NVIDIA V100 VS NVIDIA A40
Choosing between **V100** and **A40** 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 **$0.13/h** and **$0.08/h** respectively across 27 providers.
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | V100 | A40 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | Volta | Ampere | - |
| Process Node | 12nm | 8nm | - |
| Target Market | datacenter | datacenter | - |
| Form Factor | SXM2 / PCIe | Dual-slot PCIe | - |
| Memory & Bandwidth | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 32GB | 48GB | -33% |
| Memory Type | HBM2 | GDDR6 | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 900 GB/s | 696 GB/s | +29% |
| Memory Bus Width | 4096-bit | 384-bit | - |
| Compute Infrastructure | |||
| CUDA Cores | 5,120 | 10,752 | -52% |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 640 | 336 | +90% |
| RT Cores (Ray Tracing) | N/A | 84 | |
| AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 15.7 TFLOPS | 37.4 TFLOPS | -58% |
| FP16 (Half Precision) | 125 TFLOPS | N/A | |
| FP64 (Double Precision) | 7.8 TFLOPS | N/A | |
| Power & Efficiency | |||
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 300W | 300W | |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | - |
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
LLM & Large Model Training
NVIDIA V100
Higher VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are critical for training large language models. The A40 offers 48GB compared to 32GB.
AI Inference
NVIDIA V100
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: V100 vs A40
This is a generational comparison within the NVIDIA ecosystem, pitting Volta against Ampere. The A40 has a significant **16GB VRAM advantage**, which is crucial for training massive datasets or large language models. From a cost perspective, the **A40** is currently about **38% cheaper** per hour, offering better value for budget-conscious projects.
NVIDIA V100 is Best For:
- Deep learning training
- Scientific research
- Latest generation workloads
NVIDIA A40 is Best For:
- Visual computing
- AI inference
- HPC
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: V100 or A40?
For AI training, the key factors are VRAM size, memory bandwidth, and tensor core performance. The V100 offers 32GB of HBM2 memory with 900 GB/s bandwidth, while the A40 provides 48GB of GDDR6 with 696 GB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the A40's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between V100 and A40 in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, V100 starts at $0.13/hour while A40 starts at $0.08/hour. This represents a 63% price difference.
Can I use A40 instead of V100 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 V100, the A40 can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the V100's architecture may be essential.
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