NVIDIA A100 80GB VS AMD Instinct MI355X
Choosing between **A100 80GB** and **Instinct MI355X** depends on your specific AI workload requirements. The **Instinct MI355X** 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 **$0.40/h** and **$2.29/h** respectively across 43 providers.
A100 80GB
Instinct MI355X
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | A100 80GB | Instinct MI355X | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | Ampere | CDNA 4 | - |
| Process Node | 7nm | 3nm | - |
| Target Market | datacenter | datacenter | - |
| Form Factor | SXM4 / PCIe | OAM | - |
| Memory & Bandwidth | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 80GB | 288GB | -72% |
| Memory Type | HBM2e | HBM3e | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 2.0 TB/s | 8.0 TB/s | -75% |
| Memory Bus Width | 5120-bit | 8192-bit | - |
| Compute Infrastructure | |||
| CUDA Cores | 6,912 | N/A | |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 432 | N/A | |
| Stream Processors | N/A | 24,576 | |
| AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 19.5 TFLOPS | 210 TFLOPS | -91% |
| FP16 (Half Precision) | 312 TFLOPS | N/A | |
| TF32 (Tensor Float) | 156 TFLOPS | N/A | |
| FP64 (Double Precision) | 9.7 TFLOPS | N/A | |
| INT8 (Integer Precision) | 624 TOPS | N/A | |
| Power & Efficiency | |||
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 400W | 1000W | -60% |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 | - |
| Multi-GPU Interconnect | NVLink 3.0 (600 GB/s) | None | - |
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
LLM & Large Model Training
AMD Instinct MI355X
Higher VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are critical for training large language models. The Instinct MI355X offers 288GB compared to 80GB.
AI Inference
NVIDIA A100 80GB
For inference workloads, performance per watt matters most. Consider the balance between FP16/INT8 throughput and power consumption.
Budget-Conscious Choice
NVIDIA A100 80GB
Based on current cloud pricing, the A100 80GB starts at a lower hourly rate.
Technical Deep Dive: A100 80GB vs Instinct MI355X
This head-to-head pits NVIDIA's Ampere against AMD's CDNA 4. The Instinct MI355X has a significant **208GB VRAM advantage**, which is crucial for training massive datasets or large language models. From a cost perspective, the **A100 80GB** is currently about **83% cheaper** per hour, offering better value for budget-conscious projects.
NVIDIA A100 80GB is Best For:
- AI model training
- Scientific computing
- Newest FP8 precision workloads
AMD Instinct MI355X is Best For:
- Massive LLM training
- Budget projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: A100 80GB or Instinct MI355X?
For AI training, the key factors are VRAM size, memory bandwidth, and tensor core performance. The A100 80GB offers 80GB of HBM2e memory with 2.0 TB/s bandwidth, while the Instinct MI355X provides 288GB of HBM3e with 8.0 TB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the Instinct MI355X's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between A100 80GB and Instinct MI355X in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, A100 80GB starts at $0.40/hour while Instinct MI355X starts at $2.29/hour. This represents a 83% price difference.
Can I use Instinct MI355X instead of A100 80GB for my workload?
It depends on your specific requirements. If your model fits within 288GB of VRAM and you don't need the additional throughput of the A100 80GB, the Instinct MI355X can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the A100 80GB's NVLink support (NVLink 3.0 (600 GB/s)) may be essential.
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