workload?
It depends on your specific requirements. If your model fits within 128GB of VRAM and you don't need the additional throughput of the Instinct MI300X, the Instinct MI250 can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the Instinct MI300X's architecture may be essential.
Ready to rent a GPU?
Compare live pricing across 50+ cloud providers and find the best deal.