Specifications Compared
| Spec | A100 | L40S |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 400W | 350W |
| VRAM | 40-80 GB | 48 GB |
| CUDA Cores | 6,912 | 18,176 |
| Memory Type | HBM2e | GDDR6X |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Form Factors | SXM4, PCIe | PCIe |
| Interconnect | NVLink, PCIe 4.0, InfiniBand | PCIe 4.0 |
| Tensor Cores | 432 | 568 |
| FP16 Performance | 312 TFLOPS | 362 TFLOPS |
| FP32 Performance | 19.5 TFLOPS | 91 TFLOPS |
| FP64 Performance | 9.7 TFLOPS | 1.4 TFLOPS |
| INT8 Performance | 624 TOPS | 724 TOPS |
| Memory Bandwidth | 2,039 GB/s | 864 GB/s |
Performance Analysis
Memory bandwidth defines a core disparity: A100's 2039 GB/s enables larger batch sizes in training compared to L40S's 864 GB/s, reducing data transfer bottlenecks for models exceeding 40 GB VRAM. This advantage suits deep learning where frequent memory access dominates runtime.
FP16 performance edges toward L40S at 362 TFLOPS over A100's 312 TFLOPS, supporting mixed-precision training efficiently. However, L40S dominates FP32 at 91 TFLOPS against 19.5 TFLOPS, benefiting scientific simulations and graphics rendering. The addition of FP8 at 724 TFLOPS on L40S accelerates inference for quantized large language models, lowering latency in production deployments.
Power efficiency favors L40S with 350W TDP versus A100's 400W: this allows denser server configurations without exceeding cooling limits.
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 2826GB Storage | Slovenia | $0.73/GPU/hr | Available | ||
Vast.ai | 2×NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80GB 80GB VRAM | 80GB | 256 vCPU 126GB RAM 794GB Storage | Slovenia | $0.73/GPU/hr $1.47/hr total (2×) | 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 | NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80GB 80GB VRAM | 80GB | 64 vCPU 63GB RAM 646GB Storage | Czechia | $1.07/GPU/hr | Available | ||
 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×) |
L40S
| 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 L40S 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 16 vCPU 94GB RAM | 🌍global | $0.86/GPU/hr | |||
 Massed Compute | NVIDIA L40S 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 12 vCPU 72GB RAM 625GB Storage | Iowa | $0.88/GPU/hr | Available | ||
Massed Compute | 2×NVIDIA L40S 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 24 vCPU 144GB RAM 1250GB Storage | Iowa | $0.88/GPU/hr $1.76/hr total (2×) | Available | ||
Massed Compute | NVIDIA L40S 48GB VRAM | 48GB | 12 vCPU 72GB RAM 625GB Storage | Iowa | $0.88/GPU/hr | Available |
When to Choose the A100 PCIe 40GB
Select the A100 PCIe 40GB for memory-bound training tasks: its 2039 GB/s bandwidth outperforms L40S's 864 GB/s, accommodating batch sizes critical for stable LLM optimization. HBM2e VRAM at 40 GB handles datasets that saturate GDDR6X alternatives. Cloud interconnect options like NVLink enhance multi-GPU scaling unavailable on L40S.
When to Choose the L40S
Choose the L40S for inference and FP32-heavy workloads: FP8 performance at 724 TFLOPS and FP32 at 91 TFLOPS exceed A100's capabilities, enabling faster quantized model serving. Lower pricing from $0.40/hr and 350W TDP reduce operational costs in high-density inference farms. Ada Lovelace architecture supports modern ray tracing absent in Ampere.
Use Cases
A100's 2039 GB/s bandwidth supports larger batch sizes essential for stable training of massive models. L40S's 864 GB/s limits scalability in memory-intensive phases.
L40S's FP8 at 724 TFLOPS accelerates quantized inference with lower latency. Higher FP16 at 362 TFLOPS outperforms A100's 312 TFLOPS for serving.
Similar FP16 performance, with A100 at 312 TFLOPS and L40S at 362 TFLOPS, suits parameter-efficient fine-tuning. Choice depends on bandwidth needs versus cost.
Ada Lovelace architecture and 91 TFLOPS FP32 excel in diffusion model generation. L40S pricing from $0.40/hr offers better value than A100.
L40S's 91 TFLOPS FP32 vastly surpasses A100's 19.5 TFLOPS for simulations. Lower TDP at 350W aids prolonged compute runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU has higher memory bandwidth?▾
The A100 PCIe 40GB achieves 2039 GB/s with HBM2e, doubling L40S's 864 GB/s GDDR6X. This benefits data-heavy training workloads. L40S compensates with higher compute density.
What are the current cloud prices?▾
A100 PCIe 40GB starts from $0.60/hr with an average of $1.85/hr across 11 offers. L40S begins at $0.40/hr averaging $1.13/hr over 23 offers. Prices fluctuate by provider and region.
Which has more VRAM?▾
L40S provides 48 GB GDDR6X versus A100's 40 GB HBM2e. L40S suits models fitting just over 40 GB. A100's memory type offers lower latency for certain accesses.
What is the TDP difference?▾
L40S consumes 350W compared to A100's 400W. This enables more GPUs per server rack. Efficiency gains reduce cooling demands in data centers.
Which is better for FP32 workloads?▾
L40S delivers 91 TFLOPS FP32, far exceeding A100's 19.5 TFLOPS. It excels in simulations and rendering. A100 prioritizes lower-precision AI tasks.
Does L40S support FP8?▾
L40S includes FP8 at 724 TFLOPS for ultra-efficient inference. A100 lacks native FP8 support. This feature optimizes quantized LLM deployments.
Which is cheaper to rent, the A100 or the L40S?▾
Cloud rental prices for both the A100 and L40S 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 L40S?▾
The A100 has 40 to 80 GB of HBM2e memory. The L40S has 48 GB of GDDR6X memory.
Can I find A100 and L40S 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 L40S?▾
The A100 uses the Ampere architecture (2020) while the L40S uses Ada Lovelace (2023). The L40S delivers 1.2x the FP16 throughput and 2.4x the memory bandwidth of the A100.