Compute Exchange allows buyers to acquire GPU computing resources through a competitive auction system. Instead of negotiating individually with providers, buyers can set their preferred price and place bids on available compute power, ensuring cost efficiency and flexibility.

This guide walks you through the steps to successfully place a bid on the Compute Exchange platform and secure the computing resources you need. The process consists of the following steps:

  1. Find an auction.

  2. Configure your bid.

  3. Review and place your bid.

Before participating in an auction, you need to set up a valid payment method. See Payment

​
Step 1: Finding an Auction

After signing in to Compute Exchange, you will be redirected to your Dashboard, where you can view a list of active auctions.

Each auction displays:

  • The remaining time includes the no-cancel period and auction end time.

  • The compute delivery details, specifying the available compting resources.

To participate, click Bid next to the auction that meets your needs.

You can also browse auctions by navigating to Auctions > Active & Upcoming.

​
Step 2: Configuring your Bid

After selecting an auction, you will be directed to the Bid Configuration menu, where you can customize your bid parameters, including GPU specifications, price, and contract duration. To configure your bid, follow the steps below:

  1. Specify the number of GPUs you want to rent.

  2. Choose a GPU model from the available options. You can select multiple models or leave it as Any to increase matching opportunities.

  3. Select the deployment region where you want to access the compute resources.

Checking Advanced Options displays additional configuration fields regarding the system, server and networking options. See the Advanced Options section for more details.

  1. In the Your Bid menu, specify contract duration. Choose the number of days you want to rent the resources in Duration.

  2. Define your maximum bid Price per GPU per hour. The system will calculate the total estimated cost based on the number of GPUs, contract duration, and price you set.

  3. Check the cancellation window:

    • You can modify or cancel the bid if the cancellation window is open.

    • The bid becomes legally binding upon submission if the window is closed.

  4. Once you filled in all the details, click Review Bid.

Once you’ve configured your bid and clicked Review Bid, you will see a summary of your selections. See Step 3 for more details.

​
Advanced Options (Optional)

For more control over your compute resources, you can enable Advanced Options. These settings allow you to customize your server and system preferences. The available options are are:

  • GPU Network Preference:

    • Interconnect: Choose the type of the connection between Infiniband and Ethernet.

    • Interconnect Bandwith: Define the required GPU interconnection speed.

  • Server Preference:

    • CPU: Specify the number of CPU cores.

    • Memory: Define the amount of RAM.

    • Local SSD Storage: Choose the required SSD storage capacity.

    • Local HDD Storage: Choose the required HDD storage capacity.

  • System Preference:

    • Virtualization: Choose between Bare Metal (direct access to hardware) or Virtualized (running in a virtualized environment).

    • Datacenter Internet Download Bandwidth: Define the required download speed.

    • Datacenter Internet Upload Bandwidth: Define the required upload speed.

​
Step 3: Reviewing and Placing the Bid

After clicking Review Bid you will see a summary of your selections. Carefully check all details, including:

  • GPU quantity and model.

  • Network and storage configurations.

  • Contract duration and bid price.

If everything looks correct, click Place Bid.

A confirmation window will appear, outlining the legally binding nature of the bid. Click Confirm to finalize your submission.

​
Validating Funds

If no payment details have been added to your account, upon submitting the bid, a window will pop up requesting that you input valid credit card information to perform a temporary charge to check the validity of your payment method and funds.

See Payment to learn how to set up your payment details in advance.

​
Tracking Your Bid

After submitting your bid, you will be redirected to the Orders Dashboard page, where you can monitor the auction’s progress.

  • If your bid is matched with a provider, your contract will be activated.

  • You will receive a confirmation of the final price per GPU per hour.

  • The cost will not exceed your bid price but may be lower depending on competition.