NVIDIA L40S VS AMD Instinct MI325X
Choosing between **L40S** and **Instinct MI325X** 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 **$0.26/h** and **$1.69/h** respectively across 35 providers.
Instinct MI325X
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | L40S | Instinct MI325X | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | CDNA 3 | - |
| Process Node | 4nm | 5nm | - |
| Target Market | datacenter | datacenter | - |
| Form Factor | Dual-slot PCIe | OAM | - |
| Memory & Bandwidth | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 48GB | 256GB | -81% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | HBM3e | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 864 GB/s | 6.0 TB/s | -86% |
| Memory Bus Width | 384-bit | 8192-bit | - |
| Compute Infrastructure | |||
| CUDA Cores | 18,176 | N/A | |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 568 | N/A | |
| RT Cores (Ray Tracing) | 142 | N/A | |
| Stream Processors | N/A | 19,456 | |
| AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 91.6 TFLOPS | 163 TFLOPS | -44% |
| FP16 (Half Precision) | 183.2 TFLOPS | 2,600 TFLOPS | -93% |
| INT8 (Integer Precision) | 733 TOPS | N/A | |
| Power & Efficiency | |||
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 350W | 750W | -53% |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 | - |
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
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 48GB.
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
NVIDIA L40S
Based on current cloud pricing, the L40S starts at a lower hourly rate.
Technical Deep Dive: L40S vs Instinct MI325X
This head-to-head pits NVIDIA's Ada Lovelace against AMD's CDNA 3. The Instinct MI325X has a significant **208GB VRAM advantage**, which is crucial for training massive datasets or large language models. From a cost perspective, the **L40S** is currently about **85% cheaper** per hour, offering better value for budget-conscious projects.
NVIDIA L40S is Best For:
- AI inference
- Generative AI
- Maximum memory bandwidth
AMD Instinct MI325X is Best For:
- AI training
- Large model inference
- CUDA-only software
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: L40S or Instinct MI325X?
For AI training, the key factors are VRAM size, memory bandwidth, and tensor core performance. The L40S offers 48GB of GDDR6 memory with 864 GB/s bandwidth, while the Instinct MI325X provides 256GB of HBM3e with 6.0 TB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the Instinct MI325X's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between L40S and Instinct MI325X in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, L40S starts at $0.26/hour while Instinct MI325X starts at $1.69/hour. This represents a 85% price difference.
Can I use Instinct MI325X instead of L40S for my workload?
It depends on your specific requirements. If your model fits within 256GB of VRAM and you don't need the additional throughput of the L40S, the Instinct MI325X can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the L40S's architecture may be essential.
Ready to rent a GPU?
Compare live pricing across 50+ cloud providers and find the best deal.