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Blog | Future-Ready Data Centers: Unlocking Advanced AI and Graphics Capabilities with NVIDIA's L40S GPU
January 18th 2024
The Influence of AI Across Sectors
The rise of generative AI stands out as the next major revolution, reshaping the way businesses operate across the globe. From mainstream computing to cutting-edge applications, this transformative technology is leaving an indelible mark on every industry it touches.
Enterprises worldwide are embracing the potential of generative AI, integrating it into their workstreams to enhance efficiency and unlock new possibilities. A case in point- ChatGPT, a
trailblazer in the realm of generative AI, achieved a remarkable milestone by amassing 1 million users in just 5 days – faster than the biggest social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram.
trailblazer in the realm of generative AI, achieved a remarkable milestone by amassing 1 million users in just 5 days – faster than the biggest social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram.
The accelerated adoption of generative AI is not limited to chat applications alone. AI is being used by a variety of industries to push boundaries and redefine creative possibilities. These industries include graphics and design, AI-driven video encoding and decoding, and algorithmic analysis in mainstream computing.
As enterprises increasingly integrate AI-intensive workflows into their operations, the demand for high-performance Graphics Processing Unit (GPUs) capable of handling enterprise-level AI and graphics workloads is soaring. These GPUs are becoming indispensable components in modern data centers, powering the seamless execution of AI-driven tasks and driving innovation to new heights.
Nvidia L40S: Features and Highlights
The Nvidia L40S GPU, is a groundbreaking solution designed to redefine multi-workload performance in datacenters. The L40S is the highest performance universal GPU for AI, Graphics and Video. With a fusion of robust AI computing capabilities and best-in-class graphics and media acceleration, the L40S propels data center workloads into the next era. The L40S can seamlessly handle a spectrum of workloads, ranging from generative AI and Large Language Model (LLM) inference to the intricate realms of 3D graphics, rendering, and video applications. Structural sparsity and optimised TF32 format empower out-of-the-box performance gains, boosting AI and data science model training.
DLSS 3 elevates graphics capabilities by providing superior resolution upscaling and performance. This enhances rendering performance, delivering higher FPS and significantly improving latency. The L40S is also equipped with ray-tracing and shading capabilities- an advantage for professionals in design and graphic workflows. Powered by Ada Lovelace's fourth-generation Tensor Cores, the Transformer Engine stands as a game-changer. Its automatic recasting between FP8 and FP16 precisions involves intelligent scanning of transformer architecture neural network layers, accelerating AI performance, training, and inference. Beyond performance, the L40S prioritises data center efficiency and security. In line with the latest standards, it is optimised for round-the-clock enterprise operations. In essence, the Nvidia L40S GPU isn't just about graphics and AI. It's a journey into the future of data center efficiency, security, and unparalleled performance.
Why choose the L40S over the A100 and H100?
● Versatility: The L40S excels across a spectrum of workloads, seamlessly handling generative AI, language models, 3D graphics, rendering, and video applications. In contrast, the A100 and H100 prioritise their core strengths in AI applications and large language model inference, without supporting graphics and Omniverse.
● AI Capabilities: The L40S outperforms the A100 in AI performance, as evidenced by MLPerf Benchmark results showcasing equivalent capabilities in AI and Large Language Model Inferencing. Notably, the L40S excels beyond the A100 in AI image generation. While the H100 surpasses both the L40S and A100 in the mentioned aspects, its elevated performance comes at a considerably higher price point, coupled with limited availability.
● Optimised for Graphics Applications and Omniverse: The L40S, unlike the A100 and H100 delivers exceptional performance for Omniverse and visual computing. Equipped with the 3rd gen RTX, ray tracing, batch path tracing and more, it excels at rendering performance and video encoding/decoding.
● Pricing: As of November 2023, the L40S is priced higher than the A100 but lesser than the H100. This is mainly because it offers comparative performance and in some cases better performance and has wider application than the A100. However, when it comes to advanced AI applications demanding higher precision, the H100 takes the lead, although at a significantly higher price point and with limited availability.
● Availability: While the H100 commands a hefty price tag, its availability is currently limited, with bookings extending for several months at the time of writing this blog. In contrast, the L40S offers a more accessible alternative with shorter lead times, making it a practical choice for users who cannot wait for the H100.
● AI Capabilities: The L40S outperforms the A100 in AI performance, as evidenced by MLPerf Benchmark results showcasing equivalent capabilities in AI and Large Language Model Inferencing. Notably, the L40S excels beyond the A100 in AI image generation. While the H100 surpasses both the L40S and A100 in the mentioned aspects, its elevated performance comes at a considerably higher price point, coupled with limited availability.
● Optimised for Graphics Applications and Omniverse: The L40S, unlike the A100 and H100 delivers exceptional performance for Omniverse and visual computing. Equipped with the 3rd gen RTX, ray tracing, batch path tracing and more, it excels at rendering performance and video encoding/decoding.
● Pricing: As of November 2023, the L40S is priced higher than the A100 but lesser than the H100. This is mainly because it offers comparative performance and in some cases better performance and has wider application than the A100. However, when it comes to advanced AI applications demanding higher precision, the H100 takes the lead, although at a significantly higher price point and with limited availability.
● Availability: While the H100 commands a hefty price tag, its availability is currently limited, with bookings extending for several months at the time of writing this blog. In contrast, the L40S offers a more accessible alternative with shorter lead times, making it a practical choice for users who cannot wait for the H100.
Final Thoughts
The NVIDIA L40S stands out as a versatile solution tailored for users engaged in AI, graphics, and video applications. Its unmatched versatility sets it apart from the A100 and H100, making it suitable for a diverse range of workloads.The L40S trumps the A100 in terms of AI applications. While the H100 outshines the A100 and L40S in more demanding and precision-driven AI applications. It is positioned at a substantially higher price point and has limited availability. Choosing among the three depends on the specific needs and applications within an organisation. For those seeking a GPU for their data centre with mixed workloads, encompassing AI model training, video and image rendering, or HPC simulations, the L40S emerges as the optimal choice. The scarcity of the H100, coupled with its high price, makes the L40S the ideal solution to effectively meet your organisation's requirements.
Leverage Digicor's expertise for the seamless deployment of the Nvidia L40S, whether as a comprehensive end-to-end solution or to seamlessly integrate the GPU into your existing infrastructure. Our extensive experience ensures the selection of the optimal solution to meet your requirements.
Explore our Range of Servers Compatible with the Nvidia L40s
SYS-421GE-TNRT
Key Applications:
- High Performance Computing
- VDI
- AI/Deep Learning Training
- Media/Video Streaming
- Cloud Gaming
- Animation and Modeling
- Design & Visualization
- 3D Rendering
- Diagnostic Imaging
LEARN MORE- High Performance Computing
- VDI
- AI/Deep Learning Training
- Media/Video Streaming
- Cloud Gaming
- Animation and Modeling
- Design & Visualization
- 3D Rendering
- Diagnostic Imaging
SYS-741GE-TNRT
Key Applications:
- High Performance Computing
- VDI
- AI/Deep Learning Training
- Media/Video Streaming
- Cloud Gaming
- Animation and Modeling
- Design & Visualization
- 3D Rendering
- Diagnostic Imaging
- AI Training
LEARN MORE- High Performance Computing
- VDI
- AI/Deep Learning Training
- Media/Video Streaming
- Cloud Gaming
- Animation and Modeling
- Design & Visualization
- 3D Rendering
- Diagnostic Imaging
- AI Training
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