Is it better a big factory complex, or several smaller ones?

[dmansail]

For ex, a Big factory with the ability to make hull parts with only ore and mathane supply , or 3 smaller factories to do the same job ? ( 1 refined metal - 1 graphene - 1 hull parts)

[Bazooka]

5 refined metal, 1 graphene, 9 hull parts. big one.
your game :)

[Colmaniac]

I build massive ones, that only use specific raw materials so I can add different types of modules that use those types, for food and medical supplies are just 1 separate station then just use a couple of freighters to supply, later ill add the others like space weed & space fuel as they use the same ingredient`s, I did try and combine several large stations that did multiple wares, but logistics became a nightmare, Producing a set amount of different wares to transport to other manufacturing stations is a bit easier, having said that, some wares use basic raw`s so I just add a refiner to that station and add minors to it, this also helps cut down on transporting.

[Inquisitor Pinky]

This is less a ingame question and more a question what kind of PC you have. The bigger the station, the more computational resources are needed.

It also takes a lot longer to build a Gigastation, then building multiple small stations. So from personal experiance: If you have a beefy enough Rig, go for Gigastations. If you don't want to play with 3 FPS, go for multiple smaller ones.

[dmansail]

I think that a big station that has all the staff will save Docking expenses and transport time. The question is if the manager will cope with all that load ? ( This game requires anyway a very good pc)

[Wraith]

It definitely won’t save you docking expenses as the amount of piers can be pretty wild

Transport time however is good

[jojorne]

In my opinion, the small specialized ones are better for several reasons, but ultimately it doesn't matter. The big ones, once up and running, will probably outperform the smaller ones, but you wasted a lot of time building it.

[Captain Canard]

Originally posted by Inquisitor Pinky:

This is less a ingame question and more a question what kind of PC you have. The bigger the station, the more computational resources are needed.

IIRC, the OP is debating building separate stations for each product (like the game does), or combining all these small stations into one structure. I would assume a single structure would be MORE efficient rather than less, since you don't need to duplicate things docking bays, while also needing less storage and housing. You also eliminate all the ship traffic moving between separate smaller stations.

So for example, if you want a ship production station that basically takes ores and sun and spits out ships, you combine all the production modules in a chain from ores to ship in one station, so all that station needs for supplies is the ores (sun is free). Yes, it's a bigger station, but in theory it's still smaller than building all these production lines as separate stations. The only downside I see is a HUGE upfront cost needed in supplies. I want to try it myself someday, but it'll be a long time before I'm that rich.

[db48x]

At the scale you are talking about it honestly won’t matter at all which you do.

[dmansail]

You can build it gradually , start with the basics and slowly work the ladder up to the SM bay. The factory will make the money and the wares to build it. I started with 2 goals 1st Hull parts 2nd Clayctronics ,since are the base for everything. That cost me a bit but after the factory was building it self and making money from excess wares....the only thing that you will need also is the large docking bays for 8 or 10 M ships.

[SinisterSlay]

mega station definitely, but don't build it on your HQ or your supply lines break down when you move it around.

[Vash]

I typicaly use several large stations that cover entire sections of resource usage.
2 stations that cover the basic resources ( 1 gasses refinery - 1 ore processing )
1 for hull parts, quantum tubes, plasma conductors
1 general electronics factory - microchips, smart chips, advanced electronics, scanning array
1 weapons plant
claytronics and engine components each have they're own stations.

The only down side is the necessary ship naming management, and the ship spam on your map but this allows me to cover all of galaxys needs where there is a need, and/or just have them for myself and my own shipyard.

[Meme Turtle]

Originally posted by dmansail:

For ex, a Big factory with the ability to make hull parts with only ore and mathane supply , or 3 smaller factories to do the same job ? ( 1 refined metal - 1 graphene - 1 hull parts)

What's better: to have more ships that lag your PC and require constant micromanagement due to bad AI or to have fewer of these? There is your answer.

[trooperrob]

separate stations - build faster, build rep as trade externally,
I build some large stations, but also small stations based on minimal inputs (3 things using just one ore and gas if possible for example), claytronics, hull parts factory (station build supply). I think that can also be used to supply aux/carriers on closed loop.
If you build multiple stations in one area you will probably need to supplement the hull parts and claytronics or the prices will skyrocket.

try to increase storage as you increase modules, that will keep the manager from making extortionate operating budget requests. You do sometimes have to manually set things if you add a module requiring a new resource, but all storage is full with other stuff.
I try and have separate chains in each friendly race area, to support their industry and build.
Sometimes you can build in one area and take the claytronics, hull parts from another region.

[dmansail]

What i mean is that since you make the first Hull - Claytronic production is difficult. Since you make it , you support your new factories with that.

[hurepoix]

it depend of your goals and current wealth.
A big one will take five more time to build than 5 little stations. It comes from the fact you can dedicate only on builder to a station whatever could be it s size.
For an all in one mega station, it will take lot of time before to be fully functional, but logistic will be far simplier.
If you want a shipyard, and its fully fonctional logistic asap, go for several little stations.
If time have no importance, you can go for a mega station, and possibly use seta, or/and let the game run while you sleep.