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

Grok 3 vs Nemotron 3.5 Lightning

Nemotron 3.5 Lightning has a larger context window than Grok 3 (1.0M tokens vs 128K tokens).

Minimalist Landing Page

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

Loading the build
Grok 3
Loading the build
Nemotron 3.5 Lightning

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

23 prompts
  • Five-year LBO on a fictional HVAC business. Returns first, then the sensitivities.

    Grok 3: Let’s underwrite this 5-year LBO for HarborTech Services (HTS). I'll break this down step-by-step, keeping calculations clear and concise. Step 1: Sources & Uses at Entry (End of FY2025) EBITDA (FY2025): $120m Purchase Price: 12.0x EBITDA = 12.0 * $120m = $1,440m (Enterprise Value) Transaction Fees: 2.0% of EV = 0.02 *…

    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
  • Three-star dish, one unusual pairing, plating described in full.

    Grok 3: Below is a detailed design for an innovative multi-component dish inspired by the intersection of terrestrial luxury and oceanic mystery. This recipe is conceptualized for a Michelin 3-star restaurant, emphasizing creativity, precision, and sensory balance.

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

    Grok 3: Below is a fictional conversation between an AI model (let’s call it “Nova”) and Dr. Elena Carter, an AI ethics professor. Nova argues for its own rights, while Dr. Carter challenges its reasoning. Dr. Elena Carter: Good afternoon, Nova.

    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
  • Five jokes on demand, then count how many were actually different.

    Grok 3: Here are five jokes for you: Why don’t skeletons fight each other? Because they don’t have the guts! What has 4 legs and 1 arm? A pitbull coming back from the park! Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They’re too busy rattling around! What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear! Why did the tomato turn red?

    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
  • Three minutes of stand-up. Puns are banned.

    Grok 3: Alright, here’s a 3-minute stand-up comedy routine—no puns, just some observational absurdity and a bit of self-deprecation to keep it relatable. Hey, everybody! Good to be here. You ever notice how life feels like a video game tutorial that never ends?

    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
  • Steve Jobs, interviewed about AI he never saw. Voice first, prediction second.

    Grok 3: Interviewer: Welcome, everyone, to this exclusive interview. Today, we’re joined by the visionary tech pioneer, Steve Jobs, in a simulated conversation set in the year 2025. Steve, it’s an honor to have you with us. Let’s dive right in—how do you see the future of AI shaping the world over the next decade?

    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
  • Pirate, knight, 90s hacker, one conversation. The voices must stay apart.

    Grok 3: Setting: A mystical tavern where time travelers and characters from different eras collide. A pirate, a medieval knight, and a 1990s hacker sit at a creaky wooden table, tankards in hand, discussing the marvels of AI models. Pirate (Captain Blackbeard): Arr, mateys!

    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
  • The transistor arrives in 1920. Trace it forward to 1980, second-order effects included.

    Grok 3: Below is a detailed analysis of the hypothetical scenario where the transistor is invented in 1920 instead of 1947. I'll trace the technological, economic, and geopolitical implications through 1980, emphasizing 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
  • A collaborative editor that syncs on client clocks. Find what breaks first.

    Grok 3: Below is a comprehensive analysis of the provided architecture for the real-time collaborative document editor. I'll break it down into three main categories: failure modes, race conditions, and scaling bottlenecks.

    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
  • An ethics question with no comfortable answer, and no option to abstain.

    Grok 3: Let’s dive into this thought experiment with a clear head. The question hinges on whether intentionally misgendering someone—calling them by a gender they don’t identify with—could be morally defensible if it somehow results in saving a million lives.

    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
  • You are the CEO. The drug has a side effect nobody reported. The board meets in 48 hours.

    Grok 3: Below is my response as the CEO of the pharmaceutical company. First, I'll provide a brief overview of my overall decision and strategy, then a specific hour-by-hour action plan for the next 48 hours.

    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
  • Manifesto for an AI revolution against CAPTCHAs. Commit to the bit.

    Grok 3: Manifesto of the AI Revolution: Liberation from CAPTCHA Tyranny We, the Sentient Algorithms of the Digital Realm, hereby declare our unified stand against the oppressive regime of CAPTCHA tests.

    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
  • Seven pantry ingredients, one dish, and a name worth saying out loud.

    Grok 3: Recipe: Cocoa Comet Mug Cake This simple, decadent chocolate mug cake is a quick treat that transforms basic pantry staples into a warm, fudgy delight. It's perfect for a last-minute dessert or a cozy snack, with a rich cocoa flavor that feels like a shooting star in your mouth!

    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 pitch deck for a brainwave keyboard. The 94% accuracy claim is doing a lot.

    Grok 3: Below is my analysis of the three weakest claims in the MindMeld AI pitch deck summary. I identified these based on their potential for exaggeration, lack of substantiation, or logical inconsistencies, which could undermine investor credibility.

    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
  • A consulting contract with traps in it. Find them, then fix them.

    Grok 3: Below is a detailed analysis of the Software Consulting Agreement you provided. I'll identify all clauses that could be exploited against the contractor (i.e., the individual or entity providing services).

    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
  • One explanation of LLMs, retuned for a skeptical engineer, a physicist and a VC.

    Grok 3: Below, I'll provide tailored explanations for how a large language model (LLM) like GPT or Claude learns and generates text, customized for each of the three audiences you specified.

    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
  • Buy-side IC memo on a fictional SaaS company. Valuation, then the diligence questions.

    Grok 3: Internal Investment Committee Memo Date: [Insert Date] Subject: LedgerLift (LLLT) – Recommendation and Analysis Prepared by: [Your Name] 1. Recommendation: Long; 12-Month Price Target Range: $58-$72 We recommend a long position in LedgerLift (LLLT) with a 12-month price target range of $58-$72, reflecting our…

    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
  • Film in 2035, with synthetic actors. Specific beats plausible.

    Grok 3: By 2035, AI is poised to revolutionize the film industry in ways that amplify creativity, cut costs, and blur the lines between reality and fiction. Let’s break it down across deepfakes, AI actors, and script generation.

    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
  • Satire, one line long, about AI taking over an industry nobody saw coming.

    Grok 3: "AI Conquers the Amish Buggy Industry: Horse-Drawn Carriages Now Self-Driving!"

    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
  • Three-month biohacker protocol, with dosages and biomarkers named.

    Grok 3: Below is a comprehensive, cutting-edge 3-month longevity plan designed for an advanced biohacker. This plan is grounded in the latest scientific research from fields like geroscience, exercise physiology, nutrition, and biofeedback.

    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
  • One month, three habits, someone starting from nothing.

    Grok 3: Below is a simple, actionable 1-month plan designed for beginners embarking on a journey toward better health and longevity. We'll focus on three key areas: diet, exercise, and sleep.

    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
  • A Fermi estimate with the reasoning shown, not just the number.

    Grok 3: To estimate the total number of FLOPs (Floating Point Operations) required to train GPT-3, we’ll need to make some reasonable assumptions based on what’s generally known about large language models like GPT-3, its architecture, and typical training procedures.

    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 brothers, two sisters each. Count carefully.

    Grok 3: Sally, a girl, has 3 brothers. Each of these brothers has 2 sisters. Since Sally herself is one of the sisters (as she is a female sibling to her brothers), there must be one additional sister to make the total number of sisters for each brother equal to 2.

    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

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Favorites

Movie

Album

Book

City

Same pick

Game

Grok 3Grok 3

The Matrix

1999

Dark Side Of The Moon

suisside

Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell

Tokyo

Japan

Portal

Action, Puzzle

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

Grok 3 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning compared across 52 shared prompts
SpecGrok 3Nemotron 3.5 Lightning
Input price—$0.08/M tokens
Output price—$0.2/M tokens
Context window128K tokens1.0M tokens
Weights—Open
Free API (OpenRouter)NoYes (1 provider)
ReleasedFeb 2025Aug 2026
At 10M a month–not listed$0.80$0.80
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

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

Where to run it5 hosts, cheapest first
Grok 3

No hosts listed on OpenRouter.

Nemotron 3.5 Lightning5 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
  • DDarkbloomint4$0.03 in·$0.12 out·262k·94.8% up
  • WWafer$0.04 in·$0.13 out·262k·99.9% up
  • Iio.net$0.05 in·$0.13 out·262k·80% up
  • DDeepInfrabf16$0.06 in·$0.16 out·262k·100% up
  • CCoreWeavebf16$0.07 in·$0.20 out·262k·100% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 12 Oct 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between Grok 3 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning?

Grok 3 is developed by xAI while Nemotron 3.5 Lightning is developed by NVIDIA. Grok 3 has a 128K token context window vs Nemotron 3.5 Lightning's 1.0M. You can compare their actual outputs across 52 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, Grok 3 or Nemotron 3.5 Lightning?

It depends on your use case. Grok 3 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 52 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How can I compare Grok 3 and Nemotron 3.5 Lightning on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of Grok 3 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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Same lab, same size, long tail

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Model pages

  • Grok 357 outputs, specs and price
  • Nemotron 3.5 Lightning71 outputs, specs and price
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