GPT-5.4 Fast mode often feels no faster than Standard, but still consumes credits at 2x

@GGBondBlueWhale on the bright side , its still a bit faster

@etraut-openai is right about not closing this issue

maybe the Pro plan should gain a different pool list

----

on the other hand see what openai faces recently , massive influx of new users / a lot of people check it out now

1. the user complains of the 2x rates ,, and ask by not keep a continuing progress an chart based on the 0,4~ speed diffrences rate

1x = normal (baseline) speed → you pay the normal rate (let's call it 1x cost).
The 2x pool is the maximum speed boost allowed (you can't go faster than 2x).
If you choose a speed of 1.2x, you get charged 0.2x extra (i.e. total 1.2x the normal cost).

<img width="806" height="622" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7bc0cbf6-ec75-4c51-87b2-3054d438c69f" />

The pricing formula for dynamic speed:

\[
C(s) = C_0 \times s \quad \text{for} \quad 1 \leq s \leq 2
\]

where \( s \) is the chosen speed multiplier and \( C_0 \) is the baseline cost at 1x speed.

Extra charge:
\[
\text{Extra} = C_0 \times (s - 1)
\]

def calculate_cost(s: float, C0: float = 1.0) -> dict:
    """
    Calculate cost based on chosen speed multiplier.
    
    Parameters:
        s  : Chosen speed multiplier (must be between 1.0 and 2.0)
        C0 : Baseline cost at 1x speed (default = 1.0)
    
    Returns:
        Dictionary with cost details
    """
    if not 1.0 <= s <= 2.0:
        raise ValueError("Speed multiplier 's' must be between 1.0 and 2.0")
    
    total_cost = C0 * s
    extra_charge = C0 * (s - 1)
    
    return {
        "chosen_speed": s,
        "baseline_cost": C0,
        "total_cost": round(total_cost, 4),
        "extra_charge": round(extra_charge, 4),
        "speed_description": f"{s}x speed"
    }


# Example usage:
if __name__ == "__main__":
    print("Dynamic Speed Pricing Examples:\n")
    
    for speed in [1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0]:
        result = calculate_cost(speed, C0=10.0)   # assume baseline cost is $10
        print(f"Speed: {result['chosen_speed']}x")
        print(f"  Total Cost   : ${result['total_cost']}")
        print(f"  Extra Charge : ${result['extra_charge']}")
        print(f"  Baseline     : ${result['baseline_cost']}\n")
````

@Mahkhmood9, please stop spamming our issue tracker.

I’ve had the same experience — Fast Mode only increases token usage.

I've had the same experience, the reason i used codex is that its fast, now that they included fast mode, it feels like regular speed back when it was march. except that they have increased the token usage.

Same - in fast mode it took around 10 mins just to write an MD file