Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B (non-reasoning)

High Intelligence, High Cost, Slow Speed

Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B (non-reasoning)

A powerful 70B instruction-tuned model from NVIDIA, offering high intelligence but at a premium price and slower inference speeds.

Open Source70B ParametersInstruction-tunedHigh IntelligenceHigh CostSlow Speed128k Context

The Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B model, developed by NVIDIA, emerges as a significant contender in the landscape of open-weight, non-reasoning large language models. Positioned with a substantial 70 billion parameters, this instruction-tuned variant demonstrates an impressive capacity for general intelligence, scoring 24 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index. This places it comfortably above the average for comparable models, indicating its strong performance across a broad spectrum of tasks.

However, its capabilities come with notable trade-offs. While its intelligence is a clear strength, Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B is characterized by its relatively high operational costs and slower inference speeds. With a blended price of $0.60 per 1M tokens for both input and output on Deepinfra, it sits at the more expensive end of the spectrum when compared to the average for similar models. Its output speed of 40 tokens per second is also considerably slower than many peers, which can impact real-time applications and throughput-sensitive workloads.

Despite these considerations, the model's 128k token context window and knowledge cutoff up to November 2023 provide a robust foundation for handling complex and lengthy prompts. Its open-source nature further enhances its appeal, offering flexibility for developers and researchers to fine-tune and deploy in diverse environments. The Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B is best suited for applications where high-quality, intelligent responses are paramount, and where the budget and latency constraints are less stringent, making it a powerful tool for specific, demanding use cases.

Scoreboard

Intelligence

24 (#15 / 33 / 70B)

Above average intelligence, scoring 24 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index.
Output speed

40 tokens/s

Notably slow, impacting real-time and high-throughput applications.
Input price

$0.60 per 1M tokens

Somewhat expensive compared to the average of $0.20/M tokens.
Output price

$0.60 per 1M tokens

Somewhat expensive compared to the average of $0.54/M tokens.
Verbosity signal

9.2M tokens

Generated 9.2M tokens during evaluation, indicating a tendency towards verbosity.
Provider latency

0.41 seconds

Moderate latency, contributing to overall slower response times.

Technical specifications

Spec Details
Owner NVIDIA
License Open
Context Window 128k tokens
Knowledge Cutoff November 2023
Parameters 70 Billion
Intelligence Index 24 (Rank #15/33)
Output Speed 40 tokens/s (Rank #17/33)
Latency (TTFT) 0.41 seconds
Input Price $0.60 per 1M tokens (Rank #25/33)
Output Price $0.60 per 1M tokens (Rank #20/33)
Verbosity 9.2M tokens (Rank #9/33)
Blended Price (3:1) $0.60 per 1M tokens

What stands out beyond the scoreboard

Where this model wins
  • High-Quality Outputs: Excels in tasks requiring nuanced understanding and comprehensive responses due to its strong intelligence score.
  • Complex Context Handling: Its 128k token context window allows for processing and generating very long and intricate documents or conversations.
  • Open-Source Flexibility: Being an open model, it offers greater control for fine-tuning and deployment in custom environments.
  • General Purpose Intelligence: A strong performer across a wide array of general language understanding and generation tasks.
  • Up-to-Date Knowledge: Knowledge cutoff of November 2023 ensures relevance for recent events and information.
Where costs sneak up
  • High Per-Token Cost: At $0.60/M tokens for both input and output, costs can accumulate rapidly with high-volume usage.
  • Slow Inference Speed: The 40 tokens/s output speed means longer wait times, potentially impacting user experience in interactive applications.
  • Increased Verbosity: Its tendency to generate more tokens (9.2M during evaluation) can lead to higher output costs than anticipated.
  • Latency for Real-time: A 0.41-second latency might be noticeable in applications requiring instant responses.
  • Throughput Limitations: Slower speed can limit the number of concurrent requests or overall data processed within a given timeframe, increasing operational costs for scaling.

Provider pick

Choosing the right provider for Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B involves balancing its high intelligence with its higher cost and slower speed. Deepinfra is currently a primary benchmarked provider, offering a consistent experience.

Priority Pick Why Tradeoff to accept
General Purpose Deepinfra Reliable access to a high-intelligence model. Higher cost and slower speed.
Cost-Conscious (Intelligence Focus) Deepinfra Best available option for this model, despite its price. Still relatively expensive for high volume.
Low Latency Applications Deepinfra Consistent latency, but not optimized for speed. May not meet strict real-time requirements.
High Throughput Needs Deepinfra Offers access, but model speed is a bottleneck. Throughput will be limited by the model's 40 tokens/s.
Development & Prototyping Deepinfra Easy API access for testing and integration. Cost can add up during extensive testing.

Note: Deepinfra is the primary provider benchmarked for Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B. Other providers may offer different pricing or performance characteristics not reflected here.

Real workloads cost table

Understanding the real-world cost implications of Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B requires considering its per-token pricing, verbosity, and typical usage patterns. Below are estimated costs for common scenarios, assuming Deepinfra's pricing of $0.60 per 1M tokens for both input and output.

Scenario Input Output What it represents Estimated cost
Scenario Input Output What it represents Estimated cost
Short Q&A 100 tokens 200 tokens Simple question and concise answer. $0.00018
Content Generation 500 tokens 1,500 tokens Generating a short blog post or product description. $0.00120
Document Summarization 5,000 tokens 500 tokens Summarizing a medium-length article. $0.00330
Long-form Article Draft 1,000 tokens 3,000 tokens Drafting a detailed article or report section. $0.00240
Code Generation/Review 200 tokens 800 tokens Generating a function or reviewing a code snippet. $0.00060
Extended Chat Session 2,000 tokens 4,000 tokens A longer, multi-turn conversation. $0.00360

While individual requests might seem inexpensive, the cumulative cost for Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B can quickly escalate, especially with high-volume, verbose, or long-context applications. Its higher per-token price means that optimizing prompt and response lengths is crucial for cost management.

How to control cost (a practical playbook)

Given Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B's premium pricing and slower inference, strategic cost management is essential. Here are key strategies to optimize your spend while leveraging its high intelligence.

Optimize Prompt Engineering

Crafting concise and effective prompts can significantly reduce input token count, directly impacting costs.

  • Be Specific: Provide clear instructions to minimize unnecessary output.
  • Few-Shot Learning: Use examples to guide the model, reducing the need for lengthy explanations.
  • Iterate & Refine: Experiment with prompt variations to find the most efficient one for your task.
Manage Output Verbosity

Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B can be verbose. Controlling output length is crucial for managing output token costs.

  • Set Max Tokens: Always specify a max_tokens parameter to cap response length.
  • Instructional Constraints: Include explicit instructions like "be concise," "limit to X sentences," or "provide only the answer."
  • Post-Processing: Consider trimming or summarizing model outputs if they are consistently too long for your needs.
Strategic Use for High-Value Tasks

Reserve this model for tasks where its superior intelligence truly adds value, rather than for simpler, routine operations.

  • Complex Reasoning: Ideal for tasks requiring deep understanding, nuanced generation, or intricate problem-solving.
  • Critical Content: Use for generating high-stakes content where quality cannot be compromised.
  • Hybrid Architectures: Pair with smaller, cheaper models for initial filtering or simpler tasks, then escalate to Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B for complex stages.
Batch Processing for Efficiency

While the model is slow, batching requests where possible can improve overall throughput efficiency, especially for non-real-time applications.

  • Queue Management: Implement a robust queuing system for requests.
  • Asynchronous Processing: Design your application to handle responses asynchronously, allowing for parallel processing of other tasks.
  • Scheduled Jobs: For large, non-urgent tasks, schedule them during off-peak hours to potentially leverage better resource availability.
Monitor and Analyze Usage

Regularly track your token consumption and costs to identify patterns and areas for optimization.

  • Cost Dashboards: Utilize provider dashboards to monitor spend.
  • Internal Logging: Log input/output token counts for each API call to analyze usage by feature or user.
  • Alerts: Set up alerts for budget thresholds to prevent unexpected cost overruns.

FAQ

What is Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B?

Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B is a large language model developed by NVIDIA, featuring 70 billion parameters. It is an instruction-tuned, open-weight model known for its high intelligence and a 128k token context window, with knowledge up to November 2023.

How does its intelligence compare to other models?

It scores 24 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, placing it above average among comparable models (average 22). This indicates strong performance across a wide range of general language tasks.

Is Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B expensive to use?

Yes, at $0.60 per 1M tokens for both input and output on Deepinfra, it is considered somewhat expensive compared to the average for similar models. Its verbosity can also contribute to higher costs.

What is its typical speed?

Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B has a median output speed of 40 tokens per second and a latency of 0.41 seconds. This makes it notably slower than many other models, which can affect real-time applications.

What is the context window size?

The model features a substantial 128k token context window, allowing it to process and generate very long and complex inputs and outputs, making it suitable for tasks requiring extensive context.

Who owns Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B and what is its license?

The model is owned by NVIDIA and is released under an open license, providing flexibility for developers and researchers to use and adapt it for various applications.

When should I choose Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B over other models?

You should consider Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B when your application demands high-quality, intelligent responses, requires a very large context window, and can tolerate higher costs and slower inference speeds. It's ideal for complex content generation, detailed analysis, or sophisticated conversational AI where accuracy and depth are prioritized.


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