Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Re: How strong will Star Sapphire be?

Author: Steven Schwartz

Date: 12:31:02 11/07/01

Go up one level in this thread


On November 07, 2001 at 14:24:25, Sally Weltrop wrote:

>On November 06, 2001 at 14:13:25, Christophe Theron wrote:
>
>>On November 06, 2001 at 13:59:41, O. Veli wrote:
>>
>>>Hello to all,
>>>
>>>  I have seen the following info about Star Sapphire:
>>>
>>>Advanced SH7034 RISC processor (1M ROM and 256K RAM) and High Speed 20MHz energy
>>>saving CMOS TECHNOLOGY including Hash Tables.
>>>
>>>  How comparable is the RISC processor with DragonBall used in Palms? Since we
>>>have already 33MHz Palms, and strong programs such as ChessTiger and ChessGenius
>>>for Palm, does Star Sapphire have a chance to claim to be world's strongest
>>>portable unit? Can RISC processor and/or 1M ROM add to its strength for the
>>>deficiency in speed? Thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>>I do not know how the SH7034 compares to the DragonBall.
>>
>>One thing I know is that you can FORGET ABOUT COMPARING THE MHz. It's
>>meaningless.
>>
>>The amount of ROM has no meaning either. I could use several Mb for Chess Tiger
>>for Palm if I wanted to, either for the program (code), the opening book, or the
>>hash tables. On some Palms I could use 16Mb.
>>
>>I do not know how the Star Sapphire will compare to Chess Tiger for Palm, but
>>I'm already almost certain that it will be washed away by PocketPC chess
>>programs like ChessGenius running on the iPaq.
>>
>>So its claim to be the world's strongest portable unit is bullshit.
>>
>>I have also received an ad today from ICD claiming its elo is between 2400-2550
>>elo. That must be expressed in BS elo (Baby School).
>
>What program is this by the way implemented in the portable?
>
>How old??
>
>I HIGHLY doubt it is 2400-2500! Where did they get this figure from??



I just sent an email off to Novag. Hopefully I will have a response
in a day or two. I asked who was responsible for the program (Dave
Kittenger or other).

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we based the rating on the Sapphire II.
It was our feeling that 50 to 100 points higher was a legitimate
minimal target. The 2550 was Novag's estimate. We like 2400 but anything
is possible before the machines are produced. Time will tell.

Also, keep in mind that I was wrong when I said that the Star Sapphire
had a 68EZ328. It actually has a SH7034 RISC processor. Since the incorrect
listing was from 2 years ago, the assumption is that it will be better
than first thought (at least by Novag).
Steve



This page took 0 seconds to execute

Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700

Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.