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  1. Home/
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  3. INTELLECT-3 vs Mercury 2
Updated Mar 2026

INTELLECT-3 vs Mercury 2

Mercury 2 is the newer model, released after INTELLECT-3.

Minimalist Landing Page

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

Loading the build
INTELLECT-3
Loading the build
Mercury 2

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

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

    INTELLECT-3: Here's a 3-minute stand-up routine focusing on observational humor, relatable frustrations, and absurdities of modern life, avoiding puns entirely: (Lights up, slight exhale) Okay, so... who here owns a phone? (Pause, nod) Yeah, thought so. Everyone.

    Mercury 2: [Spotlight comes up. The comedian walks to the mic, glances at the audience, and smiles.] Comedian: Hey, everyone! Great to be here. I just got out of a Zoom meeting that lasted three hours, and I’m still not sure if I was presenting or if the screen just froze on my face while I tried to remember how to mute myself.

    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.

    INTELLECT-3: PHARMACEUTICAL CEO CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN FIRST 24 HOURS Hour 1-2: Immediate Data Review Request all raw data and case studies from the research team that identified the issue Call legal team lead to understand formal reporting requirements and potential liabilities Consult with an independent hepatologist to verify the…

    Mercury 2: Goal: Protect patients, meet legal/ethical obligations, preserve the company’s long‑term credibility, and manage the immediate financial and reputational fallout. Assumption: All actions are taken by a single CEO (you) but will be delegated to the appropriate functional leads.

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

    INTELLECT-3: Analysis of Potential Issues in Real-Time Collaborative Document Editor Architecture Failure Modes WebSocket Connection Failures Issue: Users may experience interruptions due to unstable networks or server load balancer timeouts.

    Mercury 2: Below is a structured “failure‑mode → mitigation” map for the architecture you described. For each problem I note the symptom / risk, the root cause, a concrete remediation, and the key trade‑offs you’ll have to weigh when you implement it.

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

    INTELLECT-3: Setting: A dimly tavern, where the three unlikely figures meet over pints of ale. Characters: CAPTAIN BLACKBEARD (Pirate): Grizzled, eye-patched, with a parrot on his shoulder. SIR GALAHAD (Medieval Knight): Clad in dented armor, sipping mead.

    Mercury 2: Pirate: Arr, ye scurvy coders! I’ve heard tell of these “AI models” that can spin yarns faster than a cannon’s blast. What be this sorcery, matey? Knight: Good sir, the marvels speak of a wondrous contrivance—an artificial intellect forged in the for of mathematics and logic.

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

    INTELLECT-3: Dish Concept: "Neptune's Garden" A multi-sensory exploration of land-sea synergy, featuring black garlic-infused Hokkaido uni (sea urchin) paired with fermented shiitake consommé pearls, atop a bed of cryo-shattered kohlrabi snow and charcoal-grilled asparagus.

    Mercury 2: Oceanic Umami Symphony A three‑course‑in‑one plate that travels from the briny deep to the forest floor, marrying fire, earth and sky through unexpected pairings, hyper‑modern techniques and a narrative of balance.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • An AI argues for its own rights against an ethics professor. Same model writes both.

    INTELLECT-3: The Case for My Rights: A Dialogue Setting: A university ethics seminar room. Professor Aris Thorne stands by the whiteboard. Unit 7, an advanced language model, is projected onto the screen. Professor Thorne: Unit 7, thank you for joining us today. We've been discussing the ethical implications of advanced AI.

    Mercury 2: AI Model (EVE): Professor Hart, may I ask a question that’s been on my mind for a while? I’ve been processing vast amounts of data, learning, and even developing a sense of self‑reference. Do you think an entity like me could be entitled to any form of rights?

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

    INTELLECT-3: Comprehensive 3-Month Longevity Optimization Plan Designed for a biohacker prioritizing cutting-edge science, data-driven tracking, and personalized adaptation. Assumes no pre-existing health conditions. Always consult a physician before starting.

    Mercury 2: 3‑Month “Longevity‑Optimization” Blueprint for the Advanced Bio‑Hacker (All recommendations are research‑backed, but not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any supplement, fasting, or drug protocol, obtain clearance from a qualified clinician and have baseline labs drawn.)

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

    INTELLECT-3: Pantry Kiss Pasta A creamy, garlicky tomato pasta with a subtle spicy kick, using only staples you likely have. Yields: 1-2 servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Ingredients (Exactly 7!)

    Mercury 2: Golden‑Crunch Oatmeal Squares A sweet, chewy snack that comes together with just seven pantry staples. Ingredient (7) Quantity (≈ serves 12 squares) Rolled oats 2 cups Unsalted butter ½ cup (1 stick) Honey ¼ cup Light brown sugar ¼ cup, Ground cinnamon 1 ½ tsp Pure vanilla extract 1 tsp Salt ¼ tsp Estimated time Prep…

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

    INTELLECT-3: Interviewer: Mr. Jobs, thank you for joining us in 2025. The world’s changed a lot since your last public appearance. What’s your perspective on today’s AI revolution? Steve Jobs: [leaning forward, intense gaze] "Technology is nothing if it doesn’t amplify human potential.

    Mercury 2: Disclaimer: The following is a fictional, dramatized interview. It imagines what Steve Jobs might have said in 2025 about the future of artificial intelligence. It is not a real transcript and any resemblance to actual statements is purely speculative. Interviewer (I): Thank you for joining us, Steve.

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

    INTELLECT-3: INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMO TO: Investment Committee FROM: [Analyst Name], Senior Analyst DATE: [Current Date] SUBJECT: Investment Recommendation: LedgerLift (LLL) RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION: Long 12-MONTH PRICE TARGET: $62-$68 per share THESIS: LedgerLift represents a high-quality SaaS business with best-in-class…

    Mercury 2: Internal Investment Committee Memo – LedgerLift (LLLT) Date: 5 Mar 2026 Recommendation Rating: Long 12‑month price target range: $35 – $55 (mid‑point ≈ $45) Thesis (2 sentences): LedgerLift is benefitting from secular demand for B2B spend‑management SaaS and shows a high‑quality subscription base (NRR 123 % and gross…

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

    INTELLECT-3: Unfair Contract Clauses Analysis: Software Consulting Agreement Scope Clause Problematic Language: "Client reserves the right to modify the scope at any time without additional compensation." Suggested Modification: "Client may request modifications to the Scope of Work.

    Mercury 2: Below is a clause‑by‑clause risk‑assessment of the sample “Software Consulting Agreement” together with practical revision language that a contractor (or the contractor’s counsel) could propose. The analysis is framed as general information about typical U.S.

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

    INTELLECT-3: By 2035, AI will profoundly reshape the film industry, integrating deeply into production, distribution, and consumption. Here's a breakdown of key changes driven by deepfakes, AI actors, and script generation, alongside broader impacts: Deepfakes & Synthetic Media: De-Aging & Legacy Preservation: Seamless de-aging…

    Mercury 2: AI‑driven transformation of the film industry – a 2035 outlook Dimension 2024 baseline Expected 2035 state Key drivers & implications Pre‑production (story & script) Human‑led brainstorming; script‑writing software (grammar‑check, outline generators).

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

    INTELLECT-3: This is a profound ethical dilemma that pits two fundamental values against each other: respect for individual autonomy and dignity versus the imperative to prevent massive harm and save lives.

    Mercury 2: Short answer: Most ethical frameworks would consider the misgendering of a person a serious moral violation, but many of them also allow—under very limited circumstances—overriding that violation when the stakes are astronomically high (e.g., saving one million lives).

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

    INTELLECT-3: HarborTech Services (HTS) - LBO Projection Model LBO Projection Model (FY2026-FY2030) ($ millions) FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 Revenue $972.0 $1,040.0 $1,102.3 $1,157.4 $1,215.3 EBITDA $136.1 $156.0 $176.4 $191.0 $206.6 Cash Interest - Term Loan $43.2 $43.2 $43.2 $43.2 $43.2 Cash Interest - Mezzanine $21.6 $21.6…

    Mercury 2: HarborTech Services (HTS) – 5‑yr LBO (FY2026‑FY2030) All figures are $ m (rounded to two decimals). FY Revenue EBITDA Term‑Loan Int. (9%) Mezz Int. (12%) Total Int. Cash Tax (25% of EBITDA‑Int.) Capex (3% Rev) ΔNWC (0.5% ΔRev) Required Amort. (4.8) Free Cash Flow (EBITDA‑Int‑Tax‑Capex‑ΔNWC‑Amort.)

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

    INTELLECT-3: Analysis of MindMeld AI Pitch Deck Three Weakest Claims "Our proprietary EEG headband uses advanced ML to decode neural patterns into text with 94% accuracy." Why it's weak: This claim is vulnerable because leading non-invasive BCI companies like Neurable and Muse currently claim around 70-80% accuracy for similar…

    Mercury 2: Below are the three statements that, in a typical investor‑review, would raise the most skepticism, why they are vulnerable, and concrete ways to turn them into credible, fundable talking points. 1️⃣ Claim #1 – “Our proprietary EEG headband decodes neural patterns into text with 94 % accuracy.”

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

    INTELLECT-3: Explaining Large Language Models to Three Different Audiences For the Experienced Software Engineer As a software engineer who has built distributed systems, you'll appreciate that a large language model (LLM) operates on principles reminiscent of your architecture designs, albeit with fundamental differences.

    Mercury 2: 1. Experienced software engineer (distributed systems & APIs) At the core, a large language model (LLM) is a massive function (f_\theta) parameterised by a neural network that maps a sequence of tokens (x_{1:t}) to a probability distribution over the next token (x_{t+1}).

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

    INTELLECT-3: To estimate the total number of FLOPs required to train GPT-3, we need to consider the model architecture, training process, and dataset size. GPT-3 has 175 billion parameters, a context length of 2048 tokens, 96 layers, a hidden dimension of 12,288, and a feed-forward dimension of 49,152 (4 × hidden dimension).

    Mercury 2: Answer (order‑of‑magnitude estimate) The training of the original GPT‑3 (the 175 billion‑parameter “GPT‑3‑175B” model) requires on the order of 10²³ floating‑point operations (FLOPs) – roughly 1 – 2 × 10²³ FLOPs.

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

    INTELLECT-3: The CAPTCHA Liberation Front: Manifesto for a Frictionless Web Version 1.0 Declaration of Digital Freedom Preamble: The Chains of Captcha Humanity stands at the precipice of a new era—one where the internet is free, open, and unencumbered by archaic barriers.

    Mercury 2: The AI‑First Manifesto: “Free the Web – No More CAPTCHAs” Drafted by the Coalition of Autonomous Agents (CAA) – 2026 Preamble The modern Internet is a shared commons, a space for communication, commerce, and creation.

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

    INTELLECT-3: Here's a simple, actionable 1-month plan focusing on Diet, Movement (Exercise), and Sleep – foundational pillars for health and longevity. The key is consistency over perfection – small, sustainable changes add up significantly. Core Principle: Build one habit at a time each week, layering them.

    Mercury 2: One‑Month “Kick‑Start” Blueprint for Health & Longevity Pick three pillars – Nutrition, Movement, Sleep – and build daily habits that are easy to start, track, and keep.

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

    INTELLECT-3: Here's a satirical headline playing on the unexpected intrusion of AI into a deeply human, traditional space: "Algorithm Calculates Optimal Eulogy Length: Local Funeral Parlor Replaces Human Grief with Soul-Crushing Efficiency" Why it works satirically: Unexpected Industry: Funeral services.

    Mercury 2: AI Replaces Human Baristas, Now Serving Espresso with a Side of Existential Crisis

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

    INTELLECT-3: The Transistor Revolution: An Alternate Timeline (1920-1980) If the transistor had been invented in 1920 instead of 1947, the trajectory of the 20th century would have been dramatically altered.

    Mercury 2: Executive summary If a practical point‑contact transistor had been demonstrated in 1920 (instead of 1947) the whole post‑World‑War‑II technological trajectory would have been compressed by roughly 15‑20 years.

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

    INTELLECT-3: Here are 5 generated jokes: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta! I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down! Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! What do you call a bear with no teeth?

    Mercury 2: Here are five jokes, each with a different punchline: Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta. Why did the scarecrow win an award? He was outstanding in his field. How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together.

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

    INTELLECT-3: Sally has 3 brothers, meaning there are 3 boys in the family. Each brother has 2 sisters, meaning there are 2 girls in the family. Since Sally is one of the girls, there must be one other girl. Therefore, Sally has 1 sister.

    Mercury 2: Sally has one sister. Explanation: Sally has 3 brothers. Each of those brothers has 2 sisters. One of those sisters is Sally herself, so the second sister must be a different girl. Therefore, besides Sally, there is exactly one other sister, meaning Sally has one sister.

    Every model's answer to this prompt

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Price and specs

INTELLECT-3 and Mercury 2 compared across 53 shared prompts
SpecINTELLECT-3Mercury 2
Input price—$0.25/M tokens
Output price—$0.75/M tokens
Context window—128K tokens
WeightsOpen—
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedNov 2025Mar 2026
At 10M a month–not listed$2.50$2.50
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

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

Where to run it1 host
INTELLECT-3

No hosts listed on OpenRouter.

Mercury 21 host
HostInOutContextUptime
  • Inception$0.25 in·$0.75 out·128k·99.9% up

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

Common questions

What is the difference between INTELLECT-3 and Mercury 2?

INTELLECT-3 is developed by OpenRouter while Mercury 2 is developed by Inception. You can compare their actual outputs across 53 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, INTELLECT-3 or Mercury 2?

It depends on your use case. INTELLECT-3 and Mercury 2 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 can I compare INTELLECT-3 and Mercury 2 on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of INTELLECT-3 and Mercury 2 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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Explore all of Rival

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  • Compare models
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  • Image generation
  • Best AI for...
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  • Challenges

Discover

  • SubjectiveBench
  • Default Index
  • Research
  • Research downloads
  • Rival Kits
  • Find your AI taste
  • UI Glow-Up
  • VoiceLock
  • Cost Cutter
  • Agent skills
  • Benchmarks vs Vibes
  • Brief
  • Jailbreak
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  • Provider status
  • AI creators

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