A list of the best components you can buy

[Torch, the Snorch]

Since (as of 0.9.2.4) there's no way to compare components in the store to components you have in your inventory/on your ship, I decided to make myself a list of the best components available in the game. Unfortunately there's no real incentive to soup up your modules' components asides from ensuring the longevity of its systems, as they reach maximum efficiency by simply having all slots filled by a component in good condition. Basically, you can't get higher performance than from it being factory new. However, if you anticipate taking damage and want to suitably prepare your ship's modules with the most durable and long-lasting components available, this list will help.

Note: If you're going to pimp out your ride, wait until you have the ship you want, because all components and modules are sold along with your ship when you trade it in.

Module Primary Components:
Reactor Core: Xiao Sa
Emission Relay: Xiao Sa
Burner: Elander
Micro Computer: Harris-Wilson
Magnetoplasma Node: Elander

Module Secondary Components:
Short Buffer: Any Manufacturer (no difference between them). Unlike most other components, the Short Buffer seems to have a unique purpose - preventing electrical/EMP damage from reaching any other components within the module. While expensive at 200c per Buffer, prioritize replacing these when they get damaged.
T-Con: Ventarii
Cluster-M: Elander
Ro/Aut: Xiao Sa/Ventarii
Shp-1: Xiao Sa
Hap-Node: Xiao Sa

[Ada]

Thank you for this!

[HEEL_caT666]

I would disagree with these module choices slightly.

All brands of modules in the game exist for their specific purpose -
Xiao Sa for durability, Ventarii for cheap/reliable, ConnexT is for cheap scrubs :P, while Araraki is for performance, Harris-Wilson for power efficiency and finally Eleander for stealth. There is no one single best module in the game you could have for that specific purpose - you should deck out your ship according to it's purpose.

If you wanna be a stealthy smuggler, as quiet as possible, I'd recommend you use Eleander parts, since they offer the best stealth stats, and most but some modules their efficiency is on par with the other brands, save for the maybe increased power consumption compared to H-W.

If you wanna be a stronk combat ship, and/or you dont care for stealth but for performance, you'd be better off choosing H-W and Araraki components. Their stealth is better than Ventarii and ConnexT default modules anyway :P And of course if you need a ship that you can rely on and last for a damn long time, for example if youre a full time long range freighter in a Proxima, - then choose Xiao Sa.

I personally disagree with using Xiao Sa components for little things like Hap-Nodes, Shp-1, Ro/Aut and especially your choice of using Ventarii T-Cons (really? at least H-W come on). Imho for all of those you should either use Eleander, Araraki or Harris-Wilson, cos Xiao Sa has really quite abominable emissions. I understand you wanting to invest in longevity for larger and more important components like the Emission Relay and the Reactor, but if youre already on that level of pimping your ship imho you should use the less reliable but more high performance brands to suit your needs, and unless youre a cheap captain that cant get a sustainable income (I mean, how hard is it to ferry goods from Sterling to Penitent about 3 times? Youll literally have 6-10k after that if you pick up contracts on they way), you'd have sufficient replacements for the less reliable modules in your storage.

Oh, and there is a difference between which Short Buffer you choose, they do have different stats after all. (do you even look?) For the short buffer I would't recommend H-W, the module has a terrible price for a srength that is nothing compared to the all too similar, save the .5% drop in power efficieny (wow), Ventarii module, which I would recommend you using.

[Torch, the Snorch]

Do note that this post is 1 1/2 years old, before the engineering overhaul occurred. At that point, engineering wasn't entirely worth it asides from repairs and pre-maintanence. I believe they've changed stats and displays quite a bit since I last played, so I don't know how much of it still stands true. Though, the necro is surely tempting me to pick the game back up.

[HEEL_caT666]

Oh really? I apologies then my friend. I picked the game up quite recently, at 1.0.8 right now. Didn't actually know they redone the whole of engineering, thought most of it was just adding on to the story, minor balans and bug fixes. Well, yeah then. The game is still kinda buggy and crashes sometimes but I really enjoy it. Engineering now is quite different, there is much more stuff and each brand as I've already said now has it's niche. For sure, pick it up again, it's great. But there's still a lot of bugs - random crashes, the edges of the rooms looking kinda cursed and the music player just dies at some point. Otherwise it's still awesome. Sad the dev's abandoned it tho, their mentality with their other games is similar and I dont understand how their strategy works imho. Hopefully theyll sell it to someone or open-source it or something, or at least fix the biggest bugs. Luckily I picked it up from GOG for a very fat discount, but I do understand other people's frustration about it, its way too expensive.