When it comes to building a locally hosted AI server, the go-to choice for many is the NVIDIA 4090. However, these powerful GPUs come with a hefty price tag. But what if you’re on a budget? Are there any alternative GPUs that can still offer great performance for Large Language Models (LLMs) without breaking the bank?
The answer is yes. If you’re planning to use your server for LLMs with 7B, 13B, or even 30B models, there are some affordable GPU alternatives worth considering. Since you’ll be running Linux on your server, I’ll focus on options that are compatible with this operating system.
Before we dive into the alternatives, it’s essential to understand that the performance of your GPU will significantly impact the training and inference times of your LLMs. So, while these alternatives might not match the 4090’s performance, they’ll still provide a significant boost to your AI server.
One option to consider is the NVIDIA A10 or A16. These GPUs offer a great balance between performance and price, making them an attractive choice for those on a budget. Another option is the AMD Radeon Pro VII, which provides competitive performance to NVIDIA’s offerings at a lower price point.
Ultimately, the choice of GPU will depend on your specific needs and budget. By considering these alternative options, you can build a powerful and affordable locally hosted AI server for your LLMs.