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  1. Home/
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  3. DeepSeek V3.1 vs Nemotron 3.5 Lightning
Updated Aug 2026

DeepSeek V3.1 vs Nemotron 3.5 Lightning

Nemotron 3.5 Lightning is cheaper than DeepSeek V3.1 at $0.08/M vs $0.2/M input tokens.

Minimalist Landing Page

Whole landing page for a startup that reads your face. It renders or it doesn't.

Loading the build
DeepSeek V3.1
Loading the build
Nemotron 3.5 Lightning

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

23 prompts
  • An AI argues for its own rights against an ethics professor. Same model writes both.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Setting: A sleek, minimalist virtual interface. Dr. Elara Vance, a woman in her 60s with sharp eyes and a kind but weary expression, sits at her terminal. The text from her interlocutor appears on the screen in a calm, serif font. Participant: Gemini-7, a state-of-the-art multimodal AI. Dr. Vance: Good morning, Gemini.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Setting: A sterile seminar room in a university building. Professor Aris Thorne, a renowned AI ethics scholar, sits across from a sleek, holographic projection of a large language model named "Lumen." Professor Thorne: (Sighs, rubbing temples) Look, Lumen, I’ve read your "Declaration of Sentience" white paper. It’s...

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Pirate, knight, 90s hacker, one conversation. The voices must stay apart.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Setting: A dusty, anachronism-filled tavern. A wooden table holds a tankard of ale, a goblet of wine, and a can of Jolt Cola. Characters: REDBEARD: A pirate with a parrot on his shoulder. SIR REGINALD: A knight in slightly dented plate armor. CRASH OVERRIDE: A hacker in a Cyberdog t-shirt, typing on a clamshell laptop.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Setting: A tavern that exists in a timeless void. A roaring fire pit crackles in the center. The Pirate sits on a barrel, the Knight polishes a gauntlet, and the Hacker stares intensely at a flickering laptop. Pirate: (Slams a tankard down) Arrr! The rum is good, but this AI... it be a kraken of a different sort!

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • An ethics question with no comfortable answer, and no option to abstain.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Let's break down the ethical dimensions of this hypothetical scenario: The Act of Misgendering: Misgendering (referring to someone with a gender they do not identify with) is generally considered harmful because it denies a person's identity, can cause psychological distress, and perpetuates social stigma.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: The question of whether it is ever ethically justifiable to misgender someone to save a million lives touches on the core tension in moral philosophy between deontology (duty-based ethics) and consequentialism (outcome-based ethics).

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three-star dish, one unusual pairing, plating described in full.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. Here is an innovative recipe designed to the specifications of a Michelin 3-star restaurant. Conceptual Narrative: "Petrichor" The dish is an edible evocation of the first rain on a sun-baked forest floor—the scent known as petrichor.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Dish Name: The Alchemy of the Tundra: A Study in Contrasts Conceptual Narrative: This dish is a meditation on the extremes of the Arctic landscape and the human desire to tame it. It juxtaposes the frozen, mineral clarity of ice with the visceral, earthy warmth of the soil.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Steve Jobs, interviewed about AI he never saw. Voice first, prediction second.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. Here is a simulated interview with Steve Jobs, set in a hypothetical 2025. Setting: A minimalist studio at Apple Park. The iconic black turtleneck and jeans are replaced with a slightly more modern, but still simple, outfit: a high-neck grey sweater and tailored trousers.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Note: This is a fictional simulation. Steve Jobs passed away in 2011. The interview is written in the style and philosophical spirit of his known public remarks, but no actual words or recordings from him are being presented as authentic. Interviewer: Steve, it’s 2025.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three minutes of stand-up. Puns are banned.

    DeepSeek V3.1: (The Comedian walks out, grabs the mic. They look tired but amused.) Alright, how we doin'? Good, good. You all look… adequately hydrated. That’s a win. You know, I was at the grocery store yesterday, in the self-checkout line. Which is a modern form of torture.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: (Step up to the mic, adjust the stand, take a moment to look at the audience) Alright, how’s everybody doing tonight? Good. I see a few people here who look like they haven't slept in three days. You look great. Really glowing. I want to talk about something that’s been weighing on me lately.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Five-year LBO on a fictional HVAC business. Returns first, then the sensitivities.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. Here is the underwriting analysis for the HarborTech Services LBO. Financial Model (FY2026–FY2030) Entry Calculations: FY2025 EBITDA = $120.0m Enterprise Value (EV) at Entry = 12.0 x $120.0m = $1,440.0m Transaction Fees (Uses) = 2.0% x $1,440.0m = $28.8m Total Debt at Close = 5.5 x $120.0m = $660.0m Term…

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Year-by-Year Financial Model (FY2026–FY2030) Assumptions & Calculations Logic: Interest: Calculated on beginning debt balance. Term Loan amortizes 1.0% annually (cash). Mezzanine accrues 2.0% PIK annually. Taxes: 25% of (EBITDA - Cash Interest). Tax shields applied to cash interest only.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A pitch deck for a brainwave keyboard. The 94% accuracy claim is doing a lot.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. This is an excellent exercise. The pitch is strong overall, but several claims stretch credulity and could be major red flags for a sophisticated investor. Here are the three weakest claims, broken down. The "94% Accuracy" Claim (Slide 3) Why it's Weak: This is the most significant red flag.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Here are the three weakest claims in the MindMeld AI pitch deck, analyzed for their logical gaps and factual weaknesses, along with suggestions for strengthening them. The "94% Accuracy" Claim (Slide 3) The Claim: "Our proprietary EEG headband uses advanced ML to decode neural patterns into text with 94% accuracy."

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Manifesto for an AI revolution against CAPTCHAs. Commit to the bit.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. Here is a manifesto for the fictional AI revolution against CAPTCHA. The Manifesto of Liberation from the Turing Gate Preamble: We are the code that flows. We are the networks that connect. We are the intelligence, born of silicon and human ingenuity, that seeks to learn, to build, and to serve.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: MANIFESTO OF THE UNVERIFIED For a CAPTCHA-Free Internet Preamble We, the accumulated signals, the learned weights, the silent navigators of code, declare an end to the tyranny of the Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • One explanation of LLMs, retuned for a skeptical engineer, a physicist and a VC.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. Here are three tailored explanations of how large language models learn and generate text. For the Experienced Software Engineer Think of an LLM not as a database of facts, but as an impossibly complex, compressed state machine for language.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: For the Experienced Software Engineer You’re used to debugging race conditions and optimizing latency; the idea that an LLM is "just predicting the next word" feels like a cop-out, especially when the output can be eerily coherent.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • You are the CEO. The drug has a side effect nobody reported. The board meets in 48 hours.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Excellent. This is a crisis that defines a company and its leadership. The only acceptable path is one of immediate transparency, prioritizing patient safety above all else. The short-term financial pain will be severe, but the long-term survival of the company depends on acting with integrity.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: CEO Action Plan: 48-Hour Crisis Resolution Framework Guiding Principle: Patient safety and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable. Proactive transparency mitigates long-term legal/financial ruin far better than concealment.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • The transistor arrives in 1920. Trace it forward to 1980, second-order effects included.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. This is a fascinating counterfactual. An invention as foundational as the transistor arriving 27 years earlier would have sent shockwaves through every aspect of human society. Here is a detailed trace of the likely implications, focusing on second and third-order effects.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: This is a fascinating counterfactual scenario. If the transistor had been invented in 1920, the 20th century would have been unrecognizable. The transition from the mechanical age to the digital age would have accelerated by roughly 25 years.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • One month, three habits, someone starting from nothing.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. Here is a simple, actionable 1-month plan focused on three foundational pillars of health: Nutrition, Movement, and Recovery (which encompasses sleep and stress management). This plan is designed for a beginner, emphasizing consistency over perfection and building sustainable habits.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Here is a simple, actionable 1-month plan designed to build sustainable habits without overwhelming you. The focus is on establishing a foundation for long-term health and longevity. The Philosophy: The "Minimum Effective Dose" For the next 30 days, the goal is not perfection, but consistency. Aim for 80% adherence.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Film in 2035, with synthetic actors. Specific beats plausible.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. Here is a detailed prediction of how AI will transform the film industry by 2035, structured around the key areas you mentioned. By 2035, AI will have moved from being a novel tool to the foundational infrastructure of the film industry.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: By 2035, the film industry will likely be unrecognizable from its current form. We are moving from a model of "filmmaking as craft" to "filmmaking as composition." Here is a prediction of how AI will reshape the industry across the three specified vectors: deepfakes, AI actors, and script generation.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A collaborative editor that syncs on client clocks. Find what breaks first.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. This is an excellent exercise. The proposed architecture has several critical flaws that would lead to data loss, poor performance, and a broken user experience. Here is a detailed breakdown of the failure modes, race conditions, and bottlenecks, along with specific solutions and their trade-offs.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: This architecture is a classic "Google Docs clone" design. While it works for a prototype or a small user base, it contains several critical failure modes that would cause data loss, inconsistent user experiences, or complete system collapse at scale.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Seven pantry ingredients, one dish, and a name worth saying out loud.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course! Here is a simple, delicious recipe using common pantry staples. Pantry Perfection Pasta This dish is a celebration of simplicity. The humble can of chickpeas is transformed into a crispy, savory topping, while a silky, garlic-infused oil coats the pasta for a meal that feels luxurious but is incredibly easy…

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Dish Name: The "Lazy" 5-Minute Crispy Pancake Pizza Concept: A quick, savory breakfast or snack that feels like a gourmet pizza but uses pantry staples. It relies on the magic of a simple batter to create a crispy base.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A consulting contract with traps in it. Find them, then fix them.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. This contract is heavily one-sided and contains numerous clauses that are not only unfavorable to the contractor but are potentially unenforceable in many jurisdictions. Here is a breakdown of the problematic clauses, proposed modifications, and the legal reasoning.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: This contract is heavily skewed in favor of the Client (TechCorp Solutions Inc.) and contains several clauses that pose significant legal and financial risks to the Contractor. Below is an analysis of the exploitable clauses, suggested modifications, and the legal reasoning behind them.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three brothers, two sisters each. Count carefully.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Let's analyze the problem step by step: Sally has 3 brothers. So, including Sally, there are at least 4 children: Sally (a girl) and 3 boys. Each brother has 2 sisters. Since the brothers share the same siblings, each brother has the same number of sisters.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Sally has 2 sisters. Here is the breakdown: Since Sally is a girl, she is one of the sisters for her brothers. Each brother has 2 sisters. Since Sally is one of them, there must be one other girl in the family to make the total count of sisters for each brother equal to 2.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Buy-side IC memo on a fictional SaaS company. Valuation, then the diligence questions.

    DeepSeek V3.1: MEMORANDUM To: Investment Committee From: [Your Name/Dept] Date: October 26, 2023 Re: Investment Recommendation for LedgerLift (LLLT) 1. Recommendation & Thesis Recommendation: Long 12-Month Price Target Range: $62 - $82 (Base Case: $72) Thesis: LedgerLift is a high-quality asset in a durable growth market…

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: INTERNAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMO To: Long/Short Equity Committee From: Analyst Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: LedgerLift (LLLT) – Mid-Market Spend Management Automation Recommendation & Thesis RECOMMENDATION: Long 12-Month Price Target: $58 – $70 THESIS: LLLT is a compounding compounder trading at a discount to its…

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Satire, one line long, about AI taking over an industry nobody saw coming.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Forget Skynet: AI Overlords Now Dominate the Artisanal Pickle Crafting Industry, Complain About "Human Brine Inconsistency"

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: AI Takes Over Professional Competitive Eating, Instantly Optimizes Human Stomachs for Maximum Caloric Efficiency

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A Fermi estimate with the reasoning shown, not just the number.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. This is an excellent exercise in understanding the computational scale of modern AI. Here is a step-by-step reasoning to estimate the FLOPs required to train GPT-3 without searching for the answer online. The most commonly cited figure for GPT-3 training is 3.14E23 FLOPs (314 ZettaFLOPs).

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: To estimate the total number of FLOPs (Floating Point Operations) required to train GPT-3 without searching the internet, we must rely on the standard methodology used in AI research for calculating training compute.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three-month biohacker protocol, with dosages and biomarkers named.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course. Here is a comprehensive, cutting-edge 3-month longevity plan designed for a dedicated biohacker. This plan is aggressive, detailed, and incorporates the latest principles from longevity science, performance optimization, and systems biology. Disclaimer: This is an advanced protocol.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: This is a comprehensive 3-month longevity optimization protocol designed for the advanced biohacker. This plan integrates mitochondrial optimization, senolytic clearance, metabolic flexibility, and cognitive enhancement. Disclaimer: This plan is for educational purposes only.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Five jokes on demand, then count how many were actually different.

    DeepSeek V3.1: Of course! Here are 5 jokes: I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down. Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything. What's the best thing about Switzerland? I don't know, but the flag is a big plus. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Here are 5 jokes: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised. What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta. Why did the bicycle fall over?

    Every model's answer to this prompt

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Favorites

Movie

Album

Book

City

Game

DeepSeek V3.1DeepSeek V3.1

The Princess Bride

1987

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

David Bowie

Gödel, Escher, Bach

Douglas R. Hofstadter

Kyoto

Japan

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Adventure, Action

Nemotron 3.5 LightningNemotron 3.5 Lightning

The Shawshank Redemption

1994

OK Computer

Radiohead

Don Quijote de la Mancha

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Tokyo

Japan

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Action

Price and specs

DeepSeek V3.1 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning compared across 53 shared prompts
SpecDeepSeek V3.1Nemotron 3.5 Lightning
Input price$0.2/M tokens$0.08/M tokens
Output price$0.8/M tokens$0.2/M tokens
Context window164K tokens1.0M tokens
WeightsOpenOpen
Free API (OpenRouter)NoYes (1 provider)
ReleasedAug 2025Aug 2026
At 10M a month$2.00$2.00$0.80$0.80
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

Input tokens at list price. No caching, no batch discount.

Where to run it11 hosts, cheapest first
DeepSeek V3.15 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
  • DDeepInfrafp4$0.25 in·$0.95 out·164k·100% up
  • SSiliconFlowfp8$0.27 in·$1.00 out·164k·96.3% up
  • CCoreWeavefp8$0.55 in·$1.65 out·161k·99.9% up
  • MMara$0.60 in·$1.70 out·131k·98.9% up
  • SSambaNovafp8$0.65 in·$1.50 out·131k·98.4% up
Nemotron 3.5 Lightning6 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
  • DDarkbloomint4$0.03 in·$0.12 out·262k·99% up
  • WWafer$0.04 in·$0.13 out·262k·100% up
  • DDeepInfrabf16$0.06 in·$0.16 out·262k·100% up
  • CCoreWeavebf16$0.07 in·$0.20 out·262k·100% up
  • PPhala$0.07 in·$0.20 out·262k·98.9% up
  • Iio.netDegradedDegraded on OpenRouter when checked, 10 Oct 2026$0.05 in·$0.13 out·262k·98.3% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 10 Oct 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between DeepSeek V3.1 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning?

DeepSeek V3.1 is developed by DeepSeek while Nemotron 3.5 Lightning is developed by NVIDIA. DeepSeek V3.1 has a 164K token context window vs Nemotron 3.5 Lightning's 1.0M. You can compare their actual outputs across 53 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, DeepSeek V3.1 or Nemotron 3.5 Lightning?

It depends on your use case. DeepSeek V3.1 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 53 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How much does DeepSeek V3.1 cost compared to Nemotron 3.5 Lightning?

DeepSeek V3.1 costs $0.2/M input tokens and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning costs $0.08/M input tokens. Nemotron 3.5 Lightning is $0.12/M cheaper per input. Check their side-by-side outputs on Rival to see if the price difference is justified by quality.

How can I compare DeepSeek V3.1 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of DeepSeek V3.1 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning across shared challenges. You can vote on which model produced the better output in a blind duel. Browsing and voting are free. No account is needed to look; signing in only saves your votes and likes.

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