OpenAI’s new Astra Ultrafast tier costs 6× Standard.
That doesn’t mean your workflow finishes 6× faster.
Tool calls, network waits and everything outside generation still consume time.
The test I’d use:
extra dollars ÷ seconds actually saved
Run the same workload at equal output quality. If the time saved isn’t worth the premium, stay on Standard.
Don’t pay for tokens/second. Pay for time actually removed.
That doesn’t mean your workflow finishes 6× faster.
Tool calls, network waits and everything outside generation still consume time.
The test I’d use:
extra dollars ÷ seconds actually saved
Run the same workload at equal output quality. If the time saved isn’t worth the premium, stay on Standard.
Don’t pay for tokens/second. Pay for time actually removed.