NVIDIA A40 VS NVIDIA A30
Choosing between **A40** and **A30** depends on your specific AI workload requirements. The **A40** 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 **$0.08/h** and **$0.11/h** respectively across 16 providers.
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | A40 | A30 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere | - |
| Process Node | 8nm | 7nm | - |
| Target Market | datacenter | datacenter | - |
| Form Factor | Dual-slot PCIe | Dual-slot PCIe | - |
| Memory & Bandwidth | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 48GB | 24GB | +100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | HBM2 | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 696 GB/s | 933 GB/s | -25% |
| Memory Bus Width | 384-bit | 3072-bit | - |
| Compute Infrastructure | |||
| CUDA Cores | 10,752 | 3,584 | +200% |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 336 | 224 | +50% |
| RT Cores (Ray Tracing) | 84 | N/A | |
| AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 37.4 TFLOPS | 5.2 TFLOPS | +619% |
| FP16 (Half Precision) | N/A | 165 TFLOPS | |
| Power & Efficiency | |||
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 300W | 165W | +82% |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | - |
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
LLM & Large Model Training
NVIDIA A30
Higher VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are critical for training large language models. The A40 offers 48GB compared to 24GB.
AI Inference
NVIDIA A30
For inference workloads, performance per watt matters most. Consider the balance between FP16/INT8 throughput and power consumption.
Budget-Conscious Choice
NVIDIA A40
Based on current cloud pricing, the A40 starts at a lower hourly rate.
Technical Deep Dive: A40 vs A30
Both GPUs utilize the NVIDIA Ampere architecture. The primary difference lies in their memory capacity and compute core counts. The A40 has a significant **24GB VRAM advantage**, which is crucial for training massive datasets or large language models. From a cost perspective, the **A40** is currently about **27% cheaper** per hour, offering better value for budget-conscious projects.
NVIDIA A40 is Best For:
- Visual computing
- AI inference
- HPC
NVIDIA A30 is Best For:
- Enterprise AI inference
- Mainstream compute
- Heavy model training
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: A40 or A30?
For AI training, the key factors are VRAM size, memory bandwidth, and tensor core performance. The A40 offers 48GB of GDDR6 memory with 696 GB/s bandwidth, while the A30 provides 24GB of HBM2 with 933 GB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the A40's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between A40 and A30 in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, A40 starts at $0.08/hour while A30 starts at $0.11/hour. This represents a 27% price difference.
Can I use A30 instead of A40 for my workload?
It depends on your specific requirements. If your model fits within 24GB of VRAM and you don't need the additional throughput of the A40, the A30 can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the A40's architecture may be essential.
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