Tool · Run a model
Self-host vs API — at what volume does renting a GPU win?
Open-weight models can run on rented GPUs (~$1–$4/hr for an A100 / H100) or via per-token APIs. Plug in your numbers; we'll show the breakeven curve.
Monthly input tokens
30,000,000
@ 1,000,000/day
Monthly output tokens
15,000,000
@ 500,000/day
Self-host GPU
Nvidia B200
needs 169 GB VRAM
Self-host monthly
$2,008
24/7 on cheapest provider
API pricing — cheapest first
Monthly bill at 30,000,000 input + 15,000,000 output tokens.
| Provider | $/M in | $/M out | Monthly | vs self-host | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1.48 | $1.48 | $66.6 | −$1,942.2 | Open → |
Self-host on Nvidia B200
Cheapest fitting GPU for Sao10k: Llama 3 Euryale 70B v2.1 at FP16. Live at DeepInfra at $2.79/hr → $2,008/month at 24/7 utilisation.