GPT-4

Overview

GPT-4 represents OpenAI's most advanced language model family, combining sophisticated reasoning, broad knowledge, and multimodal capabilities. The GPT-4 family includes three main variants as of October 2025: GPT-4 (original), GPT-4 Turbo (optimized for cost and performance), and GPT-4o (multimodal with vision and lower latency). These models excel at complex tasks including advanced reasoning, mathematical problem-solving, code generation, creative writing, and image understanding. GPT-4o has become the default choice for most applications due to its superior cost-performance ratio and multimodal capabilities.

Model Variants (October 2025)

• GPT-4o: 128K context, vision, $2.50/1M input tokens, $10/1M output tokens
• GPT-4o-mini: Smaller, faster, $0.15/1M input, $0.60/1M output
• GPT-4 Turbo: 128K context, JSON mode, $10/1M input, $30/1M output
• GPT-4: Original 8K/32K context, $30/1M input, $60/1M output (legacy)
• GPT-4 with vision: Image understanding, $10-30/1M tokens depending on variant

Key Capabilities

• 128K token context window (approximately 300 pages of text)
• Multimodal: text, images, and vision understanding
• Advanced reasoning with chain-of-thought capabilities
• Strong performance on coding tasks (HumanEval: 67% GPT-4, 90% GPT-4 Turbo)
• Multilingual support for 50+ languages
• Function calling and JSON mode for structured outputs
• Fine-tuning available for GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo

Benchmarks & Performance

GPT-4 demonstrates exceptional performance across multiple benchmarks: 86.4% on MMLU (graduate-level knowledge), 67-90% on HumanEval (code generation), and exceeds 90th percentile on simulated bar exams. GPT-4 Turbo maintains similar capabilities with faster response times. GPT-4o achieves comparable accuracy with 50% lower cost and 2x faster latency, making it the preferred choice for production applications.

Use Cases

• Advanced chatbots and virtual assistants
• Code generation and software development assistance
• Document analysis and summarization
• Complex reasoning and problem-solving
• Content creation and creative writing
• Research assistance and knowledge synthesis
• Image analysis and understanding (GPT-4 with vision)
• Customer support automation

Technical Specifications

GPT-4 models use a transformer architecture with improved alignment through RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback). Context windows range from 8K (legacy) to 128K tokens (Turbo, GPT-4o). API rate limits vary by tier: Free tier (3 RPM), Pay-as-you-go ($5+ spend: 500 RPM), Scale tier (custom limits). Maximum output tokens: 4,096 for GPT-4, 4,096-16,384 for GPT-4 Turbo/GPT-4o. Temperature range: 0-2, with 0.7 recommended for balanced creativity.

Pricing (October 2025)

GPT-4o: $2.50 per 1M input tokens, $10 per 1M output tokens. GPT-4o-mini: $0.15 per 1M input, $0.60 per 1M output. GPT-4 Turbo: $10 per 1M input, $30 per 1M output. GPT-4: $30 per 1M input, $60 per 1M output. Fine-tuned models incur training costs ($8-30 per 1M tokens) plus inference premiums. Batch API offers 50% discount with 24-hour processing window.

Code Example

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(api_key="sk-proj-...")

# Basic GPT-4o usage
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o",
    messages=[
        {"role": "system", "content": "You are a helpful assistant."},
        {"role": "user", "content": "Explain quantum computing in simple terms."}
    ],
    temperature=0.7,
    max_tokens=500
)

print(response.choices[0].message.content)

# Function calling example
tools = [{
    "type": "function",
    "function": {
        "name": "get_weather",
        "description": "Get current weather",
        "parameters": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "location": {"type": "string"},
                "unit": {"type": "string", "enum": ["celsius", "fahrenheit"]}
            },
            "required": ["location"]
        }
    }
}]

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "What's the weather in London?"}],
    tools=tools
)

# Vision example with GPT-4o
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o",
    messages=[{
        "role": "user",
        "content": [
            {"type": "text", "text": "What's in this image?"},
            {"type": "image_url", "image_url": {"url": "https://example.com/image.jpg"}}
        ]
    }]
)

print(response.choices[0].message.content)

Comparison: GPT-4 vs GPT-4 Turbo vs GPT-4o

GPT-4o offers the best balance for most applications: 50% lower cost than GPT-4 Turbo, 2x faster responses, and multimodal capabilities. GPT-4 Turbo provides 128K context with JSON mode at mid-range pricing. Original GPT-4 is now legacy but still available. For budget-conscious applications, GPT-4o-mini offers 85-90% of GPT-4 quality at 6% of the cost. Choose GPT-4o for production, GPT-4 Turbo for large-context tasks, and GPT-4o-mini for high-volume, cost-sensitive workloads.

Professional Integration Services by 21medien

21medien offers expert GPT-4 integration services including API implementation, prompt engineering, RAG system development, function calling setup, and production deployment. Our team specializes in cost optimization, latency reduction, and building reliable GPT-4-powered applications. We provide architecture consulting, fine-tuning services, multi-model orchestration, and comprehensive testing strategies. Contact us for custom GPT-4 solutions tailored to your business requirements.

Resources

Official documentation: https://platform.openai.com/docs/models/gpt-4-and-gpt-4-turbo | API reference: https://platform.openai.com/docs/api-reference | Pricing: https://openai.com/pricing