H100 GPU Price Comparison: 2025 Knowledgebase

The NVIDIA H100 GPU, based on the Hopper architecture, is one of the most advanced accelerators for artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), and deep learning workloads. As demand for AI infrastructure grows, understanding the price landscape for the H100 is crucial for researchers, enterprises, and cloud users. This guide provides an in-depth, up-to-date comparison of H100 GPU prices across purchase, rental, and cloud deployment scenarios, and contrasts the H100 with previous-generation GPUs like the A100.

1. Direct Purchase Price of the NVIDIA H100

• Base Price (2025):
  The typical starting price for a new NVIDIA H100 GPU is around $25,000 per unit.

• Advanced Configurations:
  Higher-end versions, such as the H100 80GB GPU, can cost up to $30,970 or more.

• Bulk/Enterprise Systems:
  Multi-GPU systems (such as NVIDIA DGX H100) can exceed $400,000 for a complete node.

International Pricing

• India:
  The H100 is priced between Rs.25-30 lakhs (approx. $30,000-$36,000) per unit, depending on the vendor and configuration.

• Secondary Market:
  Occasionally, refurbished H100 PCIe units appear for $12,000-$15,000, but these may come with limited warranty and support.

2. Cloud and Rental Pricing

Due to the high cost of ownership, many users opt for cloud-based or rental access to H100 GPUs. Pricing varies by provider, region, and demand.

Hourly Cloud Rental Rates

Note: Prices fluctuate based on region, supply, and specific configurations. Always check with the provider for current rates.

Rental in India

• Purchase: Rs.25-30 lakhs per GPU

• Rental: Rs.200-Rs.242 per hour (approx. $2.5-$3/hour)

3. H100 vs. A100 GPU Price Comparison

The H100 is significantly more expensive than its predecessor, the A100, but offers substantial performance improvements.

• 
  Price Differential:
  The H100 is 70-100% more expensive than the A100, with some configurations nearly doubling the price.

• Cloud Cost:
  H100 hourly rates are 1.5-2x higher than A100, but the improved performance can lead to lower total training costs for optimized workloads.

4. Factors Affecting H100 Pricing

• Configuration:
  PCIe vs. SXM, memory size (80GB HBM3 is standard), and cooling requirements influence price.

• Vendor and Region:
  Prices vary by vendor, region, and supply chain factors. Import duties and taxes can increase costs outside the US.

• Market Demand:
  High demand for AI/ML and data center deployments keeps prices elevated, though some stabilization is expected as supply improves.

• Refurbished/Secondary Market:
  Limited availability of used or refurbished units at lower prices, but with potential trade-offs in warranty and support.

5. H100 vs. AMD and Other Alternatives

• AMD MI300X:
  AMD's competing MI300X GPUs are priced at $10,000-$15,000, making the H100 up to four times more expensive in some cases.

• Other NVIDIA GPUs:
  The RTX 4090 and other consumer GPUs are less expensive but not suitable for large-scale AI/HPC workloads.

6. Cost-Effectiveness and Value

• Performance per Dollar:
  While the H100's upfront cost is high, its superior performance (2-4x faster than A100 for many workloads) can make it more cost-effective for large-scale or time-sensitive projects.

• Cloud Flexibility:
  Cloud rentals allow users to access H100 power without the capital expense, ideal for short-term or bursty workloads.

• Enterprise Considerations:
  Enterprises with sustained, large-scale AI needs may benefit from direct purchase despite the high initial investment.

7. Market Trends and Future Outlook

• Price Stabilization:
  With increased production and the introduction of next-generation GPUs, H100 prices are expected to stabilize or decline modestly in late 2025.

• Cloud Competition:
  More cloud providers are offering H100s, increasing competition and potentially lowering hourly rates.

• Secondary Market Growth:
  As newer GPUs launch, more used H100s may enter the secondary market, offering lower entry points for smaller organizations.

8. Summary Table: H100 GPU Price Overview (2025)

9. Key Takeaways

• The NVIDIA H100 is the most expensive mainstream AI GPU as of 2025, with prices reflecting its leading-edge performance and high demand.

• Cloud rental options provide flexibility and reduce capital expenditure, but hourly rates are higher than previous generations.

• For organizations needing maximum performance and scalability, the H100 offers compelling value despite its premium price tag, especially when workloads are optimized for its capabilities.

• Price trends suggest gradual stabilization as supply increases and new GPUs enter the market.

For the latest pricing and availability, always consult official vendor or cloud provider pages, as prices can fluctuate rapidly due to market dynamics and supply chain factors.

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