Overview
As the landscape of LLMs evolves, selecting the right model for coding tasks requires rigorous, empirical data. In this PeerLM evaluation, we examine the OpenAI: GPT-5.4 Mini vs Meta: Llama 4 Scout in a specialized suite focused on Coding Performance with 10 Evaluators. This comparative analysis highlights how these models handle complex instruction following and code accuracy under professional review.
Benchmark Results
The evaluation was conducted using a rigorous comparative ranking methodology. Each model was tested across identical prompts to ensure a fair assessment of their coding capabilities.
| Model | Overall Score | Accuracy | Instruction Following |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI: GPT-5.4 Mini | 7.57 | 7.57 | 7.57 |
| Meta: Llama 4 Scout | 2.43 | 2.43 | 2.43 |
Criteria Breakdown
Our assessment focused on two primary pillars: Accuracy and Instruction Following. The OpenAI: GPT-5.4 Mini demonstrated a significant lead in both categories, consistently producing code that adhered to requested patterns and functional specifications. Meta: Llama 4 Scout, while highly efficient, struggled to meet the high bar set by the evaluators for complex coding requirements within this specific test suite.
Cost & Latency
Understanding the economic and performance trade-offs is vital for production deployments. Below is a breakdown of the cost and latency metrics recorded during the execution of this suite.
- OpenAI: GPT-5.4 Mini: Cost per output token is $0.005501, with a total cost of $0.003548 for the run.
- Meta: Llama 4 Scout: Significantly more economical at $0.000421 per output token, with a total run cost of $0.000246 and an average latency of 231ms.
Use Cases
The OpenAI: GPT-5.4 Mini is currently the preferred choice for high-stakes coding environments where accuracy is paramount and error-correction costs are high. Conversely, the Meta: Llama 4 Scout offers a compelling value proposition for lightweight, high-volume tasks where latency and cost-efficiency are prioritized over peak reasoning capabilities.
Verdict
The OpenAI: GPT-5.4 Mini vs Meta: Llama 4 Scout comparison reveals a clear performance gap in coding tasks. While Meta: Llama 4 Scout provides superior cost-efficiency, OpenAI: GPT-5.4 Mini delivers the reliability and accuracy required for professional software development workflows.