Cheapest GPU Cloud for 70B LLM Models in 2026
Running Llama 3.1 70B or similar at Q4_K_M requires ~44GB VRAM. In 2026, the cheapest options are A100 80GB on Hyperstack ($2.06/hr) and RTX 4090 ×2 tensor-parallel on RunPod (~$1.40/hr combined). This page compares all viable options.
VRAM requirements by quantization level
| Quantization | VRAM needed | Quality | Fits on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q4_K_M minimum | 44GB | Good | A100 80GB · L40S 48GB · 2× RTX 4090 |
GPU recommendations & rental prices
Verified GPU rental prices across all major providers. Start in minutes, pay by the hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a 70B model on 2× RTX 4090s?
Yes, using tensor parallelism (splitting the model across two GPUs). Tools like vLLM and llama.cpp support this. The setup is more complex than a single A100 80GB, and inter-GPU bandwidth on PCIe (64 GB/s) limits throughput vs NVLink (600 GB/s). Expect ~60-70% of single-A100 throughput at ~40% of the price.
What is the cheapest cloud GPU for Llama 70B inference in 2026?
Hyperstack's A100 80GB SXM at $2.06/hr is the cheapest managed option as of August 2026. Vast.ai can go lower ($1.60-1.80/hr) for spot instances, but with less reliability guarantees. For sustained production inference at lowest cost: Hyperstack A100 or Lambda L40S at $1.99/hr.
Data verified 2026-08-20. GPU rental prices change frequently — verify before purchasing. See methodology.