A100 vs Gaudi 2

AmperevsGaudiUpdated 36 days ago

For most common use cases like LLM training and inference, the A100 emerges as the superior choice. Its broader availability across 59 offers, lower entry pricing at $0.45 per hour, and NVLink interconnects ensure reliable scaling in production environments, despite Gaudi 2's memory edge.

A100 from $0.73/hrGaudi 2 from $0.91/hr

Specifications Compared

SpecA100GAUDI2
TDP400W600W
VRAM40-80 GB96 GB
CUDA Cores6,912
Memory TypeHBM2eHBM2e
ArchitectureAmpereGaudi
Form FactorsSXM4, PCIeOAM
InterconnectNVLink, PCIe 4.0, InfiniBandEthernet
Tensor Cores432
FP16 Performance312 TFLOPS420 TFLOPS
FP32 Performance19.5 TFLOPS420 TFLOPS
FP64 Performance9.7 TFLOPS
INT8 Performance624 TOPS
Memory Bandwidth2,039 GB/s2,460 GB/s

Performance Analysis

Memory specifications set these GPUs apart in handling large datasets: Gaudi 2's 96 GB HBM2e VRAM exceeds A100's 40 to 80 GB range, supporting larger batch sizes without splitting models. Its 2460 GB/s bandwidth surpasses A100's 2039 GB/s, reducing data transfer bottlenecks during training epochs and enabling faster iterations on datasets exceeding 80 GB.

Compute performance reveals targeted strengths. A100 delivers 312 TFLOPS in FP16 for mixed-precision training, common in deep learning, but drops to 19.5 TFLOPS in FP32, limiting precision-sensitive simulations. Gaudi 2 matches 420 TFLOPS in FP16 while sustaining 420 TFLOPS in FP32, benefiting inference pipelines or scientific computing that require full precision without throughput loss.

Power and form factors impact deployment. Gaudi 2's 600W TDP demands more cooling than A100's 400W, yet its OAM form suits dense server racks. A100's SXM4 and PCIe options offer flexibility for varied cloud environments. These traits mean Gaudi 2 accelerates memory-bound training, while A100 excels in power-efficient, interconnect-heavy clusters.

Live Cloud Pricing

Real-time prices from 25+ providers. Updated every 60 seconds.

A100

ProviderGPU ModelVRAMHost SpecsRegionPriceStatusAction
Vast.ai
Vast.ai
2×NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80GB
80GB VRAM
$0.73/GPU/hr
$1.47/hr total (2×)
Available
Vast.ai
Vast.ai
2×NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80GB
80GB VRAM
$0.73/GPU/hr
$1.47/hr total (2×)
Available
LeaderGPU
LeaderGPU
8×NVIDIA A100 PCIe 80GB
80GB VRAM
$0.90/GPU/hr
$7.20/hr total (8×)
Available
Vast.ai
Vast.ai
2×NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80GB
80GB VRAM
$1.00/GPU/hr
$2.00/hr total (2×)
Available
Denvr
Denvr
4×NVIDIA A100 PCIe 80GB
80GB VRAM
$1.15/GPU/hr
$4.60/hr total (4×)

Gaudi 2

ProviderGPU ModelVRAMHost SpecsRegionPriceStatusAction
LeaderGPU
LeaderGPU
8×Intel Gaudi 2
96GB VRAM
$0.91/GPU/hr
$7.29/hr total (8×)
Available
Denvr
Denvr
8×Intel Gaudi 2
96GB VRAM
$1.25/GPU/hr
$10.00/hr total (8×)

Compare real-time pricing across 25+ providers

When to Choose the A100

The A100 suits environments prioritizing availability and ecosystem maturity. With 59 live cloud offers starting at $0.45 per hour compared to Gaudi 2's 2 offers from $0.91 per hour, procurement is straightforward. NVLink, PCIe 4.0, and InfiniBand interconnects enable seamless multi-GPU scaling for distributed training on models up to 80 GB.

Choose A100 for NVIDIA-optimized software stacks like CUDA, where 312 TFLOPS FP16 performance drives efficient LLM fine-tuning in PCIe form factors.

When to Choose the Gaudi 2

Gaudi 2 excels in memory-constrained workloads requiring over 80 GB VRAM. Its 96 GB HBM2e capacity and 2460 GB/s bandwidth handle massive batches in LLM training, outperforming A100's limits. Balanced 420 TFLOPS across FP16 and FP32 supports versatile inference and FP32-heavy tasks.

Opt for Gaudi 2 when average pricing of $1.08 per hour undercuts A100's $1.91 per hour average, especially in Ethernet-based clusters for cost-sensitive deployments.

Use Cases

LLM Training
Gaudi 2

Gaudi 2's 96 GB VRAM and 2460 GB/s bandwidth manage larger models and batches than A100's 80 GB maximum. Its 420 TFLOPS FP16 outperforms A100's 312 TFLOPS for faster epochs.

LLM Inference
Either

A100's NVLink aids low-latency multi-GPU inference at 312 TFLOPS FP16. Gaudi 2's 420 TFLOPS FP32 balance suits precision needs with 96 GB VRAM for bigger contexts.

Fine-tuning
A100

A100's ecosystem and 59 cloud offers enable quick setup for fine-tuning up to 80 GB models. Its 400W TDP offers efficiency over Gaudi 2's 600W.

Stable Diffusion
Gaudi 2

Gaudi 2's higher 420 TFLOPS FP16 and 96 GB VRAM accelerate image generation pipelines with large batches. Bandwidth at 2460 GB/s minimizes stalls.

Scientific Computing
Gaudi 2

Gaudi 2's 420 TFLOPS FP32 matches its FP16, ideal for simulations unlike A100's 19.5 TFLOPS FP32. Ethernet interconnect scales HPC clusters effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has more VRAM, A100 or Gaudi 2?

Gaudi 2 provides 96 GB HBM2e VRAM, exceeding A100's 40 to 80 GB range. This advantage supports larger models without partitioning. Batch sizes increase accordingly in training workflows.

How do FP32 performances compare?

Gaudi 2 achieves 420 TFLOPS in FP32, far surpassing A100's 19.5 TFLOPS. This gap favors Gaudi 2 for precision computations. Inference in full precision runs faster on Gaudi 2.

What is the pricing difference?

A100 starts at $0.45 per hour averaging $1.91 across 59 offers, while Gaudi 2 begins at $0.91 averaging $1.08 across 2 offers. Gaudi 2 often costs less on average. Availability tilts toward A100.

Which has higher memory bandwidth?

Gaudi 2 delivers 2460 GB/s, topping A100's 2039 GB/s. Faster bandwidth reduces data loading times. Large dataset training benefits most.

What are the power requirements?

A100 consumes 400W TDP, lower than Gaudi 2's 600W. A100 suits power-constrained setups. Cooling needs rise with Gaudi 2.

Which supports better multi-GPU scaling?

A100's NVLink, PCIe 4.0, and InfiniBand enable high-bandwidth multi-GPU links. Gaudi 2 relies on Ethernet. A100 scales dense clusters more effectively.

Which is cheaper to rent, the A100 or the Gaudi 2?

Cloud rental prices for both the A100 and Gaudi 2 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 Gaudi 2?

The A100 has 40 to 80 GB of HBM2e memory. The Gaudi 2 has 96 GB of HBM2e memory.

Can I find A100 and Gaudi 2 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 Gaudi 2?

The A100 uses the Ampere architecture (2020) while the Gaudi 2 uses Gaudi (2022). The Gaudi 2 delivers 1.3x the FP16 throughput and 1.2x the memory bandwidth of the A100.

A100 vs Gaudi 2: NVIDIA 80GB vs Intel 96GB | GPUPerHour