NVIDIA A800 80GB VS NVIDIA L40S
Choosing between **A800** and **L40S** depends on your specific AI workload requirements. While the **A800** offers more VRAM for larger models, the **L40S** remains competitive in other areas. Currently, you can rent these GPUs starting from **$0.80/h** and **$0.26/h** respectively across 35 providers.
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | A800 | L40S | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace | - |
| Process Node | 7nm | 4nm | - |
| Target Market | datacenter | datacenter | - |
| Form Factor | SXM4 / PCIe | Dual-slot PCIe | - |
| Memory & Bandwidth | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 80GB | 48GB | +67% |
| Memory Type | HBM2e | GDDR6 | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 2.0 TB/s | 864 GB/s | +124% |
| Memory Bus Width | 5120-bit | 384-bit | - |
| Compute Infrastructure | |||
| CUDA Cores | 6,912 | 18,176 | -62% |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 432 | 568 | -24% |
| RT Cores (Ray Tracing) | N/A | 142 | |
| AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 19.5 TFLOPS | 91.6 TFLOPS | -79% |
| FP16 (Half Precision) | 312 TFLOPS | 183.2 TFLOPS | +70% |
| INT8 (Integer Precision) | N/A | 733 TOPS | |
| Power & Efficiency | |||
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 400W | 350W | +14% |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 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 48GB.
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 L40S
Based on current cloud pricing, the L40S starts at a lower hourly rate.
Technical Deep Dive: A800 vs L40S
This is a generational comparison within the NVIDIA ecosystem, pitting Ampere against Ada Lovelace. The A800 has a significant **32GB VRAM advantage**, which is crucial for training massive datasets or large language models. From a cost perspective, the **L40S** is currently about **68% 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 L40S is Best For:
- AI inference
- Generative AI
- Maximum memory bandwidth
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: A800 or L40S?
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 L40S provides 48GB of GDDR6 with 864 GB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the A800's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between A800 and L40S in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, A800 starts at $0.80/hour while L40S starts at $0.26/hour. This represents a 208% price difference.
Can I use L40S instead of A800 for my workload?
It depends on your specific requirements. If your model fits within 48GB of VRAM and you don't need the additional throughput of the A800, the L40S 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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