Navigating HPC cluster prices can be challenging, but this guide provides a complete breakdown of the costs involved in building an HPC cluster to help you make an informed decision. The information here is based on our 17 years of experience in the HPC industry.
The cost of an HPC cluster varies based on factors like the number of processors, network, and memory, ranging from $50,000 for entry-level clusters to $150,000 – $250,000 for workgroup clusters, with enterprise clusters exceeding $250,000. Leasing can make these clusters more accessible by allowing you to pay fixed monthly payments over a period of time, much like a car lease.
HPC Cost Examples
We have prepared some examples to illustrate how HPC costs can vary depending on the scenario.
Example 1: Entry-Level On-Prem Cluster for CFD
Here’s an example of an entry-level on-premises cluster for CFD simulations.
| Hardware Option | Cost | Location | Time Duration and Instance Type |
| 192-core 4th Gen AMD Genoa-X processor (with a cluster head node and 24TB storage) | $50,000 / $1,041/month | On-Prem | 4-Year Warranty |
Example 2: Cloud HPC Cluster Compute Options for CFD
Here’s a list of examples of cloud HPC clusters for CFD simulations.
| Hardware Option | List Price Cost | Location | Time Duration and Instance Type |
| 64-core 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processor | $3,300.77 | AWS | 3-Year RHEL Reserved hpc6id.32xlarge Instance with EFA |
| 96-core AMD EPYC Milan 7R13 | $2,412.50 | AWS | 3-Year RHEL Reserved Hpc6a.48xlarge Instance with EFA |
| 192-core AMD EPYC Genoa | $5,484.64 per month | AWS | 3-Year RHEL Reserved |
| 64-core 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processor | $6.39 per Node Hour | AWS | Hourly RHEL On Demand hpc6id.32xlarge Instance with EFA |
| 96-core AMD EPYC Milan 7R13 | $3.916 per Node Hour | AWS | Hourly RHEL On Demand Hpc6a.48xlarge with EFA |
| 120 core AMD EPYC Milan 7003 | $1,314 per month | Azure | 3-year RHEL Reserved HB120rs V3 with InfiniBand |
| 120 core AMD EPYC Milan 7003 | $3.60 per Node Hour | Azure | Hourly On Demand RHEL HB120rs V3 |
Learn more by visiting our blog post: Are HPC Clusters Really a Million Dollars.
How Do I Determine How Much Computing Power I Need?
Determining the right amount of computing power for your needs is essential to avoid over-investing in unnecessary resources or ending up with a system that falls short of your requirements.
Start by understanding the complexity and scale of the problems you need to solve. The best approach is to run your application on hardware that closely resembles what you are considering. Benchmarking your workloads on similar systems will provide precise insights into whether the configuration meets your performance expectations or not.
Researching similar use cases can also be valuable. TotalCAE and ISV vendors have case studies that detail the hardware configurations used to solve problems similar to yours. If such data isn’t available, TotalCAE often can assist you in benchmarking and justifying your investment in HPC.
At TotalCAE, we offer Managed On-Premises HPC and managed cloud solutions tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you’re generating large simulations or running complex analyses, our team can help you design a system that precisely matches your needs, ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency.
Factors to Evaluate
These are some factors that can affect the final HPC cluster price. Understanding these factors will help ensure the system aligns with your requirements.
Number of Processors
Processors are the heart of any HPC system, relying on them to perform core functions. The more processors you have, the greater your system’s capacity to perform tasks simultaneously, drastically reducing computation times. Different applications demand varying numbers and types of processors. TotalCAE offers blueprints for the best processors or cloud instances for many CAE and scientific applications.
Network
Networking within an HPC cluster ensures that data is transferred quickly and with very low latency between different parts of the system. Carefully considering the networking needs of your applications can help you choose a network configuration that balances cost and performance. On-prem InfiniBand is used if you are running multi-node jobs.
Memory Per Core
Memory per Core is another critical factor that significantly affects the final HPC cluster price. A machine with 1TB of memory is more expensive than one with just 128GB. Evaluating the memory requirements of your software and use cases will help you decide on configurations that avoid performance bottlenecks while staying cost-effective.
Things to Avoid
These are some considerations to keep in mind when investigating HPC costs. Some of them do not necessarily influence the final cost, but rather your experience during and after the purchase.
- Match the application to the hardware: Certain applications behave better on Intel than AMD, others need more memory bandwidth instead of fast CPUs. Be sure to match the application you are using to the machine you are buying.
- License costs: Many applications are licensed by CPU cores, so making sure the solution maximizes the HPC licensing of your applications ensures you get the most value out of the HPC system and your licensing.
- Quality concerns: Ensure that every component in your HPC cluster, from processors to networking technology, comes from reputable brands and is configured for maximum performance and management. Systems that are not properly designed can lead to reliability issues, increased maintenance costs, and system downtime.
- Ignoring HPC or application experience: Work only with experienced HPC providers who offer detailed insights about your cluster and the applications you intend to use on it. They should support the solution from the hardware up through the application, throughout the process, from design to implementation and beyond.
TotalCAE has over 17 years of experience in the HPC industry supporting CAE and scientific applications. Our goal is to help you find your ideal HPC solution without complications or downtimes so you can spend more time focusing on your core business tasks.
Harness The Power of HPC With TotalCAE
TotalCAE offers comprehensive solutions that facilitate the process of purchasing, installing, and maintaining a powerful HPC cluster. Choose TotalCAE to build an HPC cluster to reduce your simulation time and increase the throughput of your engineering team. TotalCAE also offers a cloud add-on to increase the flexibility and agility, offering a single vendor and workflow solution for all of your HPC needs.
Contact us today or learn more about our On-Premises HPC solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about HPC costs.
How Much Does a Computing Cluster Cost?
The cost of an HPC cluster varies widely depending on your specific business needs and the quality of the components you choose. Factors like the number of processors, type of networking, and memory capacity significantly impact the total cost. Costs range from $50,000 for a small cluster, or around $1,000 a month, to $250,000 for midsize HPC.
Can I Build an HPC Cluster for Under $50,000?
While it is possible to build an HPC cluster for less than $50,000, it is unlikely that a cluster with that budget will deliver optimal performance, storage, and management for most engineering tasks beyond 1-2 users. As professional HPC solutions providers with over 17 years of experience, TotalCAE recommends a budget of at least $50,000 or $1,000 a month to ensure optimal performance for business tasks.
Are There Any Alternatives to Building My Own HPC Cluster?
If building an HPC cluster isn’t feasible due to budget constraints, consider Cloud HPC solutions or hybrid options. TotalCAE offers comprehensive hybrid solutions that combine on-premises and cloud resources, along with tools to help you efficiently manage your cloud costs and avoid overspending.