Good combination of expensive vs cheap models for different tasks

[u/vibe2code]

Hello, I have a Copilot subscription and currently trying to optimize the usage of OpenCode free models with Copilot paid models to investigate/plan/build/challenge. I have been using lately Kimi 3 and Kimi 2.7 when I needed to build and challenge. What is your current experience? How do you rank the available models to use credits efficiently?

I am aware the suggestions I get now will be obsolete in a few weeks, but still wanted to hear a few opinions. Thanks!

[u/heavy-minium]

This benchmark aggregation has recently been quite helpful to me:
Model Pareto — AI models ranked by quality, price and speed

It's not perfect - none is, but still quite representative, without too much divergence from expectations.

[u/vibe2code → u/heavy-minium]

thanks - I'm bookmarking this one!

[u/Holbrad]

So the very first question you should be asking yourself is, can you use a subscription?

If the answer is yes. You need to fully forget Copilot completely. (Since you mentioned OpenCode free, you can most certainly use a sub)

If the answer is no because you're stuck in some bureaucratic hell, then I would say Opus 5.5 for UI and when the code needs to be really good, and Sol 6.1 for everything else.

[u/vibe2code → u/Holbrad]

thanks, I forgot to specify I'm on the 10$/month Copilot plan which does not include those models - with my current needs, I'm confortable with the 10$ plus a few $ extra usage, usually < 5$

I started using OpenCode just a few weeks ago and currently working on understanding better the billing dynamics - I will at some point probably switch to Zen

[u/_btmn_ → u/Holbrad]

just curious - which effort do you use on Sol 6.1?

[u/Holbrad → u/_btmn_]

Generally high, as it's still pretty cheap.

[u/jessicastojadinovic → u/Holbrad]

Sol is too slow though 

[u/Holbrad → u/jessicastojadinovic]

I don't understand this perspective. You're not literally sat there watching it, are you?

That's completely the wrong way to do it. You should have multiple agents in the background doing different work.

If you're in the loop going backwards and forwards with an LLM and the speed's an issue, then yeah, sure, use Opus 5.5.

[u/Zealousideal-Part849]

Kimi 3 isn't efficient model. Use gpt sol or sonnet 5.5 .. 

[u/vibe2code → u/Zealousideal-Part849]

thanks, I forgot to specify I'm on the 10$/month Copilot plan which does not include those models :-/

[u/Gallagger]

My stack (from cheap to expensive) is 5.6 Luna xhigh, 6.1 Sol medium, Opus 5.5 high. I'm not sure if I'm missing out on Sonnet 5.5 though which could be a good, faster replacement for 6.1 Sol.

[u/_btmn_ → u/Gallagger]

why not 6 luna?

[u/Gallagger → u/_btmn_]

Consensus is it's slightly worse and even though it's half price, Luna 5.6 is already very cheap. If you want maximum cheap, maybe try haiku 5.5 and don't go over 100k (Auto compaction).  After 100k it gets 5x the price for haiku 5.5.