Specifications Compared
| Spec | A100 | L40 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 400W | 300W |
| VRAM | 40-80 GB | 48 GB |
| CUDA Cores | 6,912 | 18,176 |
| Memory Type | HBM2e | GDDR6 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Form Factors | SXM4, PCIe | PCIe |
| Interconnect | NVLink, PCIe 4.0, InfiniBand | |
| Tensor Cores | 432 | 568 |
| FP16 Performance | 312 TFLOPS | 90.5 TFLOPS |
| FP32 Performance | 19.5 TFLOPS | 90.5 TFLOPS |
| FP64 Performance | 9.7 TFLOPS | |
| INT8 Performance | 624 TOPS | 724 TOPS |
| Memory Bandwidth | 2,039 GB/s | 864 GB/s |
Performance Analysis
The A100's superior 2039 GB/s memory bandwidth compared to the L40's 864 GB/s enables larger batch sizes in training, reducing overhead in data loading for models like transformers. Its FP16 performance of 312 TFLOPS vastly outpaces the L40's 90.5 TFLOPS, making it ideal for mixed-precision training where speedups from tensor cores dominate. However, the L40's equal 90.5 TFLOPS in FP16 and FP32 supports balanced workloads, particularly inference where FP32 precision matters more. In real-world terms, the A100 handles massive datasets with 40 GB HBM2e faster, but the L40's 48 GB GDDR6 accommodates slightly larger models without swapping. Power efficiency favors the L40 at 300W versus 400W, lowering operational costs in dense cloud clusters. Bandwidth differences directly impact throughput: A100 sustains higher tokens per second in training pipelines, while L40 shines in inference serving with consistent FP32 throughput.
Live Cloud Pricing
Real-time prices from 25+ providers. Updated every 60 seconds.
A100 PCIe 40GB
| Provider | GPU Model | VRAM | Host Specs | Region | Price | Status | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Vast.ai | NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80GB 80GB VRAM | 80GB | 256 vCPU 63GB RAM 397GB Storage | Slovenia | $0.73/GPU/hr | Available | ||
 LeaderGPU | 8×NVIDIA A100 PCIe 80GB 80GB VRAM | 80GB | 64 vCPU 384GB RAM 2000GB Storage | Netherlands | $0.90/GPU/hr $7.20/hr total (8×) | Available | ||
Vast.ai | 2×NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80GB 80GB VRAM | 80GB | 64 vCPU 126GB RAM 1114GB Storage | Czechia | $1.00/GPU/hr $2.00/hr total (2×) | Available | ||
 Denvr | 4×NVIDIA A100 PCIe 80GB 80GB VRAM | 80GB | 64 vCPU 512GB RAM 7600GB Storage | Virginia | $1.15/GPU/hr $4.60/hr total (4×) | |||
Denvr | 8×NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80GB 80GB VRAM | 80GB | 128 vCPU 1024GB RAM 15200GB Storage | Virginia | $1.15/GPU/hr $9.20/hr total (8×) |
L40
| Provider | GPU Model | VRAM | Host Specs | Region | Price | Status | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 TensorDock | NVIDIA L40S 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 0 vCPU 0GB RAM | Wolverhampton | $0.55/GPU/hr | Available | ||
 RunPod | NVIDIA L40 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 8 vCPU 94GB RAM | 🌍global | $0.82/GPU/hr | |||
 Massed Compute | NVIDIA L40 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 14 vCPU 72GB RAM 625GB Storage | Iowa | $0.86/GPU/hr | Available | ||
RunPod | NVIDIA L40S 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 16 vCPU 94GB RAM | 🌍global | $0.86/GPU/hr | |||
Massed Compute | 2×NVIDIA L40 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 26 vCPU 144GB RAM 1250GB Storage | Iowa | $0.86/GPU/hr $1.72/hr total (2×) | Available |
When to Choose the A100 PCIe 40GB
Choose the A100 PCIe 40GB for memory bandwidth-critical workloads such as large-scale LLM training, where 2039 GB/s supports batch sizes up to 2x larger than the L40's 864 GB/s capability. Its 312 TFLOPS FP16 performance accelerates mixed-precision computations by over 3x compared to the L40's 90.5 TFLOPS, ideal for research clusters handling petabyte-scale data.
When to Choose the L40
Opt for the L40 in cost-sensitive inference deployments, with average pricing at $0.89 per hour versus the A100's $1.85, and 90.5 TFLOPS FP32 outperforming the A100's 19.5 TFLOPS for precise serving tasks. Its 300W TDP reduces cooling needs by 25% over the A100's 400W, suiting edge or multi-GPU inference farms with 48 GB VRAM for moderately sized models.
Use Cases
The A100's 312 TFLOPS FP16 and 2039 GB/s bandwidth enable larger batch sizes and faster convergence than the L40's 90.5 TFLOPS and 864 GB/s.
The L40's 90.5 TFLOPS FP32 surpasses the A100's 19.5 TFLOPS, paired with lower $0.89 average hourly cost for high-volume serving.
Fine-tuning benefits from the A100's high 312 TFLOPS FP16 for efficient parameter updates, with 40 GB HBM2e handling adapter layers effectively.
The L40's Ada architecture and 90.5 TFLOPS FP16 optimize image generation inference, with 48 GB VRAM supporting higher resolutions at $0.89 per hour.
The L40's 90.5 TFLOPS FP32 provides over 4x the A100's 19.5 TFLOPS for simulations, enhanced by 300W efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU has higher memory bandwidth?▾
The A100 PCIe 40GB offers 2039 GB/s with HBM2e, doubling the L40's 864 GB/s GDDR6. This advantage supports larger batch sizes in training. The L40 compensates with 48 GB capacity versus 40 GB.
What are the current cloud prices?▾
NVIDIA A100 PCIe 40GB starts at $0.60 per hour, averaging $1.85 across 11 offers. NVIDIA L40 begins at $0.67, averaging $0.89 across 14 offers. Prices fluctuate based on provider and region.
Which is better for FP16 training?▾
The A100 leads with 312 TFLOPS FP16 versus the L40's 90.5 TFLOPS. This makes it preferable for mixed-precision LLM training. The L40 suits balanced FP16/FP32 tasks.
How do power consumptions compare?▾
The L40 draws 300W TDP, 25% less than the A100's 400W. Lower power aids dense deployments and reduces costs. Both support PCIe form factors.
Is the L40 newer than the A100?▾
Yes, the L40 uses 2023 Ada Lovelace architecture, succeeding the A100's 2020 Ampere. Newer tensor cores improve efficiency in inference. A100 retains bandwidth superiority.
Which has more VRAM?▾
The L40 provides 48 GB GDDR6, exceeding the A100 PCIe 40GB's 40 GB HBM2e. Extra capacity aids larger models in inference. HBM2e offers faster access speeds.
Which is cheaper to rent, the A100 or the L40?▾
Cloud rental prices for both the A100 and L40 vary by provider, configuration, and availability. This page shows live pricing from 25+ providers updated every 60 seconds. Scroll to the Live Cloud Pricing section to compare current rates.
How much VRAM does the A100 have compared to the L40?▾
The A100 has 40 to 80 GB of HBM2e memory. The L40 has 48 GB of GDDR6 memory.
Can I find A100 and L40 GPUs available to rent right now?▾
Yes. This page shows real-time availability across 25+ cloud GPU providers. The Live Cloud Pricing section displays only in-stock offers with current pricing.
What is the main difference between the A100 and the L40?▾
The A100 uses the Ampere architecture (2020) while the L40 uses Ada Lovelace (2023). The A100 delivers 3.4x the FP16 throughput and 2.4x the memory bandwidth of the L40.