Cloud-Based GPU Vs. On-Premise GPU: A Detailed Comparison

Invented in 1999, the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) was engineered to handle graphics-intensive tasks, such as video rendering, image processing, and game graphics. Due to advancements in technology, GPU has become one of the prominent processing units, solving complex computing problems and handling graphics-intensive tasks better than the CPU does. GPUs are integrated into on-premises and off-premises cloud-based deployment models to offer extensive computing power to cloud-based tasks.

To learn how these two completely different cloud deployment models utilise GPU processing power and handle several complex computing tasks at once, we have curated a blog on Cloud GPU vs. On-premise GPU. In this blog, you will learn the basics, benefits, which one is best for specific tasks, and lastly which one would be the best for you. So, stay tuned!

A] What is Cloud GPU and On-Premise GPU?

Cloud GPU is an extension of CPU-powered cloud servers. It is built to handle complex computing tasks, such as training AI models and rending big video files using its multicore processing power. It utilises parallel computing techniques to divide large computing tasks into several pieces and act on them altogether. At its core, cloud GPUs are physically allocated to the provider’s cloud infrastructure or data centre. With Cloud GPU, businesses don’t need to acquire an entire set of computing hardware. They only have to opt for a pay-as-you-go plan to leverage the computing power of cloud GPU.

On-premise GPU, on the other hand, is hosted at the company’s premises within their self-owned data centre or server room. On-premise GPUs are installed to solve extensive computing problems or graphic-intensive tasks within the premises without including any third-party services. In on-premise GPU, organisations have to arrange an entire set of physical computing hardware, including GPUs. They are solely responsible for installing and running their GPU server within their premises.

B] Cloud GPUs vs. On-premise GPUs: Benefits

1. Cloud GPU

Cloud GPU offers an array of benefits to its users, including pay-as-you-go, easy and swift provisioning, and stress-free maintenance. With cloud GPU, businesses don’t need to buy expensive computing hardware and acquire a space for installing them. It also offers seamless scalability options, excellent safety protocols, complete control over data access, regular maintenance, and frequent updates.

2. On-Premise

On-premise also offers a variety of benefits, including swift performance, excellent data security, and complete control over data access. However, due to heavy hardware costs, it restricts users when they think about scaling options for on-premise GPU servers.

C] Differences Between Cloud GPUs And On-Premise

1. Performance

Besides the GPU dedicated servers, other cloud development models can not match the performance level of on-premises GPUs. Since the processing power of dedicated cloud servers is not shared with any users, they offer excellent performance capabilities for training AI models and performing technical calculations faster.

Due to the single-user setup and isolated nature, on-premise GPU servers offer excellent performance, catering to a variety of resource-intensive computing problems and graphic-intensive tasks within the organisation’s premises. However, it requires a private setup and has to handle maintenance complexities itself.

2. Scalability & Customisation

Cloud GPU servers offer seamless scalability and customisation options to fulfil the growing needs of businesses. They can seamlessly extend their CPU and GPU resources to carry off their growing needs and can customise the entire server as per their suitability.

On the other hand, on-premise GPU servers pose minor challenges in terms of scalability and customisation options. To scale and customise the on-premise GPU server, an individual needs to buy extra hardware extensions and hire IT staff to install and execute them.

3. Maintainance

Since Cloud GPU servers are hosted on the provider’s cloud infrastructure, the responsibility of maintenance solely depends on them. It allows businesses to focus on their core competencies without having continuous thoughts about server maintenance and updates.

Since the organisation manages on-premise GPU servers, they are solely responsible for maintaining and updating their servers. It requires frequent attention or need for a dedicated IT staff for server maintenance and handling tasks, which eventually increases the total cost.

4. Data Control & Safety

Cloud GPUs have multiple layers of security protocols that safeguard critical data from data breaches and block malicious malware from entering the server’s environment. It also provides root access authority to its users that helps them implement their own set of controls. It allows businesses to set access rules over their data and prevent unauthorised access.

On-premise GPU servers also excel in providing robust data control and safety measures. Due to being isolated and dedicated to single users, on-premise GPU servers eliminate the possibility of cross-server breaches and allow undertakings to host their data on the cloud safely and securely. Alternatively, GPU-dedicated cloud servers also serve the same purpose without needing to invest in computing hardware purchasing and spending extra to install and run them.

5. Price

When comparing cloud GPU pricing vs on-premise GPU pricing, cloud GPU servers are a lot cheaper than on-premise GPU servers. Cloud service provider in India offer a pay-as-you-go pricing model to the hour, offering maximum flexibility, which reduces upfront heavy investment and saves money on investment while leveraging the same performance and security benefits of on-premise servers.

Installing and running on-premise servers requires buying expensive computing hardware which costs a lot. In addition, businesses have to hire a separate IT staff, which further requires frequent investment.

D] On-Premise GPUs Vs Cloud GPUs: Which One is the Best For

1. Cloud GPUs Vs. On-Premise GPUs: AI

Whether it is on-premise or cloud GPU, both are efficient for handling AI application needs. Both have parallel processing power that is required for training and running AI-based tasks. However, on-premise GPU is lacking when businesses need to extend processing power or they have fluctuations in their processing loads. It requires a heavy upfront investment. Cloud GPU can offer the same level of performance cost-effectively.

2. On-premise GPU Vs. Cloud GPU: Data Science

Both GPUs can efficiently perform complex data science tasks, such as machine learning, data analysis, and scientific simulations, by dividing big data sets into micro data sets. However, businesses have to set up their server infrastructure, which requires extensive investment. Whereas, cloud GPUs are offered by MSP providers, which provide a cost-effective way of leveraging on-premise GPU-like features without extensive upfront investments.

3. On-Premise GPU Vs Cloud GPU: Gaming

On-premise and cloud GPU, can both fulfil the demands of games or LLM’s graphic and computational requirements. However, if any business has a plan to launch its game platforms across the globe, it will need a cloud GPU to provide its gaming services to global users remotely. It also offers seamless scaling and provides stress-free maintenance.

E] Choosing Between On-Premise GPUs And Cloud GPUs

Before choosing between on-premise and cloud GPU, businesses must have a mind map for future expansions. If they want to expand their business while saving money on buying expensive computing hardware recurrently, a Cloud GPU server would be the best fit. It gives on-premise GPU-like features, provides intervention-free maintenance, and offers round-the-clock support by assigning dedicated support to them. Also, you can opt for different types of virtualisation in cloud computing for visualising your specific physical instances over your on-premise setups.

Conclusion

So, here we are. We have explored the basics, differences, and advantages of cloud GPUs over on-premise GPUs and how to choose between them. While exploring, you must have observed that both GPU servers are the best fit for complex computing and graphic-intensive tasks. However, on-premise GPU servers lack in providing cost-effective and seamless scaling, and stress-free maintenance, and pose heavy upfront investment. Whereas, cloud GPU servers surpass on-premise GPU in every segment.

So, if you are ready to opt for cloud GPU? Absolute Network, a leading and renowned provider of dedicated server hosting in India is here to help you. Contact us today and leverage the on-premise GPU-like performance and security without investing heavy money in buying expensive computing hardware.