anoek: anoek: Any thoughts on what some good limits / values would be?

Yes! I’d avoid using a 40b net at 800 playouts and instead suggest a 15b network at 1000 playouts or more. I set up a classic cross-board ladder below (joseki used: http://josekipedia.com/#path:peqcocqeqfpfoeqgrfrergqhpgofphrh):

40-block network 223 needs 1400 playouts to see that the ladder is good for White (>50% win rate):

40-block network 211 (OGS beta) actually fares better in this test. It needs 1200 playouts:

15-block network 202 (my link) does significantly better, kind of shockingly. It needs 900 playouts:

Based on this test, I feel that anything under 1000 playouts would be unreliable for reading ladders, and it sounds like playouts in excess of 1000 are only achievable using a network smaller than 40b. So I’d go with the linked 15b network (or its successor, when that comes).