The Best Cloud Providers for Cheap Virtual Machines with NVIDIA Graphic Cards

If you're on a tight budget but still need powerful virtual machines (VMs) with NVIDIA graphic cards, there are several cloud service providers that offer competitive options. This article will guide you through the best choices, from Amazon Web Services to niche providers like Paperspace and Vultr, highlighting their features, costs, and usage models.

Choosing the Right Cloud Provider

When selecting a provider for your cloud-based VMs with NVIDIA graphic cards, there are several key factors to consider:

Pricing: Costs can vary based on the instance type, region, and whether you use spot instances or reserved instances. Geographical Location: Some providers offer more competitive pricing based on your region. Specific GPU Requirements: Ensure the provider offers the specific GPU capabilities you need for your workload. Promotional Offers: Check for any promotions or free credits for new users which can help reduce initial costs.

Popular Cloud Service Providers

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS offers a variety of instances with NVIDIA GPUs, such as the G4 and P4 instances. Pricing can vary based on the instance type and region. For cost savings, consider using spot instances, which can be up to 90% cheaper than on-demand instances.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

GCP provides virtual machines with NVIDIA GPUs like Tesla T4 and V100. Preemptible VMs are an option for cost savings, though they can be terminated at any time. These instances are suitable for workloads that can tolerate some interruptions.

Microsoft Azure

Azure offers several VM sizes with NVIDIA GPUs. Pricing varies and using reserved instances or spot pricing can help reduce costs. Azure’s N-series VMs are specifically designed for tasks that require high GPU performance.

Paperspace

Paperspace is a specialized provider in GPU cloud computing, offering competitive pricing for virtual machines with NVIDIA GPUs. They have options for both gaming and machine learning, making it a versatile choice for various applications.

Vultr

Vultr offers dedicated cloud instances with NVIDIA GPUs and straightforward pricing. Their user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up and manage your virtual machines.

Linode

Linode introduced GPU instances that are suitable for machine learning and rendering tasks. These solutions are offered at competitive rates and are user-friendly.

NVIDIA GeForce NOW

While primarily a gaming service, NVIDIA GeForce NOW allows you to access NVIDIA GPUs in the cloud, which might be useful for specific applications like rendering or machine learning.

OVHcloud

OVHcloud offers dedicated servers with NVIDIA GPUs at competitive prices, particularly for European users. This makes them a great choice for businesses based in the region.

Considering Alternatives

While cloud providers offer powerful and scalable solutions, it's worth considering whether cloud computing is necessary for your specific use-cases. Here are some alternative solutions:

On-Premise Solutions

You might want to consider purchasing a mid-tier current-generation NVIDIA card and setting it up on your local machine. This can be less expensive and less complex than managing cloud instances. Popular card options include the NVIDIA RTX 3070 or 3080.

Decentralized Computing with BOINC Projects

Some free services allow you to contribute your machine’s power to decentralized computing projects. BOINC (Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Neurofactory) is a platform where users' computers are used to perform computations for scientific research. While this approach is cost-effective, it may not provide an immediate turnaround and lacks the control and performance guarantees of a dedicated cloud instance.

Conclusion

When choosing a provider for cheap virtual machines with NVIDIA GPUs, consider factors such as pricing, geographical location, and specific GPU requirements. Providers like AWS, GCP, and Azure offer powerful and scalable solutions, while niche providers like Paperspace and Vultr provide more specialized options. For those looking for a less complex and cost-effective solution, on-premise setups or decentralized computing projects can also be viable options.