H100 PCIe vs H100 NVL
Detailed comparison of specifications, performance, and pricing between NVIDIA H100 PCIe and NVIDIA H100 NVL
Difference Analysis
Full Specifications
| Specification | H100 PCIe | H100 NVL | AMD Instinct MI210 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NVIDIA | NVIDIA | AMD |
| Series | Data Center | Data Center | Data Center |
| Architecture | Hopper | Hopper | CDNA 2 |
| VRAM | 80GB | 94GB | 64GB |
| VRAM Type | HBM2e | HBM3 | HBM2E |
| Memory Bandwidth | 2.0 TB/s | 3.9 TB/s | 1.6 TB/s |
| FP16 TFLOPS | 102.0 | 134.0 | 181.0 |
| Tensor TFLOPS | 1.5k | 2.0k | 362.0 |
| TDP | 350W | 400W | 300W |
| Form Factor | PCIe | NVL | - |
| Hardware Price | $$28k | $$35k | - |
| Cloud Price (min) | $2.39/hr | $1.38/hr | - |
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H100 PCIe vs H100 NVL FAQ
It depends on your use case. The H100 NVL offers 31% better performance (2.0k vs 1.5k TFLOPS). However, the H100 PCIe is 25% cheaper. For raw performance, choose H100 NVL. For value, consider your budget and workload requirements.
The H100 NVL has more VRAM with 94GB compared to 80GB (18% more). More VRAM is crucial for training large models and running inference on bigger batch sizes.
For AI training, the H100 NVL is generally better due to its larger VRAM (94GB). Large language models and deep learning workloads benefit significantly from more memory. However, if your models fit in 80GB, the cheaper option may be more cost-effective.
The H100 PCIe is 25% cheaper at $$28k vs $$35k. When considering performance per dollar, evaluate your specific workload requirements to determine the best value.
The H100 NVL actually offers 31% better performance. An "upgrade" to H100 PCIe would be a downgrade in raw performance, though it may offer other benefits like lower power consumption or cost.