Tools

Cloud vs. buy calculator

Compare total cost of ownership for a DIY build vs. GPU cloud rental. Now with power cost (TDP-based), editable electricity rate, and prefill support.

— click to prefill cost + TDP + rate (simulates build snapshot)

Build cost

Hardware cost (cents)

$3,529.92

GPU TDP (W) — used for power costElectricity rate (¢ / kWh)

Edits flow to calculator for live sensitivity.

Sales tax %

Cloud vs. buy

Verdict:Cloud rental likely cheaper

Full buy TCO (power incl.): $3,885.94 vs cloud $508.80

Hours / month80h

Time horizon

Electricity ¢/kWh15¢

Default 15¢/kWh. Changes update power cost + totals live.

Cloud GPU class

Build cost$3,821.14

Power cost (80h × 12mo @ 15¢)$64.80

Buy total (incl. power)$3,885.94

Cloud (RTX 4090)$508.80 / 12mo

Break-even at ~91 months ($42.40/mo)

Cloud rental likely cheaper

Rent on Vast.ai Rent on RunPod

Cloud pricing is indicative. See affiliate disclosure. Power uses GPU TDP when provided by build.

Prefill by entering GPU TDP (see Power Draw panel on builds) or use examples above. Power cost = (TDP/1000) × hours × rate × months. Full buy total shown incl. power.