V100 vs A40
Explore a head to head comparison of specifications, performance, and pricing.
V100
The NVIDIA V100 delivers high-performance computing capabilities for AI, machine learning, and data science applications.
A40
The NVIDIA A40 delivers high-performance computing capabilities for AI, machine learning, and data science applications.
V100 vs A40: Which Should You Choose?
The A40 offers 48 GB of VRAM — 3× the 16 GB on the V100 — making it better suited for large model workloads that require holding more parameters in GPU memory. On FP16 throughput, the A40 delivers 37.42 TFLOPS versus 28.26 TFLOPS on the V100 — 1.3× faster for mixed-precision training and inference. Memory bandwidth favors the V100 at 0.90 TB/s compared to 0.70 TB/s on the A40, which directly impacts inference latency for memory-bandwidth-bound models. Architecturally, the V100 is built on Volta while the A40 uses Ampere, reflecting different generational capabilities and optimizations. On Shadeform, the V100 starts from $0.39/hr versus $1.10/hr for the A40 — 182% more expensive — reflecting the performance premium. The V100 is available across 3 cloud providers on Shadeform compared to 2 for the A40, giving more options for region and pricing flexibility.
V100 — Best Use Cases
- •Deep learning training
- •HPC and scientific computing
- •Legacy ML infrastructure
Choose V100 when:
- ✓16 GB VRAM is sufficient for your workload
- ✓Cost efficiency is your primary concern
- ✓Your workload does not require peak FP16 throughput
- ✓You need flexibility across multiple cloud providers or regions
A40 — Best Use Cases
- •General-purpose deep learning training
- •Fine-tuning models up to 13B parameters
- •AI inference at moderate throughput
- •Computer vision and NLP workloads
Choose A40 when:
- ✓You need 48 GB+ VRAM for large models or long context windows
- ✓Maximum performance justifies the higher cost
- ✓You are training large models or running high-throughput inference
- ✓Your preferred provider already has availability
See how the V100 & A40 compare
Compare detailed hardware specifications and average pricing for the V100 and A40.
Compare Hardware Specifications
| V100 | A40 | |
|---|---|---|
| GPU Type | V100 | A40 |
| VRAM per GPU | 16 GB | 48 GB |
| Manufacturer | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| Architecture | Volta | Ampere |
| Interconnect | PCIe Gen3 | PCIe Gen4 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 900 GB/s | 696 GB/s |
| FP16 TFLOPS | 28.26 TFLOPS (2:1) | 37.42 TFLOPS (1:1) |
| CUDA Cores | 5120 | 10752 |
| Tensor Cores | 640 (1st Gen) | 336 (3rd Gen) |
| RT Cores | N/A | 84 (2nd Gen) |
| Base Clock | 1230 MHz | 1125 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1380 MHz | 1740 MHz |
| TDP | 250-300W | 300W |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | TSMC 8nm |
| Data Formats | FP16, FP32, FP64 | INT8, BF16, FP16, TF32, FP32 |
Compare Average On-Demand Pricing
| V100 | A40 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GPU | $1.36 /hr | $1.48 /hr |
| 2 GPUs | $0.78 /hr | $2.20 /hr |
| 4 GPUs | N/A | $5.92 /hr |
| 8 GPUs | $4.72 /hr | $8.80 /hr |
Frequently Asked Questions: V100 vs A40
The main differences are VRAM (16 GB vs 48 GB), FP16 throughput (28.26 vs 37.42 TFLOPS), architecture (Volta vs Ampere). The V100 uses the Volta architecture while the A40 is based on Ampere, giving each GPU different generational capabilities.
The A40 is generally better for large language model training due to its higher throughput and 48 GB of VRAM, which allows fitting larger models or larger batch sizes in a single pass. For smaller models or fine-tuning tasks where cost matters more, both GPUs can be effective.
On Shadeform, the V100 is available from $0.39/hr. The A40 starts from $1.10/hr. Prices vary by provider, region, and contract length. Reserved commitments can reduce hourly costs significantly compared to on-demand pricing.
The A40 has more VRAM at 48 GB, compared to 16 GB on the V100. Higher VRAM allows you to run larger models without quantization, use longer context windows, and process larger batch sizes — all of which improve throughput and reduce latency for memory-bound workloads.
Based on TFLOPS per dollar, the V100 offers better raw compute value at current Shadeform on-demand rates. However, the best choice depends on your specific workload — if you need the extra VRAM or throughput of the A40, paying the premium may be justified by faster job completion and lower total cost.
The V100 is currently available across 3 cloud providers on Shadeform's network, compared to 2 for the A40. Shadeform lets you deploy either GPU across all available providers from a single platform, so you can always find available capacity without manually checking each cloud.
Mixing different GPU types in a single training cluster is generally not recommended, as it creates performance bottlenecks where faster GPUs wait for slower ones. For best results, use a homogeneous cluster of either V100 or A40. Shadeform supports on-demand clusters of up to 64 GPUs of the same type with no commitment required.
Explore V100 & A40 Instances
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