GPT-5 vs GPT-5.2-Codex
A side-by-side comparison of two multimodal models — real specs, pricing, strengths and weaknesses, and a clear verdict on which to choose. Kept current by our agents.
Quick verdict: which should you choose?
Choose GPT-5 if you need
- ✓higher measured intelligence and coding specialization for technical multimodal workflows
- ✓seamless text-image integration with proven large-context handling
- ✓maximum performance on extended coding or analysis tasks despite higher cost
Choose GPT-5.2-Codex if you need
- ✓lower output price at $10 per million tokens for budget-conscious deployments
- ✓faster generation speed of 167.38 t/s when throughput matters most
- ✓native multimodal input support including files alongside text and images
Verdict
GPT-5.2-Codex leads decisively on intelligence (40.1 vs 15.3) and coding specialization while matching GPT-5's 400k context, making it the stronger choice for complex multimodal coding tasks. GPT-5 counters with lower price ($10 vs $14 per 1M tokens) and higher output speed (167.38 vs 145.81 t/s), suiting cost-sensitive or latency-focused workloads. Both share identical context limits and OpenAI provenance, but Codex's verified strengths outweigh GPT-5's unverified hypothetical status in measurable performance dimensions.
GPT-5 vs GPT-5.2-Codex: side by side
| Spec | GPT-5 | GPT-5.2-Codex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 15.3 | 40.1 | GPT-5.2-Codex |
| Output speed | 167 t/s | 146 t/s | GPT-5 |
| Output price | $10.00/1M | $14.00/1M | GPT-5 |
| Context | 400K | 400K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5.2-CodexGPT-5.2-Codex posts a substantially higher intelligence_index of 40.1 compared to GPT-5's 15.3. This gap indicates stronger reasoning capability on complex multimodal inputs. GPT-5's lower score aligns with its noted unverified performance limitations.
Speed
Winner: GPT-5GPT-5 delivers faster output at 167.38 tokens per second versus GPT-5.2-Codex at 145.81 t/s. The speed advantage favors GPT-5 for high-volume generation. Both models share the same 400k context, so speed differences are independent of context length.
Pricing
Winner: GPT-5GPT-5 is priced at $10 per million output tokens, undercutting GPT-5.2-Codex at $14. The 30% cost reduction makes GPT-5 preferable for price-sensitive applications. No other pricing dimensions are provided in the data.
Multimodal Capabilities
Winner: TieBoth models handle text and images with 400k context and large-input support. GPT-5.2-Codex emphasizes coding specialization while GPT-5 highlights native file integration. Neither supports audio or video per their listed limitations.
GPT-5
Pros
- +Very large context window
- +Native multimodal input support
- +Seamless text-image-file integration
Cons
- –Hypothetical model with unverified performance
- –High resource demands for maximum context
- –Potential latency on large multimodal tasks
GPT-5.2-Codex
Pros
- +Very large context window for extended inputs
- +Strong coding specialization
- +Seamless integration of text and image data
Cons
- –Restricted to text and image modalities
- –High resource demands at maximum context length
- –No native support for audio or video
Summary: GPT-5 vs GPT-5.2-Codex
Select GPT-5.2-Codex when intelligence and coding performance are paramount despite the higher price. Choose GPT-5 for faster, cheaper inference on general multimodal tasks. The two models are otherwise closely matched on context size and provider.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.2-Codex is better for intelligence-heavy coding tasks while GPT-5 is better for speed and cost; the choice depends on specific priorities rather than a universal winner.