01What is ChatGPT Ultrafast and how it works
ChatGPT Ultrafast is a new speed mode for GPT Astra 6 that makes the model run eight times faster than standard and four times faster than Astrafast. It is designed for users who need quick results, like when building websites or 3D worlds.
In this episode, Julian Goldie explains that Ultrafast is not a separate model but a performance setting within ChatGPT. You select it after choosing the Astra 6 model, and it processes prompts much faster. However, this speed comes with a trade-off: it uses more tokens, so you need to be mindful of your usage.
02Key features of ChatGPT Ultrafast
ChatGPT Ultrafast offers several important features that make it stand out:
- It is eight times faster than the standard GPT Astra 6 speed.
- It is four times faster than the Astrafast option.
- It works with the GPT Astra 6 model, which you can select in the model picker.
- It is available in ChatGPT, the API, and Codex, with plans to come to GPT 6.1 soon.
- It maintains the same quality as standard Astra 6, according to official claims, but Julian's tests suggest otherwise.
This speed is useful for tasks like building websites or 3D environments, where you want quick results. However, the token usage is higher, so it is not ideal for every chat.
03How to set up ChatGPT Ultrafast
Setting up ChatGPT Ultrafast is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Upgrade to the ChatGPT Pro 500 plan, which is required for Ultrafast.
- Go to ChatGPT.com and log in.
- Click on the model selector (it may not be obvious, so hover over it).
- Select the Astra model from the list.
- Look for the speed options and choose Ultrafast.
- Enter your prompt and run it to see the speed difference.
Once you have selected Ultrafast, it will apply to your current chat. Remember to switch back to a slower mode if you don't need the speed, to save tokens.
04How to use ChatGPT Ultrafast with examples
In the episode, Julian used ChatGPT Ultrafast for various tasks. He took a prompt from the Claude Sonnet 5.5 design playbook and ran it in Ultrafast mode. The goal was to build a 3D planet world, a 3D website, and a 3D mega city.
For the 3D planet world, it took 5 minutes and 39 seconds to complete, which Julian thought was fast. He also tested editing by giving it a task, but the result was not as good as Claude's output.
To use it, simply type your prompt and let it run. You can monitor the progress in the background. Julian also compared it to Claude Sonnet 5.5, noting that Claude produced better designs and details.
He emphasized that Ultrafast is fast but not necessarily worth it if you need high quality.
05Performance tests and quality comparison results
Julian tested ChatGPT Ultrafast on several projects. For a 3D planet world, it took 5 minutes 39 seconds. A 3D website came out basic, and a 3D mega city took 7 minutes but had navigation issues.
He compared the outputs to Claude Sonnet 5.5 and Claude Opus 5.5. Julian said the quality was 'nowhere near as good' as Opus 5.5, even with the same prompt. He also noted that the Ultrafast mode may not degrade quality, but the Astra 6 model itself seems weaker than Claude models.
Overall, Julian concluded that while Ultrafast is fast, the quality gap with Claude makes it not worth for him. He suggested that if Astra 6.1 improves, it might become more viable.
06Tips, limits, and mistakes to avoid with ChatGPT Ultrafast
There are some important things to keep in mind when using ChatGPT Ultrafast. First, be careful not to leave it on all the time. If you start a new chat and don't need the speed, switch back to a normal mode to save tokens.
Second, be aware that Ultrafast uses more tokens because it processes faster. This can increase your usage costs, so monitor your plan.
Third, know that quality may not be the same as other models. Julian found that Claude Opus 5.5 and Claude Sonnet 5.5 produced better designs and details.
Finally, expect faster results but not necessarily perfect ones. Some outputs may be buggy, like the 3D world that ended abruptly.
07Who should use ChatGPT Ultrafast and why it matters
ChatGPT Ultrafast is for users who prioritize speed over absolute quality. If you need quick prototypes, drafts, or edits, it can save time. It is especially useful for building websites or 3D scenes where you want to see results fast.
However, if you are a professional designer or developer who needs polished output, you might prefer Claude models. Julian's take is that Ultrafast is not worth it for him because of the quality difference.
That said, the speed is remarkable. As more models like GPT Astra 6.1 improve, Ultrafast could become more valuable. For now, it is a trade-off between speed and quality, and you must decide what matters more for your tasks.
