i'm fairly new to the upgrading process and I have a few questions?

I just have a few questions in regards to how to upgrade the engines, thrusters and frame shift drives:

  1. What should I look for when upgrading my ship in general, when It comes to upgrading weapons and defenses I'm fine, but in terms of performance what should I look out for?
  2. Mass, I'm assuming the lower the better in terms of speed and performance.
  3. Whats the most efficient way of increasing jump distance, and how do I achieve this?
  4. Anything else I should know about?

Thanks in advance!
 
Depends on what you want to do with your ship...

Power distibutor is mainly a good idea (if you don't build a pure trader or explorer)
Frameshift drive if you need the jumprange.
Powercore as needed.

"A" Class modules give more performance, "D" Class save on weight.
There is rarely a need to use something in between... but it can happen.

For maximum jumprange (neglecting combat abilities): A Class FSD, most other parts "D" Class to save weight. Shields as small as possible (i won't go without any).
 
Make sure you match the module number for FSD, Thrusters etc, i.e. replacing Type 3 thrusters with Type 2 won't work even if they are a higher class.
 
the best way to get jump range is as said D components. you can even put in a smaller powerplant like if your ship can fit ex, A3 you can sometimes use an A2 if you go for D class parts wich have a lower pover drain than A or B. smaller parts than ships max rating goes for most things.
you would want the biggest possible FSD drive like A rated.
power distrubutor is good to have big for boosting purpose.

if you are to go into combat you want to get your ship as maxed out as you can get it.. more power to blast others with and more protection for you:)

i would always run with a fuel scoop. even an E rated one if i had to.. just because running out of fuel is equally as bad as getting blown up..
but the better the scoop the lesser time used for scooping and lesser chance of over heating:)

speaking of heat.
A rated power plants run much cooler than anything else. also a good reason to downsize if you dont need a big one..
but always try and get a A rated powerplant. as long as it delivers the power you need:)

i hope this was clear and understandable and not just rambling:p
 
I just have a few questions in regards to how to upgrade the engines, thrusters and frame shift drives:

  1. What should I look for when upgrading my ship in general, when It comes to upgrading weapons and defenses I'm fine, but in terms of performance what should I look out for?
  2. Mass, I'm assuming the lower the better in terms of speed and performance.
  3. Whats the most efficient way of increasing jump distance, and how do I achieve this?
  4. Anything else I should know about?

Thanks in advance!

1. It really depends on your ship and your intentions but like Jorlin said, class D for low weight (explorer), class A of appropriate size for highest performance-or otherwise whatever you can afford if class A beyond your financial reach.
2. The lighter items aid with jump range but the most powerful thrusters etc will not be the lightest ones. Again, it depends on what you want to do in the game as to which will suit best. If travelling around uninhabited space go for lightest, if doing fighting go for performance.
3. Fitting an A-class jump frame shift drive at the highest level your ship will allow, cash permitting. Or a B since they get mightily expensive. Of course light class D items help but an A class drive will probably allow greater benefit jumpwise than all other attempts at weight saving put together.
4. Now some may call this silly and I only do it when trading and travelling around known space where there is lots of stations-equip a smaller fuel tank than your ship comes with but be careful to regularly re-fuel, decent weight saving and extra jump range. Don't try this for exploring though as you can end up in systems with suns that cannot be fuel scooped.

Be aware you may have to shop around for stuff, high-tech systems are the best but you may not everything you want in all of them.

Hope this helps :)
 
Anything else I should know about?

Number 1 tip. Unless you have a good reason to do so, always put a module of the same size (the number) as the bay you're putting it into. There are good edge cases for downgrading module sizes, but for the general case don't do this.

Module ratings _usually_ get better as the letter gets lower (E -> A). Module power demands typically go up as the rating gets better. D rating modules are lightest of all, B are the heaviest, ECA are standard weight. Cost goes up markedly as rating gets better.

You _usually_ want D rating sensors and life support at a minimum. You may want better sensors, depending how you fly. Better FSDs will jump further in a single jump _and_ be more fuel efficient. Better powerplants will both generate more power _and_ dissipate heat faster. Better thrusters turn and go faster. You get the gist :)

Ignore the rating letters on weapons, they're meaningless. Pay attention to the mount type (gimbal, fixed, turret), size, and type.
 
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