NVIDIA L40 vs RTX A6000: Best GPU for AI Workloads in 2025

Choosing the right cloud GPU for AI can feel overwhelming. With so many options on the market, each offering powerful compute capabilities, it’s easy to get lost. The NVIDIA L40 and RTX A6000 are both compelling choices in the affordable GPU segment, offering 48 GB of memory and strong compute performance.

But they’re built on entirely different architectures, with significant differences in training throughput, inference support, and pricing. So, which one is better for your needs? Let’s compare.

AI Training Performance: NVIDIA L40 vs NVIDIA RTX A6000

AI training workloads, especially those involving large datasets, require high compute throughput, memory bandwidth, and precision support.

The NVIDIA L40 features 18,176 CUDA cores and delivers up to 181.05 TFLOPS in FP16 performance. With structured sparsity, it can exceed 362 TFLOPS, offering exceptional performance for model training.

In contrast, the NVIDIA RTX A6000 offers around 155 TFLOPS (FP16) and ~310 TFLOPS with sparsity. While it performs well, it slightly lags behind the L40 in demanding AI training tasks.

Compared to the A100, both GPUs are more affordable options. But if you're looking at performance scalability, check out our a6000 vs a100 and l40 vs a100 comparisons.

Similar Read: How NVIDIA L40 Accelerates AI Training 

AI Inference Performance: NVIDIA L40 vs NVIDIA RTX A6000

Inference workloads demand low latency and high throughput—especially when working with LLMs, image generation, or real-time responses.

The NVIDIA L40 is purpose-built for data centre workloads and excels in inference with 48 GB GDDR6 memory, FP8 support, and 864 GB/s memory bandwidth.

On the other hand, the RTX A6000 also offers 48 GB memory but lacks FP8 precision support, which may impact performance in mixed-precision inference scenarios. Its memory bandwidth sits at 768 GB/s—still strong, but slightly lower than the L40.

If you're comparing rtx 6000 vs l40 for real-time AI inference, the L40 takes the lead due to its architectural improvements and newer precision standards.

Both GPUs benefit significantly from Hyperstack's infrastructure:

• High-Speed Networking (up to 350 Gbps): Ideal for multi-GPU distributed training

• Ephemeral NVMe storage: Removes data bottlenecks during training/inference

Please note that High-Speed Networking for NVIDIA L40 and the NVIDIA RTX A6000 is for contracted customers only.

NVIDIA L40 vs NVIDIA RTX A6000: Which One to Choose

This comparison of rtx 6000 vs l40 shows that the right GPU depends on your performance requirements and budget.

Choose the NVIDIA L40 If:

• You need top-tier performance for training and inference.

• Your workflows can leverage FP8 precision for faster, more efficient processing.

• You’re future-proofing your stack for modern AI advancements.

Deploy NVIDIA L40 for $1.00/hr in Minutes on Hyperstack.

Choose the NVIDIA RTX A6000 If:

• Your workloads are lighter or less demanding.

• Budget constraints outweigh the need for maximum performance.

• You’re prototyping or experimenting with smaller models.

Deploy NVIDIA RTX A6000 for $0.50/hr in Minutes on Hyperstack.

Conclusion

If you're focused on heavy AI training or high-throughput inference, the NVIDIA L40 is your best choice. It handles modern, large-scale models with ease.

For smaller projects, model prototyping, or budget-restricted use cases, the NVIDIA RTX A6000 still offers excellent value and capability.

No matter what you choose, Hyperstack’s real cloud GPU infrastructure ensures your workloads are supported by high-speed networking and NVMe storage.

Explore Related Resources

• Comparing NVIDIA H100 PCIe vs SXM: Performance, Use Cases and More

• NVIDIA A100 PCIe vs NVIDIA A100 SXM: A Comprehensive Comparison

• NVIDIA RTX A6000 vs NVIDIA A100 Across Various Workloads

FAQs

What are the NVIDIA L40 GPU specifications?

NVIDIA L40 GPU specifications include 18,176 CUDA cores, 48 GB GDDR6 memory, 864 GB/s bandwidth, and FP8 precision support.

How much is the NVIDIA L40 price?

NVIDIA L40 price on Hyperstack starts at $1.00/hr for on-demand deployment.

What are the NVIDIA RTX 6000 GPU specifications?

NVIDIA RTX 6000 GPU specifications include 48 GB GDDR6 memory, Ampere architecture, 155 TFLOPS FP16, and 768 GB/s memory bandwidth.

What is the NVIDIA L40 GPU price?

NVIDIA L40 GPU price is $1.00/hr on Hyperstack, offering high-throughput AI training and inference capabilities.

How does the comparison between A6000 vs L40 look?

Comparison between A6000 vs L40 shows L40 outperforms A6000 in FP16/FP8 performance, memory bandwidth, and suitability for demanding AI workloads.

Which GPU is better for high-throughput AI inference, A6000 or L40?

L40 is better for high-throughput AI inference due to FP8 support, higher TFLOPS, and larger memory bandwidth than RTX A6000.

Can the NVIDIA RTX 6000 GPU handle large AI models?

Yes, NVIDIA RTX 6000 GPU can handle moderate AI workloads and smaller models, but less efficient than L40 for large-scale training.

Is the NVIDIA L40 suitable for mixed-precision AI training?

Yes, NVIDIA L40 GPU supports FP8 precision, making it ideal for efficient mixed-precision AI training workflows.

Which GPU is more cost-effective, L40 or A6000?

RTX A6000 is more cost-effective at $0.50/hr, while L40 delivers higher performance at $1.00/hr for demanding workloads.

Can the L40 and RTX A6000 run models like Llama 2 or Mistral 7B?

Yes, both GPUs can run Llama 2 or Mistral 7B, depending on model size, precision used, and batch requirements.

Which GPU is more cost-effective for AI workloads?

The NVIDIA RTX A6000 is more budget-friendly at $0.50/hr, while the NVIDIA L40 offers superior performance at $1.00/hr.

How quickly can I access these GPUs on Hyperstack?

You can deploy either GPU in minutes on Hyperstack here for on-demand AI workloads.