GPUs for AI & Gaming · 2026
Cloud GPU Hub: Buy, Build, or Rent the Right GPU
The best GPU choice depends on your workload and how often you use it. Rent a cloud GPU (H100, A100, RTX 4090) for occasional or heavy AI work, buy a consumer card for daily gaming or local AI, and build only if you run a GPU for years. We compare providers, models, and prices so you can decide in minutes — not weeks.
Which GPU should you use?
A fast orientation by workload. Prices are typical starting cloud-rental rates and change often.
| Your goal | Best GPU | Buy or rent? | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train large AI models | H100 / B200 | Rent (cloud) | ~$1.50/hr |
| Run / serve LLMs | H200 | Rent (cloud) | ~$1.45/hr |
| Fine-tune on a budget | A100 | Rent (cloud) | ~$0.90/hr |
| Local AI + gaming | RTX 5090 / RTX 4090 | Buy | from ~$1,900 |
| Cheapest AI entry | Intel Arc B580 | Buy | from ~$249 |
See the full cloud GPU models guide or jump to GPU pricing.
Find your GPU by use case
Training large LLMs
H100 and B200 lead on speed. Rent by the hour instead of buying $30k hardware.
AI · InferenceServing & inference
Memory-bound work favors the H200. See what VRAM your model needs first.
GamingGaming & streaming
RTX 50-series vs 40-series, best value cards, and streaming picks compared.
DecideLocal AI vs cloud
Is it cheaper to buy a GPU or rent one? Run the break-even numbers.
Top cloud GPU providers
Specialized neo-clouds deliver the same GPUs as AWS, GCP, and Azure for 40–85% less. Match the tier to your priority.
| Provider | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| RunPod | Specialized | Best all-round balance |
| Vast.ai | Marketplace | Lowest prices |
| Lambda Labs | Specialized | ML support, cheap A100 |
| CoreWeave | Enterprise | Large-scale training |
Compare all options in the best cloud GPU providers guide, or find the cheapest GPU providers.
Free GPU tools
Answer the questions people actually ask — in seconds.
Buy, Build or Rent?
Answer 5 questions, get a personalized verdict with real cost numbers.
CompareGPU Comparison
Line up any two or three GPUs on specs, gaming, AI, price, and value.
DetectWhat GPU Do I Have?
Detect your graphics card in the browser and look up its full specs.
CostElectricity Cost Calculator
See what running your GPU really costs per month — by US state.
Explore by topic
- GPU models — H100, H200, B200, A100, RTX, AMD, Intel Arc explained
- Providers — where to rent, compared on price and reliability
- Pricing — current cloud GPU rates and how to cut your bill
- Buy vs build vs rent — the decision, with break-even math
- Gaming — best GPUs for gaming and streaming
- Buy a GPU — price trackers and used vs new advice
- GPU repair — fix common problems or decide to replace
- Learn — VRAM, fine-tuning, drivers, and how-to guides
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a GPU?
For occasional or spiky workloads, renting is cheaper — you avoid a large upfront cost and only pay for the hours you use. Buying pays off only if you run a GPU close to full-time for well over a year. Use our buy, build, or rent guide to run the break-even math for your usage.
What is the best cloud GPU for AI?
The H100 is the training workhorse and the B200 leads for the largest models. The H200 excels at memory-bound inference, and the A100 is the best value for budget training and fine-tuning. Match the GPU to your model’s VRAM needs — see our VRAM guide.
How much does it cost to rent a GPU?
Roughly $0.20/hr for a consumer RTX 4090, $1.50–$3.60/hr for an H100 on specialized clouds, and more on hyperscalers. Spot pricing cuts these 50–80%. See the full breakdown in our cost-to-rent guide.
Which cloud GPU provider is best?
For most teams, RunPod offers the best balance of price and reliability, Vast.ai has the lowest prices, and Lambda Labs is strong on support. Specialized neo-clouds cost far less than hyperscalers for the same GPU. Compare them in our providers guide.