I have tried a bit of both (only to G2 so far) and both seem to improve boost speed, and have some effect on mass and power usage. Can anyone explain the actual benefits of each type, as I can't seem to find a definitive answer in straightforward language .... and a single paragraph type of answer .... All explanations I've seen (so far!) seem to go on a lot about various factors. A simple one (or two!) line answer explaining the difference would suffice! Thanks.
Engineers Clean Drives vs Dirty Drives - Explain the difference please?
- Thread starter Skyfire
- Start date
Dirty drives are faster, but generate more heat so your ship will run hotter and overheat easier.
Clean drives are faster (but not as fast as dirty drives) and run cooler...
Clean drives are faster (but not as fast as dirty drives) and run cooler...
....and use more power. Weird for the Eco-friendly choice but there ya go!
Dirty drive will add more speed and agility than clean (assuming equal rolls), dirty will generate more heat especially when boosting but will draw less power than clean.
It will also depend on the ship especially with enhanced performance thrusters where optimal mass can become more important than optimal multiplier in some cases, but generally optimal multiplier is the most important factor.
Optimal multiplier figures of 120% at G3 and 130% at G5 DDT are the stated "maximum" but I've several at 123% and 133% respectively so you can get lucky.
Ideally the all up ship mass would be 50% of the optimal mass (1:2) but only the Vulture can exceed that figure anything beyond that will show very little improvement in speed and agility, so keeping all up mass low assuming it doesn't impact on offence/defense too much is worthwhile.
Consider the big picture when building a ship as a Vulture with 5C DDT G5 thrusters isn't quite as agile as one with 5A DDT G5 but it has more power for shields and weapons and doesn't need a G3 or higher overcharged power plant generating excess heat, so try and strike a balance between thruster performance/power/shields/weapons.
It will also depend on the ship especially with enhanced performance thrusters where optimal mass can become more important than optimal multiplier in some cases, but generally optimal multiplier is the most important factor.
Optimal multiplier figures of 120% at G3 and 130% at G5 DDT are the stated "maximum" but I've several at 123% and 133% respectively so you can get lucky.
Ideally the all up ship mass would be 50% of the optimal mass (1:2) but only the Vulture can exceed that figure anything beyond that will show very little improvement in speed and agility, so keeping all up mass low assuming it doesn't impact on offence/defense too much is worthwhile.
Consider the big picture when building a ship as a Vulture with 5C DDT G5 thrusters isn't quite as agile as one with 5A DDT G5 but it has more power for shields and weapons and doesn't need a G3 or higher overcharged power plant generating excess heat, so try and strike a balance between thruster performance/power/shields/weapons.
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Thanks guys! That all makes some sort of sense! Basically, both get you there quicker. Having only done up to G2 so far, I haven't really noticed much difference!
Clean gets you there quicker, Dirty even quicker. Clean uses more power, but is cooler. Dirty is a bit like my kit car, gets you there real quick, but you got to keep your eye on the temperature gauge!
What's the ED equivalent of stopping on the hard shoulder with your bonnet up with steam issuing forth? (been there, done that! - in road works ... with NO hard shoulder!! just a concrete barrier instead. Police came along .... and towed me off the motorway!)
Clean gets you there quicker, Dirty even quicker. Clean uses more power, but is cooler. Dirty is a bit like my kit car, gets you there real quick, but you got to keep your eye on the temperature gauge!
What's the ED equivalent of stopping on the hard shoulder with your bonnet up with steam issuing forth? (been there, done that! - in road works ... with NO hard shoulder!! just a concrete barrier instead. Police came along .... and towed me off the motorway!)
With energy weapons like PA or thermal kinetic railguns you can get to the point where combat can cause heat damage to the ships internal modules it's generally nothing too severe but it will add to repair bills,
I'm currently playing around with a 5 x PA Python and even with G5 efficient mods on the PA I needed a G1 low emission mod on the 6A power plant to keep heat under control, probably CDT thrusters would have been better then DDT in that case but you use what you got!
I'm currently playing around with a 5 x PA Python and even with G5 efficient mods on the PA I needed a G1 low emission mod on the 6A power plant to keep heat under control, probably CDT thrusters would have been better then DDT in that case but you use what you got!