NVIDIA A800 80GB VS NVIDIA Tesla K80
Choosing between **A800** and **K80** depends on your specific AI workload requirements. The **A800** 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 **$0.80/h** and **$0.10/h** respectively across 5 providers.
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | A800 | K80 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | Ampere | Kepler | - |
| Process Node | 7nm | 28nm | - |
| Target Market | datacenter | datacenter | - |
| Form Factor | SXM4 / PCIe | Dual-slot PCIe | - |
| Memory & Bandwidth | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 80GB | 24GB | +233% |
| Memory Type | HBM2e | GDDR5 | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 2.0 TB/s | 480 GB/s | +303% |
| Memory Bus Width | 5120-bit | 384-bit | - |
| Compute Infrastructure | |||
| CUDA Cores | 6,912 | 4,992 | +38% |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 432 | N/A | |
| AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 19.5 TFLOPS | 8.7 TFLOPS | +124% |
| FP16 (Half Precision) | 312 TFLOPS | N/A | |
| Power & Efficiency | |||
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 400W | 300W | +33% |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 | - |
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
LLM & Large Model Training
NVIDIA A800 80GB
Higher VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are critical for training large language models. The A800 offers 80GB compared to 24GB.
AI Inference
NVIDIA A800 80GB
For inference workloads, performance per watt matters most. Consider the balance between FP16/INT8 throughput and power consumption.
Budget-Conscious Choice
NVIDIA Tesla K80
Based on current cloud pricing, the K80 starts at a lower hourly rate.
Technical Deep Dive: A800 vs K80
This is a generational comparison within the NVIDIA ecosystem, pitting Ampere against Kepler. The A800 has a significant **56GB VRAM advantage**, which is crucial for training massive datasets or large language models. From a cost perspective, the **K80** is currently about **88% cheaper** per hour, offering better value for budget-conscious projects.
NVIDIA A800 80GB is Best For:
- AI training
- Scientific computing
- International high-bandwidth needs
NVIDIA Tesla K80 is Best For:
- Old software support
- Any modern AI
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: A800 or K80?
For AI training, the key factors are VRAM size, memory bandwidth, and tensor core performance. The A800 offers 80GB of HBM2e memory with 2.0 TB/s bandwidth, while the K80 provides 24GB of GDDR5 with 480 GB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the A800's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between A800 and K80 in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, A800 starts at $0.80/hour while K80 starts at $0.10/hour. This represents a 700% price difference.
Can I use K80 instead of A800 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 A800, the K80 can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the A800's architecture may be essential.
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