GPU Waitlist Opportunity Cost

Waiting on scarce GPUs can cripple deployment schedules. Combine your backlog count, per-GPU monthly contribution, and expected wait time to surface lost revenue, the monthly run-rate you could be billing, and even the capital carrying cost of deposits tied up during the delay.

Number of GPUs stuck on the waitlist or delayed in procurement.
Gross profit each deployed GPU generates per month after cloud or colocation costs.
Optional. Defaults to 3 months. Represents how long hardware is backordered.
Optional. Defaults to 85%. Accounts for queueing and idle time when estimating monetizable hours.
Optional. Defaults to 7%. Used to value capital sitting idle in deposits or prepayments during the wait.

Indicative planning tool—validate pricing, utilization, and financing assumptions with your FP&A and infrastructure teams before committing spend.

Examples

  • 64 GPUs, $2,450 margin each, 4.5-month wait, 85% utilization, 7% cost of capital ⇒ Lost contribution margin: $808,320.00 USD • Monthly run-rate once live: $133,280.00 USD • Capital carrying cost: $21,224.40 USD • Total opportunity cost: $829,544.40 USD over 4.50 months.
  • 24 GPUs, $1,600 margin each, default wait, utilization left blank ⇒ Lost contribution margin: $97,920.00 USD • Monthly run-rate once live: $32,640.00 USD • Capital carrying cost: $1,712.64 USD • Total opportunity cost: $99,632.64 USD over 3.00 months.

FAQ

Where should the monthly contribution number come from?

Use gross profit per GPU after power, rack space, orchestration, and cloud costs. If you sell GPU hours, multiply billable hours by net margin per hour.

How do I handle phased deliveries?

Run separate scenarios for each delivery batch with its own wait time, then sum the total opportunity costs across all batches for a portfolio view.

Can I compare against cloud bursting?

Yes. Estimate the incremental cost of renting equivalent cloud GPUs and compare it to the total opportunity cost shown here to decide if temporary burst capacity is justified.

Does the capital cost include reseller deposits?

If you prepay for hardware, include that cash in the cost of capital assumption so the calculator captures both lost margin and financing drag while you wait.

Additional Information

  • Result unit: U.S. dollars representing lost contribution margin plus optional capital carrying cost.
  • Utilization defaults to 85% so you can conservatively value productive hours without overestimating run-rate.
  • Capital charge annualizes the cost of tied-up deposits by multiplying opportunity cost by your cost of capital and wait length.

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