NVIDIA L40S VS NVIDIA L4
Choosing between **L40S** and **L4** depends on your specific AI workload requirements. The **L40S** 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 **$0.26/h** respectively across 64 providers.
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | L40S | L4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ada Lovelace | - |
| Process Node | 4nm | 4nm | - |
| Target Market | datacenter | datacenter | - |
| Form Factor | Dual-slot PCIe | Single-slot PCIe | - |
| Memory & Bandwidth | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 48GB | 24GB | +100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 864 GB/s | 300 GB/s | +188% |
| Memory Bus Width | 384-bit | 192-bit | - |
| Compute Infrastructure | |||
| CUDA Cores | 18,176 | 7,424 | +145% |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 568 | 232 | +145% |
| RT Cores (Ray Tracing) | 142 | 58 | +145% |
| AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 91.6 TFLOPS | 30.3 TFLOPS | +202% |
| FP16 (Half Precision) | 183.2 TFLOPS | 121 TFLOPS | +51% |
| INT8 (Integer Precision) | 733 TOPS | N/A | |
| Power & Efficiency | |||
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 350W | 72W | +386% |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | - |
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
LLM & Large Model Training
NVIDIA L40S
Higher VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are critical for training large language models. The L40S offers 48GB compared to 24GB.
AI Inference
NVIDIA L4
For inference workloads, performance per watt matters most. Consider the balance between FP16/INT8 throughput and power consumption.
Budget-Conscious Choice
NVIDIA L4
Based on current cloud pricing, the L4 starts at a lower hourly rate.
Technical Deep Dive: L40S vs L4
Both GPUs utilize the NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture. The primary difference lies in their memory capacity and compute core counts. The L40S has a significant **24GB VRAM advantage**, which is crucial for training massive datasets or large language models. From a cost perspective, the **L4** is currently about **0% cheaper** per hour, offering better value for budget-conscious projects.
NVIDIA L40S is Best For:
- AI inference
- Generative AI
- Maximum memory bandwidth
NVIDIA L4 is Best For:
- Edge AI inference
- Video transcoding
- Large model training
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: L40S or L4?
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 L4 provides 24GB of GDDR6 with 300 GB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the L40S's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between L40S and L4 in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, L40S starts at $0.26/hour while L4 starts at $0.26/hour. This represents a 0% price difference.
Can I use L4 instead of L40S 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 L40S, the L4 can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the L40S's architecture may be essential.
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