AMD Instinct MI325X VS AMD Instinct MI250

Choosing between **Instinct MI325X** and **Instinct MI250** depends on your specific AI workload requirements. The **Instinct MI325X** leads in both memory capacity and raw compute power, making it a stronger choice for high-end LLM training. Currently, you can rent these GPUs starting from **$1.69/h** and **$1.30/h** respectively across 4 providers.

AMD

Instinct MI325X

VRAM 256GB
FP32 163 TFLOPS
TDP 750W
From $1.69/h 3 providers
AMD

Instinct MI250

VRAM 128GB
FP32 45.3 TFLOPS
TDP 500W
From $1.30/h 1 providers

📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison

Specification Instinct MI325X Instinct MI250 Difference
Architecture & Design
Architecture CDNA 3 CDNA 2 -
Process Node 5nm 6nm -
Target Market datacenter datacenter -
Form Factor OAM OAM -
Memory & Bandwidth
VRAM Capacity 256GB 128GB +100%
Memory Type HBM3e HBM2e -
Memory Bandwidth 6.0 TB/s 3.2 TB/s +88%
Memory Bus Width 8192-bit 8192-bit -
Compute Infrastructure
Stream Processors 19,456 13,312 +46%
AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS)
FP32 (Single Precision) 163 TFLOPS 45.3 TFLOPS +260%
FP16 (Half Precision) 2,600 TFLOPS N/A
FP64 (Double Precision) N/A 45.3 TFLOPS
Power & Efficiency
TDP (Thermal Design Power) 750W 500W +50%
PCIe Interface PCIe 5.0 x16 PCIe 4.0 x16 -

🎯 Use Case Recommendations

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LLM & Large Model Training

AMD Instinct MI325X

Higher VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are critical for training large language models. The Instinct MI325X offers 256GB compared to 128GB.

AI Inference

AMD Instinct MI325X

For inference workloads, performance per watt matters most. Consider the balance between FP16/INT8 throughput and power consumption.

💰

Budget-Conscious Choice

AMD Instinct MI250

Based on current cloud pricing, the Instinct MI250 starts at a lower hourly rate.

Automated Comparison

Technical Deep Dive: Instinct MI325X vs Instinct MI250

This is a generational comparison within the AMD ecosystem, pitting CDNA 3 against CDNA 2. The Instinct MI325X has a significant **128GB VRAM advantage**, which is crucial for training massive datasets or large language models. From a cost perspective, the **Instinct MI250** is currently about **23% cheaper** per hour, offering better value for budget-conscious projects.

AMD Instinct MI325X is Best For:

  • AI training
  • Large model inference
  • 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 MI325X or Instinct MI250?

For AI training, the key factors are VRAM size, memory bandwidth, and tensor core performance. The Instinct MI325X offers 256GB of HBM3e memory with 6.0 TB/s bandwidth, while the Instinct MI250 provides 128GB of HBM2e with 3.2 TB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the Instinct MI325X's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.

What is the price difference between Instinct MI325X and Instinct MI250 in the cloud?

Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, Instinct MI325X starts at $1.69/hour while Instinct MI250 starts at $1.30/hour. This represents a 30% price difference.

Can I use Instinct MI250 instead of Instinct MI325X 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 MI325X, the Instinct MI250 can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the Instinct MI325X's architecture may be essential.

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