Ships computer rating question

[Jak Nazryth]

This is probably a simple question that I will somehow make complex.
I've been reviewing a ship design that one of my players submitted for their adventure class ship. As a group everyone settled on a 300 ton design, with jump/maneuver/power rating of 3.
The person who submitted the design installed a model 4bis computer. Under rating he typed 25/30 and for cost he typed 15 mcr. Later he added all the software as additional cost.
Something is wrong here. I think he really wants to install a 5bis computer and simply mistyped "4" instead.
So here is my question. When you add "bis" to a computer (which is already more powerful than it's required rating for it's max jump, can you use the "extra 5" rating for other software? My thinking is no.
Having lots of extra "ranks" after jump programs is great, but I'm not sure that having a 5bis (or even 4bis) computer is necessary for a jump 3 ship.
I have always added "bis" to a computer that wasn't powerful enough for its maximum jump rating. But I've never considered it at all on a computer already large enough to do the job, with lots of ranks left over. Why add it unless you can use the extra 5 points elsewhere? The rating system already steps up 5/model level.
Any help please?
I have to finalize this ship by this Friday.
Thanks

 

[AndrewW]

Correct, the bis is only useful for running a jump program so in this case as a model/3 can run a jump-3 program there's no need for it.

25/30 and 15 MCr does sound like a model/5.

 

[locarno24]

Correct, the bis is only useful for running a jump program so in this case as a model/3 can run a jump-3 program there's no need for it.

Agreed. It's not like you'd ever be running anything simultaneously with Jump Control, and if you're not getting ready to jump then that program is flat-packed in the memory somewhere and doesn't affect the game. Only active programmes at any given time affect your rating.

 

[BFalcon]

Locarno: One exception - possibly using auto-gunnery controls while plotting a jump course? That's the only thing I can think of...

 

[DFW]

Locarno: One exception - possibly using auto-gunnery controls while plotting a jump course? That's the only thing I can think of...

That's astrogation pgm (doesn't take any CPU "slots"). Jump control s/w only runs when you engage the jump drive.

 

[BFalcon]

DFW: ah ok... I thought it was run for the astrogation part too... np

 

[Jak Nazryth]

Does not the jump sequence take the entire round? 6 minutes? So even if you "go first" don't the bad guys get one last shot before you slip into jump space? You finally "disappear" at the beginning of you next round? Or am I getting mongoose mixed up with GURPS traveller?
And if the attackers go first in the turn sequence I think the only thing you would do is shoot down missiles or run the evade program while running the jump sequence simultaneously.
It's an important thing if you're in a gun battle you can't win and are trying desperately to jump before your drives get hit. That's the only reason I can think of you need to run programs other than jump.

 

[DFW]

DFW: ah ok... I thought it was run for the astrogation part too... np

It could have been but, the rules mention astrogation program by name. I imagine that the Jump s/w is more CPU intensive as it deals with real-time info processing whereas astro s/w can plot a course ahead of time so doesn't.

 

[DFW]

Does not the jump sequence take the entire round? 6 minutes?

Making a Jump: Intelligence, 10–60 minutes, Routine (+2).

 

[Jak Nazryth]

Oh man.
Yeah, having left over "slots" to help defend yourself while jumping is very important!
But it is a complete waste of money to add "bis" to a computer that already has a higher rating than your highest jump.
So, a model 5 computer should be more than enough with a jump 3 ship. It will give you some options for helping fend off aggressors.

 

[DFW]

Yeah, having left over "slots" to help defend yourself while jumping is very important!
But it is a complete waste of money to add "bis" to a computer that already has a higher rating than your highest jump.
So, a model 5 computer should be more than enough with a jump 3 ship. It will give you some options for helping fend off aggressors.

Yep. That's why IMTU, the Type S replacement I designed has a Model 4 computer.

 

[Jak Nazryth]

model 4 = save(r) type s