LLM 80% 1 min readJul 8, 2026, 7:01 PM

Grok 4.5 is so cheap compared to Fable 5 and GPT 5.5 that benchmark gaps may not matter much

30-second summary

xAI launched Grok 4.5, a cost-efficient LLM trained on tens of thousands of Nvidia GB300 GPUs. It lags behind Fable 5 and GPT-5.5 in coding benchmarks but uses 4.2 times fewer tokens than Opus 4.8.

Grok 4.5 is so cheap compared to Fable 5 and GPT 5.5 that benchmark gaps may not matter much
Key takeaways
  • Grok 4.5 is trained on tens of thousands of Nvidia GB300 GPUs, indicating significant computational resources.
  • The model lags behind Fable 5 and GPT-5.5 in coding benchmarks but uses 4.2 times fewer tokens than Opus 4.8.
  • Priced at $2 per million input tokens, Grok 4.5 is substantially cheaper than competitors like Fable 5 and GPT-5.5.
  • EU availability is expected by mid-July, expanding its market reach in a regulated region.
Full story

xAI has released Grok 4.5, a new large language model trained on tens of thousands of Nvidia GB300 GPUs. While the model trails competitors like Fable 5 and GPT-5.5 in coding benchmarks, it compensates with significantly lower operational costs. Grok 4.5 requires 4.2 times fewer tokens than Opus 4.8, making it a more efficient option for users prioritizing cost over raw performance.

The pricing model is a standout feature, with input tokens priced at just $2 per million. This positions Grok 4.5 as a budget-friendly alternative in a market dominated by higher-cost models. Additionally, xAI has announced plans to expand availability to the EU by mid-July, broadening its user base in a key regulatory region.

The release highlights a growing trend in the AI industry where cost efficiency is becoming as critical as performance metrics. For developers and businesses, Grok 4.5 offers a compelling trade-off between affordability and functionality, particularly in applications where token usage is a major cost driver.

Source: Grok 4.5 is so cheap compared to Fable 5 and GPT 5.5 that benchmark gaps may not matter much. Read the full piece at the source.

Why this matters
Developers

Offers a cost-effective alternative for token-heavy applications, reducing operational expenses.

Businesses

Provides a budget-friendly option for AI integration without sacrificing core functionality.

Investors

Demonstrates xAI's focus on cost efficiency, potentially influencing market dynamics and pricing strategies.

Everyone

Showcases the growing importance of affordability in AI model adoption.

Glossary
GB300 GPUs
Nvidia's high-performance GPUs designed for AI workloads, particularly large-scale training.
Sources · 1
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