OpenAI Model Guide (When to Use Which One?)

OpenAI has published a practical guide explaining when to use which model.

GPT-4o

• “Ideal for everyday tasks.”
• Can work with different formats like images, documents, audio, video, and CSV files.

Use cases: Brainstorming, email writing, content creation. Example prompt: “Break down these meeting notes into action items.”

GPT-4.5

• “Perfect for creative and human-centered writing tasks.”
• Excels in texts requiring emotional tone, storytelling, and empathy.

Example prompt: “Write a viral tweet about the future of artificial intelligence.”

OpenAI o4-mini

• “For quick and simple technical tasks.”
• Ideal for STEM questions, extracting information from CSVs, and debugging.

Example prompt: “Fix this Python error.”

OpenAI o4-mini-high

• “For deeper technical tasks.”
• Slower than o4-mini but more detailed.

Example prompt: “Solve this equation step by step.”

OpenAI o3

• “Best for complex and multi-step tasks.”
• Powerful for strategy, analysis, and advanced planning.

Example prompt: “Prepare a business strategy for a new market.”

OpenAI o1 Pro Mode

• (A $200/month option for tasks requiring high accuracy)
• Makes a difference in high-risk tasks like legal texts, in-depth reports, and financial models.

Example prompt: “Write a report summarizing new technologies in healthcare.”

🧠 In Summary

• GPT-4o: Everyday tasks
• GPT-4.5: Creative texts
• o4-mini: Quick technical solutions
• o4-mini-high: Deep technical tasks
• o3: Complex planning
• o1 Pro: Critical and sensitive analyses

Ref: hprzeka - X