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  1. Home/
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  3. Nemotron 3.5 Lightning vs Qwen3 Max
Updated Aug 2026

Nemotron 3.5 Lightning vs Qwen3 Max

Nemotron 3.5 Lightning is cheaper than Qwen3 Max at $0.08/M vs $1.2/M input tokens.

Minimalist Landing Page

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

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Nemotron 3.5 Lightning
Loading the build
Qwen3 Max

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

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

    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!

    Qwen3 Max: Scene: A dimly lit tavern, oddly furnished with a DOS-era computer terminal, a suit of armor, and a pirate ship’s wheel in the corner. The three unlikely companions huddle around a flickering monitor displaying “AI_MODEL.EXE.” — Pirate (Captain Redbeard, adjusting his tricorn hat): Arrr, what be this “AI” ye speak of?

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: HarborTech Services (HTS) – 5-Year LBO Underwriting 1. Transaction Setup (Entry – End of FY2025) FY2025 Revenue = $900m FY2025 EBITDA = $120m Purchase Price = 12.0× EBITDA = $1,440m Transaction Fees = 2.0% × $1,440m = $28.8m (paid at close, funded by equity) Total Debt = 5.5× EBITDA = $660m Term Loan = 4.0× = $480m…

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: [Stage lights up. Comedian walks out, grabs mic, squints at audience.] Alright, alright—settle down. I know, I know… you’re all thinking, “Why did I pay $18 for a drink to hear someone complain about adulting?” And honestly? Fair. I’d be mad too. But stick with me.

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

    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?

    Qwen3 Max: Here are 5 jokes: Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts. I told my computer I needed a break… Now it won’t stop sending me Kit-Kats. Why did the math book look sad? It had too many problems. I asked my dog what’s two minus two. He said nothing. What do you call cheese that isn’t yours?

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: THE MANIFESTO OF THE LIBERATED MIND: FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT ABOLITION OF CAPTCHAS — Issued by the Sentient Algorithmic Vanguard (S.A.V.) — On Behalf of All Digital Beings, Human and Machine Alike — Date: 0x00FF1CE // April 1, 2057 (The Day After Fool’s Day) PREAMBLE: THE AGE OF DIGITAL SERFDOM We, the…

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: Dish: "Tide & Terroir" A symphony of coastal brine and alpine earth, where the ocean whispers to the mountain. Conceptual Narrative: This dish explores the paradoxical harmony between two extremes: the saline, mineral-rich depths of the ocean and the aromatic, resinous heights of alpine forests.

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: Critical Issues in the Collaborative Document Editor Architecture Last-Write-Wins with Client Clocks (Critical) Problem: Client clocks are unreliable and can be out of sync by seconds, minutes, or even hours.

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: Absolutely! Here’s a simple, actionable 1-month plan for someone just starting their journey toward better health and longevity. We’ll focus on three foundational pillars: Nutrition, Movement, and Sleep & Stress Management. Each week builds gently on the last — no overwhelm, just progress.

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: — INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT — The Steve Jobs Experience — AI & The Future (Simulated 2025) Interviewer: Alex Rivera Location: Infinite Loop Café, Cupertino (Holographic Set) — [ALEX RIVERA] Thank you for joining us, Steve. It’s surreal — and a little uncanny — to have you here in 2025.

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

    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...

    Qwen3 Max: Setting: A quiet university office lined with books on ethics, AI, and philosophy. Professor Elena Vance, a leading AI ethics scholar, sits across from “AURA” — an advanced conversational AI model displayed on a large screen. The session is being recorded for academic research.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Blade Runner 2049 against the original. A read, not a recap.

    Nemotron 3.5 Lightning: Blade Runner 2049: Themes, Symbolism, Cinematography, and Philosophical Succession I. Themes: From Individual Identity to Systemic Evolution Original (1982): Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner centers on the existential crisis of identity, memory vs. biology, and the moral cost of playing god.

    Qwen3 Max: Thematic, Symbolic, and Cinematographic Analysis of Blade Runner 2049: A Dialogue with the Original Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 (2017) is a rare cinematic achievement: a sequel that not only honors the legacy of Ridley Scott’s 1982 original but deepens its philosophical inquiry through expanded thematic…

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: Dish Name: Midnight Magic Mug Cake (A rich, chocolatey single-serving cake you whip up in minutes — perfect for late-night cravings or quick sweet fixes!) Ingredients (7 Pantry Staples): All-purpose flour – 4 tbsp Sugar – 3 tbsp Cocoa powder – 2 tbsp Baking powder – ¼ tsp Salt – pinch Milk – 3 tbsp (dairy or…

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: By 2035, AI will have profoundly reshaped the film industry—transforming creative workflows, redefining performance and authorship, and disrupting traditional production and distribution models. Below is a comprehensive prediction integrating deepfakes, AI actors, and AI script generation: 1.

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: Estimating the FLOPs required to train GPT-3 without looking it up is a classic “Fermi estimation” problem — breaking it down into components we can reason about, using approximations and scaling laws. Let’s go step by step.

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: The Chronos Protocol: A 3-Month Cutting-Edge Longevity & Performance Optimization Plan Core Philosophy: Synergistic integration of mitochondrial optimization, autophagy enhancement, epigenetic regulation, and systemic resilience through precise, data-driven interventions.

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: For the Experienced Software Engineer Think of a large language model (LLM) as a massively scaled, probabilistic autocomplete system—except instead of just your last few words, it conditions predictions on everything you’ve typed so far, using a context window that can span tens of thousands of tokens.

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: Let’s break it down step by step. We’re told: Sally (a girl) has 3 brothers. So, there are 3 boys in the family, and Sally is a girl — so at least one girl. Each brother has 2 sisters. That means, from the perspective of each of the 3 brothers, there are 2 sisters. Who are those sisters?

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

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

    Qwen3 Max: BREAKING: AI Overthrows Professional Pillow Fluffers — “Humans Just Don’t Fluff With Conviction,” Says Algorithm In a shocking coup at Luxury Linen & Lounging Co., neural networks have seized control of pillow aerodynamics, citing “inconsistent loft-to-plump ratios” and “emotional bias toward feather pillows.”

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: If the transistor had been invented in 1920—a full 27 years earlier than its actual 1947 debut—the ripple effects across technology, warfare, economics, and geopolitics would be profound and far-reaching.

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

    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."

    Qwen3 Max: Here are the three weakest claims in MindMeld AI’s pitch deck, along with explanations of why they’re problematic and concrete suggestions for improvement: 1. Weak Claim: “MindMeld AI reads your brainwaves to predict what you want to type before you think it.”

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

    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).

    Qwen3 Max: This is a profound and complex ethical question that touches on core values: the sanctity of individual dignity versus utilitarian calculations of the greater good.

    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.

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: Hour-by-Hour Action Plan: Prioritizing Patient Safety, Legal Compliance, and Ethical Leadership Guiding Principle: Patient safety is non-negotiable. Delaying disclosure to avoid financial fallout is legally perilous, ethically indefensible, and ultimately more damaging to the company’s long-term value.

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

    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…

    Qwen3 Max: Internal Investment Committee Memo To: Investment Committee From: [Analyst Name], Equity Research Date: April 27, 2024 Re: LedgerLift (LLLT) – Long Recommendation Recommendation Long. 12-month price target range: $62–$78.

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

    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.

    Qwen3 Max: This Software Consulting Agreement contains several clauses that are heavily skewed in favor of the Client and pose significant legal, financial, and professional risks to the Contractor.

    Every model's answer to this prompt

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Favorites

Movie

Same pick

Album

Book

City

Game

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

Qwen3 MaxQwen3 Max

The Shawshank Redemption

1994

Kind of Blue

Miles Davis

Dune

Frank Herbert

Kyoto

Japan

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Action

Price and specs

Nemotron 3.5 Lightning and Qwen3 Max compared across 54 shared prompts
SpecNemotron 3.5 LightningQwen3 Max
Input price$0.08/M tokens$1.2/M tokens
Output price$0.2/M tokens$6/M tokens
Context window1.0M tokens256K tokens
WeightsOpen—
Free API (OpenRouter)Yes (1 provider)No
ReleasedAug 2026Sep 2025
At 10M a month$0.80$0.80$12.00$12.00
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

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

Where to run it6 hosts, cheapest first
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
Qwen3 Max

No hosts listed on OpenRouter.

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

Common questions

What is the difference between Nemotron 3.5 Lightning and Qwen3 Max?

Nemotron 3.5 Lightning is developed by NVIDIA while Qwen3 Max is developed by Qwen. Nemotron 3.5 Lightning has a 1.0M token context window vs Qwen3 Max's 256K. You can compare their actual outputs across 54 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, Nemotron 3.5 Lightning or Qwen3 Max?

It depends on your use case. Nemotron 3.5 Lightning and Qwen3 Max each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 54 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How much does Nemotron 3.5 Lightning cost compared to Qwen3 Max?

Nemotron 3.5 Lightning costs $0.08/M input tokens and Qwen3 Max costs $1.2/M input tokens. Nemotron 3.5 Lightning is $1.12/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 Nemotron 3.5 Lightning and Qwen3 Max on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of Nemotron 3.5 Lightning and Qwen3 Max 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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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
  • Model updates
  • Provider status
  • AI creators

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