Best Alternate Recipes in Satisfactory 1.2: Tier List
Updated · data v1.2.3.1
Choose by product: these picks give the largest single-alternate saving in an equal-weight raw-input index, including Water.
Quick picks
| Product | Best single alternate | Saved | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Plate | Coated Iron Plate | 56.67% | Crude Oil |
| Iron Rod | Steel Rod | 50% | Coal |
| Screws | Steel Screws | 38.46% | Coal |
| Reinforced Iron Plate | Adhered Iron Plate | 50% | Crude Oil |
| Modular Frame | Steeled Frame | 25% | Coal |
| Steel Ingot | Coke Steel Ingot | 43.75% | Crude Oil |
| Steel Beam | Aluminum Beam | 56.25% | Water, Bauxite, Raw Quartz |
| Wire | Fused Wire | 53.33% | Caterium Ore |
| Cable | Quickwire Cable | 56.36% | Crude Oil, Caterium Ore |
| Concrete | Fine Concrete | 54% | Raw Quartz |
| Plastic | Recycled Plastic | 33.33% | None |
| Rubber | Recycled Rubber | 16.67% | None |
| Fuel | Diluted Fuel | 16.67% more | Water |
| Circuit Board | Caterium Circuit Board | 52.86% | Caterium Ore |
| Computer | Crystal Computer | 27.78% | Raw Quartz, Iron Ore |
| Motor | Rigor Motor | 49.57% | Raw Quartz |
| Heavy Modular Frame | Heavy Encased Frame | 37.62% | None |
S 13 · A 34 · B 21 · C 29 · not comparable 11
All 63 products
Best alternate for common products
Covers 17 common products at 60/min with standard supporting recipes; arrows show standard → alternate. Product names link to calculators. See the recipes database or production optimizer for your own targets.
Iron
Iron Plate — Coated Iron Plate · 56.67% saved
Iron Ore 90 → 30; Crude Oil 0 → 9
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Assembler: 37.5 Iron Ingot; 7.5 Plastic.
Supporting recipes used: Iron Ingot, Plastic.
Raw inputs: 90 → 39
Surplus/min: None → 3 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 24 → 25 MW.
Iron Rod — Steel Rod · 50% saved
Iron Ore 60 → 15; Coal 0 → 15
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Constructor: 12 Steel Ingot.
Supporting recipes used: Steel Ingot.
Raw inputs: 60 → 30
Surplus/min: None → None.
Production power: 24 → 10.33 MW.
Screws — Steel Screws · 38.46% saved
Iron Ore 15 → 4.62; Coal 0 → 4.62
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Constructor: 5 Steel Beam.
Supporting recipes used: Steel Ingot, Steel Beam.
Raw inputs: 15 → 9.23
Surplus/min: None → None.
Production power: 12 → 2.87 MW.
Reinforced Iron Plate — Adhered Iron Plate · 50% saved
Iron Ore 720 → 270; Crude Oil 0 → 90
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Assembler: 11.25 Iron Plate; 3.75 Rubber.
Supporting recipes used: Iron Plate, Iron Ingot, Rubber.
Raw inputs: 720 → 360
Surplus/min: None → 60 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 468 → 402 MW.
Modular Frame — Steeled Frame · 25% saved
Iron Ore 1,440 → 780; Coal 0 → 300
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Assembler: 2 Reinforced Iron Plate; 10 Steel Pipe.
Supporting recipes used: Iron Ingot, Iron Plate, Screws, Steel Pipe, Iron Rod, Reinforced Iron Plate, Steel Ingot.
Raw inputs: 1,440 → 1,080
Surplus/min: None → None.
Production power: 1,296 → 758.67 MW.
Steel
Steel Ingot — Coke Steel Ingot · 43.75% saved
Coal 60 → 0; Iron Ore 60 → 45; Crude Oil 0 → 22.5
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Foundry: 75 Iron Ore; 75 Petroleum Coke.
Supporting recipes used: Rubber, Petroleum Coke.
Raw inputs: 120 → 67.5
Surplus/min: None → 15 Rubber. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 21.33 → 43.35 MW.
Steel Beam — Aluminum Beam · 56.25% saved
Iron Ore 240 → 0; Coal 240 → 30; Water 0 → 90; Bauxite 0 → 60; Raw Quartz 0 → 30
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Constructor: 22.5 Aluminum Ingot.
Supporting recipes used: Silica, Aluminum Ingot, Alumina Solution, Aluminum Scrap.
Index: 480 → 210; non-water: 480 → 120; Water: 0 → 90.
Surplus/min: None → None.
Production power: 101.33 → 54.5 MW.
Copper
Wire — Fused Wire · 53.33% saved
Copper Ore 30 → 8; Caterium Ore 0 → 6
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Assembler: 12 Copper Ingot; 3 Caterium Ingot.
Supporting recipes used: Copper Ingot, Caterium Ingot.
Raw inputs: 30 → 14
Surplus/min: None → None.
Production power: 12 → 11.6 MW.
Cable — Quickwire Cable · 56.36% saved
Copper Ore 60 → 0; Crude Oil 0 → 16.36; Caterium Ore 0 → 9.82
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Assembler: 7.5 Quickwire; 5 Rubber.
Supporting recipes used: Rubber, Quickwire, Caterium Ingot.
Raw inputs: 60 → 26.18
Surplus/min: None → 10.91 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 32 → 51.05 MW.
Concrete
Concrete — Fine Concrete · 54% saved
Limestone 180 → 72; Raw Quartz 0 → 10.8
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Assembler: 15 Silica; 60 Limestone.
Supporting recipes used: Silica.
Raw inputs: 180 → 82.8
Surplus/min: None → None.
Production power: 16 → 19.92 MW.
Oil
Plastic — Recycled Plastic · 33.33% saved
Crude Oil 90 → 60
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Refinery: 30 Rubber; 30 Fuel.
Supporting recipes used: Rubber, Residual Fuel, Fuel.
Raw inputs: 90 → 60
Surplus/min: 30 Heavy Oil Residue → 7.5 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 90 → 97.5 MW.
Rubber — Recycled Rubber · 16.67% saved
Crude Oil 90 → 75
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Refinery: 30 Plastic; 30 Fuel.
Supporting recipes used: Plastic, Fuel, Residual Fuel.
Raw inputs: 90 → 75
Surplus/min: 60 Heavy Oil Residue → 15 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 90 → 97.5 MW.
Fuel — Diluted Fuel · 16.67% more inputs
Crude Oil 90 → 45; Water 0 → 60
Oil falls, but added Water raises the equally weighted index: that is why this pick is in C.
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Blender: 50 Heavy Oil Residue; 100 Water.
Supporting recipes used: Rubber.
Index: 90 → 105; non-water: 90 → 45; Water: 0 → 60.
Surplus/min: 45 Polymer Resin → 30 Rubber. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 45 → 90 MW.
Advanced
Circuit Board — Caterium Circuit Board · 52.86% saved
Copper Ore 240 → 0; Crude Oil 360 → 128.57; Caterium Ore 0 → 154.29
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Assembler: 12.5 Plastic; 37.5 Quickwire.
Supporting recipes used: Plastic, Quickwire, Caterium Ingot.
Raw inputs: 600 → 282.86
Surplus/min: 120 Heavy Oil Residue → 42.86 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 560 → 262.29 MW.
Computer — Crystal Computer · 27.78% saved
Crude Oil 2,880 → 540.01; Copper Ore 1,440 → 780.02; Raw Quartz 0 → 900.03; Iron Ore 0 → 900.03
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Assembler: 5 Circuit Board; 1.67 Crystal Oscillator.
Supporting recipes used: Iron Ingot, Crystal Oscillator, Wire, Copper Ingot, Quartz Crystal, Iron Plate, Screws, Plastic, Copper Sheet, Iron Rod, Reinforced Iron Plate, Cable, Circuit Board.
Raw inputs: 4,320 → 3,120.08
Surplus/min: 960 Heavy Oil Residue → 180 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued.
Production power: 5,256 → 3,665.09 MW.
Motor — Rigor Motor · 49.57% saved
Iron Ore 1,890 → 772.5; Coal 540 → 135; Copper Ore 480 → 260; Raw Quartz 0 → 300
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Manufacturer: 3.75 Rotor; 3.75 Stator; 1.25 Crystal Oscillator.
Supporting recipes used: Iron Rod, Screws, Iron Ingot, Wire, Crystal Oscillator, Copper Ingot, Quartz Crystal, Iron Plate, Rotor, Stator, Reinforced Iron Plate, Cable, Steel Pipe, Steel Ingot.
Raw inputs: 2,910 → 1,467.5
Surplus/min: None → None.
Production power: 2,286 → 1,818.17 MW.
Heavy Modular Frame — Heavy Encased Frame · 37.62% saved
Iron Ore 14,400 → 7,320; Coal 5,400 → 3,480; Limestone 5,400 → 4,920
Ingredients, supporting recipes, surplus & power
Direct ingredients/min per full-clock Manufacturer: 7.5 Modular Frame; 9.38 Encased Industrial Beam; 33.75 Steel Pipe; 20.63 Concrete.
Supporting recipes used: Iron Ingot, Iron Rod, Concrete, Modular Frame, Steel Ingot, Iron Plate, Screws, Reinforced Iron Plate, Steel Beam, Steel Pipe, Encased Industrial Beam.
Raw inputs: 25,200 → 15,720
Surplus/min: None → None.
Production power: 13,200 → 7,108 MW.
How to choose an alternate for your current production line
Check whether you can supply the ingredients and buildings. The opening picks have ingredient rates and supporting recipe names in their disclosures; a larger saving can require a resource or building your current line does not use.
- Coated Iron Plate: uses Iron Ingot, Plastic in an Assembler.
- Coke Steel Ingot: uses Iron Ore, Petroleum Coke in a Foundry.
- Fused Wire: uses Copper Ingot, Caterium Ingot in an Assembler.
- Cast Screws is an alternative when removing rod production matters more than the opening pick's raw saving.
Single-alternate savings bands
These bands describe the raw-input index, not overall recipe quality: S ≥50% saved; A ≥25% and <50%; B ≥5% and <25%; C <5% saved, including increased inputs. Expand a band for its comparisons; trades show standard → alternate at 60/min output.
110 alternates examined: 97 numeric comparisons, 11 not comparable alone, and 2 exclusions. Charcoal and Biocoal produce Coal, which is treated as a raw resource here.
S savings band · 13 comparisons
| Product / alternate | Saved | Trade/min |
|---|---|---|
| Polymer Resin Polymer Resin | 76.92% saved | Crude Oil 120 → 27.69 Surplus/min: 80 Fuel → 9.23 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Diamonds Oil-Based Diamonds | 75% saved | Coal 1,200 → 0; Crude Oil 0 → 300 |
| Iron Plate Coated Iron Plate | 56.67% saved | Iron Ore 90 → 30; Crude Oil 0 → 9 |
| Cable Quickwire Cable | 56.36% saved | Copper Ore 60 → 0; Crude Oil 0 → 16.36; Caterium Ore 0 → 9.82 |
| Steel Beam Aluminum Beam | 56.25% saved | Iron Ore 240 → 0; Coal 240 → 30; Water 0 → 90; Bauxite 0 → 60; Raw Quartz 0 → 30 |
| Concrete Fine Concrete | 54% saved | Limestone 180 → 72; Raw Quartz 0 → 10.8 |
| Wire Fused Wire | 53.33% saved | Copper Ore 30 → 8; Caterium Ore 0 → 6 |
| Circuit Board Caterium Circuit Board | 52.86% saved | Copper Ore 240 → 0; Crude Oil 360 → 128.57; Caterium Ore 0 → 154.29 |
| Concrete Rubber Concrete | 51.85% saved | Limestone 180 → 66.67; Crude Oil 0 → 20 Surplus/min: None → 13.33 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Iron Rod Steel Rod | 50% saved | Iron Ore 60 → 15; Coal 0 → 15 |
| Reinforced Iron Plate Adhered Iron Plate | 50% saved | Iron Ore 720 → 270; Crude Oil 0 → 90 |
| Iron Rod Aluminum Rod | 50% saved | Iron Ore 60 → 0; Water 0 → 12.86; Bauxite 0 → 8.57; Coal 0 → 4.29; Raw Quartz 0 → 4.29 |
| Heavy Oil Residue Heavy Oil Residue | 50% saved | Crude Oil 90 → 45 Surplus/min: 60 Rubber → 30 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
A savings band · 34 comparisons
| Product / alternate | Saved | Trade/min |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Rigor Motor | 49.57% saved | Iron Ore 1,890 → 772.5; Coal 540 → 135; Copper Ore 480 → 260; Raw Quartz 0 → 300 |
| Steel Ingot Coke Steel Ingot | 43.75% saved | Coal 60 → 0; Iron Ore 60 → 45; Crude Oil 0 → 22.5 |
| Circuit Board Silicon Circuit Board | 42.8% saved | Crude Oil 360 → 0; Raw Quartz 0 → 79.2; Copper Ore 240 → 264 Surplus/min: 120 Heavy Oil Residue → None. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Smart Plating Plastic Smart Plating | 40.32% saved | Iron Ore 1,395 → 697.5; Crude Oil 0 → 135 Surplus/min: None → 45 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Circuit Board Electrode Circuit Board | 40% saved | Copper Ore 240 → 0 Surplus/min: 120 Heavy Oil Residue → 80 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Diamonds Petroleum Diamonds | 40% saved | Coal 1,200 → 0; Crude Oil 0 → 720 Surplus/min: None → 480 Rubber. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Cable Coated Cable | 38.89% saved | Copper Ore 60 → 16.67; Crude Oil 0 → 20 Surplus/min: None → 13.33 Rubber. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Screws Steel Screws | 38.46% saved | Iron Ore 15 → 4.62; Coal 0 → 4.62 |
| Non-Fissile Uranium Fertile Uranium | 38.24% saved | Nitrogen Gas 72 → 36; Raw Quartz 18 → 0; Water 36 → 24; Iron Ore 9 → 4.5; Sulfur 18 → 15; Uranium 0 → 15 External inputs/min: 45 Uranium Waste → 15 Uranium Waste. Upstream cost of creating external waste is excluded; this is not a complete nuclear-system saving. |
| Heavy Modular Frame Heavy Encased Frame | 37.62% saved | Iron Ore 14,400 → 7,320; Coal 5,400 → 3,480; Limestone 5,400 → 4,920 |
| AI Limiter Plastic AI Limiter | 35.23% saved | Copper Ore 600 → 0; Caterium Ore 720 → 540; Crude Oil 0 → 315 Surplus/min: None → 105 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Diamonds Pink Diamonds | 35% saved | Coal 1,200 → 480; Raw Quartz 0 → 300 |
| Motor Electric Motor | 34.02% saved | Iron Ore 1,890 → 877.5; Coal 540 → 202.5; Caterium Ore 0 → 360 |
| High-Speed Connector Silicon High-Speed Connector | 33.77% saved | Caterium Ore 2,016 → 1,080; Copper Ore 840 → 240; Raw Quartz 0 → 450 |
| Crystal Oscillator Insulated Crystal Oscillator | 33.56% saved | Iron Ore 1,800 → 0; Raw Quartz 1,800 → 1,000; Copper Ore 840 → 600; Caterium Ore 0 → 720; Crude Oil 0 → 630 Surplus/min: None → 420 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Iron Plate Steel Cast Plate | 33.33% saved | Iron Ore 90 → 40; Coal 0 → 20 |
| Dark Matter Crystal Dark Matter Crystallization | 33.33% saved | Coal 1,200 → 0; SAM 600 → 1,200 |
| Iron Ingot Iron Alloy Ingot | 33.33% saved | Iron Ore 60 → 32; Copper Ore 0 → 8 |
| Copper Ingot Pure Copper Ingot | 33.33% saved | Copper Ore 60 → 24; Water 0 → 16 |
| Plastic Recycled Plastic | 33.33% saved | Crude Oil 90 → 60 |
| Alumina Solution Sloppy Alumina | 33.33% saved | Water 90 → 50; Bauxite 60 → 50 Surplus/min: 25 Silica → None. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Steel Ingot Solid Steel Ingot | 33.33% saved | Iron Ore 60 → 40; Coal 60 → 40 |
| Cable Insulated Cable | 32.5% saved | Copper Ore 60 → 13.5; Crude Oil 0 → 27 Surplus/min: None → 18 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Aluminum Scrap Instant Scrap | 31.67% saved | Water 60 → 22; Bauxite 40 → 30; Sulfur 0 → 10 Surplus/min: 16.67 Silica → None. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Reinforced Iron Plate Stitched Iron Plate | 30.56% saved | Iron Ore 720 → 300; Copper Ore 0 → 200 |
| Versatile Framework Flexible Framework | 30% saved | Iron Ore 2,160 → 1,440; Coal 1,440 → 720; Crude Oil 0 → 360 Surplus/min: None → 240 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Iron Ingot Leached Iron Ingot | 30% saved | Iron Ore 60 → 30; Sulfur 0 → 6; Water 0 → 6 |
| Uranium Fuel Rod Uranium Fuel Unit | 29.06% saved | Limestone 8,640 → 3,600; Coal 4,185 → 1,350; Uranium 6,000 → 4,000; Caterium Ore 3,600 → 2,400; Sulfur 3,600 → 2,400; Water 3,600 → 2,400; Copper Ore 4,800 → 4,040; Raw Quartz 0 → 1,800; Iron Ore 4,185 → 5,400 |
| Heavy Modular Frame Heavy Flexible Frame | 28.1% saved | Iron Ore 14,400 → 10,920; Coal 5,400 → 2,160; Limestone 5,400 → 3,240; Crude Oil 0 → 1,800 Surplus/min: None → 1,200 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Computer Crystal Computer | 27.78% saved | Crude Oil 2,880 → 540.01; Copper Ore 1,440 → 780.02; Raw Quartz 0 → 900.03; Iron Ore 0 → 900.03 |
| Rotor Copper Rotor | 25.93% saved | Iron Ore 675 → 260; Copper Ore 0 → 240 |
| Wire Caterium Wire | 25% saved | Copper Ore 30 → 0; Caterium Ore 0 → 22.5 |
| Modular Frame Steeled Frame | 25% saved | Iron Ore 1,440 → 780; Coal 0 → 300 |
| Copper Ingot Tempered Copper Ingot | 25% saved | Copper Ore 60 → 25; Crude Oil 0 → 20 Surplus/min: None → 13.33 Rubber. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
B savings band · 21 comparisons
| Product / alternate | Saved | Trade/min |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Wiring Automated Speed Wiring | 24.55% saved | Copper Ore 1,440 → 630; Iron Ore 270 → 135; Coal 270 → 135; Caterium Ore 0 → 504; Crude Oil 0 → 90 Surplus/min: None → 30 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Caterium Ingot Tempered Caterium Ingot | 22.22% saved | Caterium Ore 180 → 120; Crude Oil 0 → 20 Surplus/min: None → 13.33 Rubber. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Supercomputer Super-State Computer | 21.93% saved | Caterium Ore 7,488 → 720; Crude Oil 15,120 → 8,640; Copper Ore 9,480 → 6,030; Water 0 → 4,650; Bauxite 0 → 2,100; Sulfur 0 → 1,500; Coal 0 → 855; Iron Ore 0 → 405; Raw Quartz 0 → 150 Surplus/min: 5,040 Heavy Oil Residue → 1,920 Fuel. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Encased Industrial Beam Encased Industrial Pipe | 21.43% saved | Limestone 1,080 → 900; Iron Ore 720 → 540; Coal 720 → 540 |
| Computer Caterium Computer | 20.28% saved | Crude Oil 2,880 → 1,980; Copper Ore 1,440 → 960; Caterium Ore 0 → 504 Surplus/min: 960 Heavy Oil Residue → 840 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Aluminum Scrap Electrode Aluminum Scrap | 20% saved | Coal 20 → 0; Water 60 → 54; Bauxite 40 → 36; Crude Oil 0 → 6 Surplus/min: 16.67 Silica → 15 Silica; 4 Rubber. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Rotor Steel Rotor | 20% saved | Iron Ore 675 → 180; Copper Ore 0 → 180; Coal 0 → 180 |
| Heat Sink Heat Exchanger | 19.54% saved | Copper Ore 460 → 0; Water 450 → 405; Bauxite 300 → 270; Raw Quartz 150 → 135; Coal 150 → 135; Crude Oil 0 → 270 Surplus/min: None → 180 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Stator Quickwire Stator | 19.23% saved | Copper Ore 240 → 0; Iron Ore 270 → 180; Coal 270 → 180; Caterium Ore 0 → 270 |
| Turbo Motor Turbo Pressure Motor | 17.23% saved | Crude Oil 8,640 → 2,880; Copper Ore 9,320 → 3,780; Water 9,120 → 6,615; Nitrogen Gas 6,000 → 3,630; Raw Quartz 4,440 → 3,105; Bauxite 5,280 → 4,410; Iron Ore 9,360 → 12,960; Limestone 0 → 2,700; Coal 4,800 → 7,065 Surplus/min: 3,840 Heavy Oil Residue → 640 Fuel. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Turbo Motor Turbo Electric Motor | 17.04% saved | Nitrogen Gas 6,000 → 0; Water 9,120 → 6,480; Copper Ore 9,320 → 8,300; Bauxite 5,280 → 4,320; Coal 4,800 → 4,095; Caterium Ore 0 → 1,200; Raw Quartz 4,440 → 4,860 Surplus/min: 3,840 Heavy Oil Residue → 2,880 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Dark Matter Crystal Dark Matter Trap | 16.67% saved | SAM 600 → 300 |
| Rubber Recycled Rubber | 16.67% saved | Crude Oil 90 → 75 |
| Encased Uranium Cell Infused Uranium Cell | 16.13% saved | Limestone 108 → 0; Water 72 → 0; Uranium 120 → 75; Caterium Ore 0 → 135; Raw Quartz 0 → 27; Sulfur 72 → 75 |
| Encased Plutonium Cell Instant Plutonium Cell | 15.95% saved | Limestone 720 → 0; Water 240 → 405; Bauxite 0 → 90; Raw Quartz 120 → 180; Nitrogen Gas 480 → 540; Coal 0 → 45; Sulfur 120 → 135; Iron Ore 60 → 67.5 External inputs/min: 400 Uranium Waste → 337.5 Uranium Waste. Upstream cost of creating external waste is excluded; this is not a complete nuclear-system saving. |
| Iron Ingot Pure Iron Ingot | 15.38% saved | Iron Ore 60 → 32.31; Water 0 → 18.46 |
| Battery Classic Battery | 13.84% saved | Water 465 → 157.5; Bauxite 210 → 105; Sulfur 150 → 90; Crude Oil 0 → 180; Copper Ore 0 → 125; Raw Quartz 15 → 52.5; Coal 45 → 52.5 Surplus/min: None → 60 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Copper Ingot Leached Copper Ingot | 13.64% saved | Copper Ore 60 → 24.55; Sulfur 0 → 13.64; Water 0 → 13.64 |
| Concrete Wet Concrete | 8.33% saved | Limestone 180 → 90; Water 0 → 75 |
| Radio Control Unit Radio Control System | 7.77% saved | Crude Oil 2,880 → 2,100; Copper Ore 1,860 → 1,080; Iron Ore 900 → 600; Raw Quartz 1,620 → 1,500; Water 2,160 → 2,700; Bauxite 1,440 → 1,800; Coal 720 → 900 Surplus/min: 960 Heavy Oil Residue → 1,000 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Fused Modular Frame Heat-Fused Frame | 7.56% saved | Water 6,750 → 4,980; Bauxite 4,500 → 3,000; Coal 7,650 → 6,900; Raw Quartz 2,250 → 1,500; Crude Oil 0 → 900; Nitrogen Gas 1,500 → 1,920; Iron Ore 14,400 → 14,640 Surplus/min: None → 450 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
C: little or no saving / costs more · 29 comparisons
| Product / alternate | Saved | Trade/min |
|---|---|---|
| Electromagnetic Control Rod Electromagnetic Connection Rod | 4.1% saved | Copper Ore 960 → 660; Iron Ore 405 → 270; Coal 405 → 270; Caterium Ore 720 → 1,008; Crude Oil 0 → 180 Surplus/min: None → 60 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Screws Cast Screws | 0% saved | Same raw inputs Removes rod production: 3 → 2 recipes; production power 12 → 6.8 MW. |
| Copper Ingot Copper Alloy Ingot | 0% saved | Copper Ore 60 → 30; Iron Ore 0 → 30 |
| Copper Sheet Steamed Copper Sheet | 0% saved | Copper Ore 120 → 60; Water 0 → 60 |
| Aluminum Casing Alclad Casing | 1.59% more inputs | Water 135 → 120; Bauxite 90 → 80; Coal 45 → 40; Raw Quartz 45 → 40; Copper Ore 0 → 40 |
| Supercomputer OC Supercomputer | 3.34% more inputs | Crude Oil 15,120 → 6,120; Caterium Ore 7,488 → 0; Copper Ore 9,480 → 5,560; Water 0 → 6,720; Bauxite 0 → 4,080; Raw Quartz 0 → 3,840; Nitrogen Gas 0 → 3,000; Coal 0 → 2,040; Iron Ore 0 → 1,800 Surplus/min: 5,040 Heavy Oil Residue → 2,160 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Cooling System Cooling Device | 3.9% more inputs | Nitrogen Gas 1,500 → 720; Water 1,200 → 900; Crude Oil 180 → 0; Iron Ore 0 → 945; Coal 300 → 570; Copper Ore 920 → 1,160 Surplus/min: 120 Heavy Oil Residue → None. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Modular Frame Bolted Frame | 4.17% more inputs | Iron Ore 1,440 → 1,500 |
| Caterium Ingot Leached Caterium Ingot | 5.56% more inputs | Caterium Ore 180 → 90; Sulfur 0 → 50; Water 0 → 50 |
| Packaged Fuel Diluted Packaged Fuel | 6.25% more inputs | Crude Oil 120 → 67.5; Water 0 → 60 Surplus/min: 37.5 Polymer Resin → 15 Rubber. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Reinforced Iron Plate Bolted Iron Plate | 9.72% more inputs | Iron Ore 720 → 790 |
| Plutonium Fuel Rod Plutonium Fuel Unit | 10.49% more inputs | Copper Ore 10,360 → 3,720; Caterium Ore 4,320 → 0; Nitrogen Gas 14,400 → 11,100; Limestone 21,600 → 19,800; Sulfur 3,600 → 2,400; Iron Ore 8,550 → 17,400; Crude Oil 0 → 5,760; Bauxite 3,000 → 7,380; Water 11,700 → 15,870; Raw Quartz 5,100 → 7,890; Coal 8,250 → 9,090 Surplus/min: None → 1,920 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. External inputs/min: 12,000 Uranium Waste → 8,000 Uranium Waste. Upstream cost of creating external waste is excluded; this is not a complete nuclear-system saving. |
| Quickwire Fused Quickwire | 11.11% more inputs | Caterium Ore 36 → 15; Copper Ore 0 → 25 |
| Wire Iron Wire | 11.11% more inputs | Copper Ore 30 → 0; Iron Ore 0 → 33.33 |
| Aluminum Ingot Pure Aluminum Ingot | 14.29% more inputs | Raw Quartz 30 → 0; Water 90 → 120; Bauxite 60 → 80; Coal 30 → 40 Surplus/min: None → 33.33 Silica. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Fuel Diluted Fuel | 16.67% more inputs | Crude Oil 90 → 45; Water 0 → 60 |
| Radio Control Unit Radio Connection Unit | 18.07% more inputs | Crude Oil 2,880 → 720; Iron Ore 900 → 0; Water 2,160 → 1,800; Bauxite 1,440 → 1,200; Coal 720 → 600; Caterium Ore 0 → 4,032; Copper Ore 1,860 → 3,520; Raw Quartz 1,620 → 1,800 Surplus/min: 960 Heavy Oil Residue → 240 Heavy Oil Residue. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Quartz Crystal Pure Quartz Crystal | 20% more inputs | Raw Quartz 100 → 77.14; Water 0 → 42.86 |
| Quartz Crystal Fused Quartz Crystal | 23.33% more inputs | Raw Quartz 100 → 83.33; Coal 0 → 40 |
| Steel Pipe Molded Steel Pipe | 26.67% more inputs | Iron Ore 90 → 60; Coal 90 → 60; Limestone 0 → 108 |
| Iron Ingot Basic Iron Ingot | 30% more inputs | Iron Ore 60 → 30; Limestone 0 → 48 |
| Steel Pipe Iron Pipe | 33.33% more inputs | Coal 90 → 0; Iron Ore 90 → 240 |
| Steel Beam Molded Beam | 33.33% more inputs | Iron Ore 240 → 160; Coal 240 → 160; Limestone 0 → 320 |
| Caterium Ingot Pure Caterium Ingot | 33.33% more inputs | Caterium Ore 180 → 120; Water 0 → 120 |
| Quartz Crystal Quartz Purification | 40% more inputs | Raw Quartz 100 → 96; Nitrogen Gas 0 → 32; Water 0 → 8; Iron Ore 0 → 4 Surplus/min: None → 48 Dissolved Silica. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Empty Canister Coated Iron Canister | 66.67% more inputs | Crude Oil 45 → 0; Iron Ore 0 → 45; Copper Ore 0 → 30 Surplus/min: 15 Heavy Oil Residue → None. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Diamonds Cloudy Diamonds | 80% more inputs | Coal 1,200 → 720; Limestone 0 → 1,440 |
| Silica Cheap Silica | 90.48% more inputs | Raw Quartz 36 → 25.71; Limestone 0 → 42.86 |
| Empty Canister Steel Canister | 166.67% more inputs | Crude Oil 45 → 0; Iron Ore 0 → 60; Coal 0 → 60 Surplus/min: 15 Heavy Oil Residue → None. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
Not comparable alone · 11 alternates
N/A is not a measured zero saving. Each row explains why no percentage can be assigned.
| Product / alternate | Saved | Trade/min |
|---|---|---|
| Compacted Coal Compacted Coal | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison No standard-only chain |
| Steel Ingot Compacted Steel Ingot | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison Needs another alternate |
| Ionized Fuel Dark-Ion Fuel | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison No standard-only chain |
| Silica Distilled Silica | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison Needs another alternate |
| Black Powder Fine Black Powder | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison Needs another alternate |
| Rocket Fuel Nitro Rocket Fuel | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison No standard-only chain |
| Fabric Polyester Fabric | Not comparable | Crude Oil 0 → 120; Water 0 → 60 Standard raw cost is zero; percentage undefined Surplus/min: None → 80 Fuel. Target product only; surplus unvalued. External inputs/min: 600 Leaves; 60 Mycelia → None. |
| Turbofuel Turbo Blend Fuel | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison No standard-only chain |
| Diamonds Turbo Diamonds | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison Needs another alternate |
| Turbofuel Turbo Heavy Fuel | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison No standard-only chain |
| Turbofuel Turbofuel | Not comparable | No paired resource comparison No standard-only chain |
Resource trades: oil, Water and simpler chains
Compare the Diluted Fuel pick for an oil/Water trade, or Cast Screws for fewer production steps. For shared oil factories, also check the surplus notes for Polymer Resin and Heavy Oil Residue.
More resource trades · 16 comparisons
These recipes reduce at least one watched input while increasing the total index. The watchlist is Crude Oil, Nitrogen Gas, Bauxite, Caterium Ore, Uranium, Raw Quartz, SAM, Sulfur; it does not rank map abundance.
| Product / alternate | Saved | Trade/min |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Casing Alclad Casing | 1.59% more inputs | Water 135 → 120; Bauxite 90 → 80; Coal 45 → 40; Raw Quartz 45 → 40; Copper Ore 0 → 40 |
| Supercomputer OC Supercomputer | 3.34% more inputs | Crude Oil 15,120 → 6,120; Caterium Ore 7,488 → 0; Copper Ore 9,480 → 5,560; Water 0 → 6,720; Bauxite 0 → 4,080; Raw Quartz 0 → 3,840; Nitrogen Gas 0 → 3,000; Coal 0 → 2,040; Iron Ore 0 → 1,800 |
| Cooling System Cooling Device | 3.9% more inputs | Nitrogen Gas 1,500 → 720; Water 1,200 → 900; Crude Oil 180 → 0; Iron Ore 0 → 945; Coal 300 → 570; Copper Ore 920 → 1,160 |
| Caterium Ingot Leached Caterium Ingot | 5.56% more inputs | Caterium Ore 180 → 90; Sulfur 0 → 50; Water 0 → 50 |
| Packaged Fuel Diluted Packaged Fuel | 6.25% more inputs | Crude Oil 120 → 67.5; Water 0 → 60 |
| Plutonium Fuel Rod Plutonium Fuel Unit | 10.49% more inputs | Copper Ore 10,360 → 3,720; Caterium Ore 4,320 → 0; Nitrogen Gas 14,400 → 11,100; Limestone 21,600 → 19,800; Sulfur 3,600 → 2,400; Iron Ore 8,550 → 17,400; Crude Oil 0 → 5,760; Bauxite 3,000 → 7,380; Water 11,700 → 15,870; Raw Quartz 5,100 → 7,890; Coal 8,250 → 9,090 |
| Quickwire Fused Quickwire | 11.11% more inputs | Caterium Ore 36 → 15; Copper Ore 0 → 25 |
| Aluminum Ingot Pure Aluminum Ingot | 14.29% more inputs | Raw Quartz 30 → 0; Water 90 → 120; Bauxite 60 → 80; Coal 30 → 40 |
| Radio Control Unit Radio Connection Unit | 18.07% more inputs | Crude Oil 2,880 → 720; Iron Ore 900 → 0; Water 2,160 → 1,800; Bauxite 1,440 → 1,200; Coal 720 → 600; Caterium Ore 0 → 4,032; Copper Ore 1,860 → 3,520; Raw Quartz 1,620 → 1,800 |
| Quartz Crystal Pure Quartz Crystal | 20% more inputs | Raw Quartz 100 → 77.14; Water 0 → 42.86 |
| Quartz Crystal Fused Quartz Crystal | 23.33% more inputs | Raw Quartz 100 → 83.33; Coal 0 → 40 |
| Caterium Ingot Pure Caterium Ingot | 33.33% more inputs | Caterium Ore 180 → 120; Water 0 → 120 |
| Quartz Crystal Quartz Purification | 40% more inputs | Raw Quartz 100 → 96; Nitrogen Gas 0 → 32; Water 0 → 8; Iron Ore 0 → 4 |
| Empty Canister Coated Iron Canister | 66.67% more inputs | Crude Oil 45 → 0; Iron Ore 0 → 45; Copper Ore 0 → 30 |
| Silica Cheap Silica | 90.48% more inputs | Raw Quartz 36 → 25.71; Limestone 0 → 42.86 |
| Empty Canister Steel Canister | 166.67% more inputs | Crude Oil 45 → 0; Iron Ore 0 → 60; Coal 0 → 60 |
For a factory supplying both products, see the efficient Plastic and Rubber guide.
Combined chains: all alternates available
Here all alternates are available together, and the chain chooses the minimum raw-input index. Each row names the alternates actually used; arrows show standard → optimized. These results belong to the whole chain.
| Product | Saving / inputs per min | Main resource trade per min |
|---|---|---|
| Reinforced Iron Plate | 81.92% saved Raw inputs: 720 → 130.2 | Iron Ore 720 → 48; Crude Oil 0 → 70.2; Copper Ore 0 → 12 Alternates: Adhered Iron Plate, Coated Iron Plate, Iron Alloy Ingot, Recycled Plastic, Recycled Rubber. |
| Modular Frame | 81.77% saved Index: 1,440 → 262.5; non-water: 1,440 → 230.19; Water: 0 → 32.31. | Iron Ore 1,440 → 72; Crude Oil 0 → 107.88; Bauxite 0 → 32.31; Water 0 → 32.31; Copper Ore 0 → 18 Alternates: Adhered Iron Plate, Bolted Frame, Steel Screws, Coated Iron Plate, Iron Alloy Ingot, Aluminum Beam, Pure Aluminum Ingot, Recycled Plastic, Recycled Rubber, Electrode Aluminum Scrap, Sloppy Alumina. |
| Motor | 81.32% saved Index: 2,910 → 543.53; non-water: 2,910 → 529.1; Water: 0 → 14.42. | Iron Ore 1,890 → 129.38; Coal 540 → 0; Copper Ore 480 → 39.38; Raw Quartz 0 → 166.67; Crude Oil 0 → 138.27; Caterium Ore 0 → 41; Bauxite 0 → 14.42; Water 0 → 14.42 Alternates: Rigor Motor, Insulated Crystal Oscillator, Steel Rod, Steel Screws, Fused Wire, Coke Steel Ingot, Fused Quickwire, Tempered Copper Ingot, Plastic AI Limiter, Tempered Caterium Ingot, Aluminum Beam, Recycled Plastic, Pure Aluminum Ingot, Heavy Oil Residue, Electrode Aluminum Scrap, Sloppy Alumina. Surplus/min: None → 4.68 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Heavy Modular Frame | 79.88% saved Index: 25,200 → 5,070.22; non-water: 25,200 → 4,384.07; Water: 0 → 686.15. | Iron Ore 14,400 → 1,002; Coal 5,400 → 0; Limestone 5,400 → 1,822.22; Crude Oil 0 → 825.69; Bauxite 0 → 686.15; Water 0 → 686.15; Copper Ore 0 → 48 Alternates: Adhered Iron Plate, Bolted Frame, Aluminum Beam, Pure Aluminum Ingot, Heavy Encased Frame, Rubber Concrete, Steel Screws, Coke Steel Ingot, Coated Iron Plate, Iron Alloy Ingot, Electrode Aluminum Scrap, Sloppy Alumina, Recycled Plastic, Recycled Rubber. |
| Cable | 75% saved Raw inputs: 60 → 15 | Copper Ore 60 → 1.85; Crude Oil 0 → 10.93; Caterium Ore 0 → 2.22 Alternates: Coated Cable, Fused Wire, Heavy Oil Residue, Tempered Copper Ingot, Tempered Caterium Ingot. Surplus/min: None → 7.28 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Steel Beam | 73.75% saved Index: 480 → 126; non-water: 480 → 66; Water: 0 → 60. | Iron Ore 240 → 0; Coal 240 → 0; Bauxite 0 → 60; Water 0 → 60; Crude Oil 0 → 6 Alternates: Aluminum Beam, Pure Aluminum Ingot, Electrode Aluminum Scrap, Sloppy Alumina, Heavy Oil Residue. Surplus/min: None → 4 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Computer | 71.31% saved Raw inputs: 4,320 → 1,239.34 | Crude Oil 2,880 → 454.94; Copper Ore 1,440 → 145.09; Raw Quartz 0 → 500.02; Caterium Ore 0 → 139.29 Alternates: Crystal Computer, Insulated Crystal Oscillator, Caterium Circuit Board, Fused Quickwire, Tempered Copper Ingot, Recycled Plastic, Plastic AI Limiter, Tempered Caterium Ingot, Recycled Rubber. Surplus/min: 960 Heavy Oil Residue → None. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Wire | 70% saved Raw inputs: 30 → 9 | Copper Ore 30 → 3.33; Caterium Ore 0 → 4; Crude Oil 0 → 1.67 Alternates: Fused Wire, Tempered Copper Ingot, Tempered Caterium Ingot, Heavy Oil Residue. Surplus/min: None → 1.11 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Steel Pipe | 53.13% saved Raw inputs: 180 → 84.38 | Coal 90 → 0; Iron Ore 90 → 67.5; Crude Oil 0 → 16.88 Alternates: Coke Steel Ingot, Heavy Oil Residue. Surplus/min: None → 11.25 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Rubber | 40% saved Raw inputs: 90 → 54 | Crude Oil 90 → 54 Alternates: Recycled Rubber, Recycled Plastic. Surplus/min: 60 Heavy Oil Residue → None. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Aluminum Ingot | 40% saved Index: 210 → 126; non-water: 120 → 66; Water: 90 → 60. | Water 90 → 60; Coal 30 → 0; Raw Quartz 30 → 0; Crude Oil 0 → 6 Alternates: Pure Aluminum Ingot, Electrode Aluminum Scrap, Sloppy Alumina, Heavy Oil Residue. Surplus/min: None → 4 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
| Plastic | 37.5% saved Raw inputs: 90 → 56.25 | Crude Oil 90 → 56.25 Alternates: Recycled Plastic, Heavy Oil Residue. Surplus/min: 30 Heavy Oil Residue → 7.5 Polymer Resin. Target product only; surplus unvalued. |
Method
- Each comparison delivers 60/min net of its named product. A single-alternate row requires the named recipe to supply at least that much gross primary output, with only standard recipes supporting it. The primary product is its first listed output.
- By-product picks maximize savings within each product. Ties within 0.000001 percentage points favor fewer production steps, then alphabetical recipe name. The production-line grouping does not establish an unlock order; even the best alternate can increase the index.
- The index adds all raw input rates equally, including Water, other fluids, gases and solid items. It measures neither extraction effort nor scarcity. Raw outputs, including returned Water, get no credit. Opening details and combined rows separate non-water and Water totals when Water is present, without changing the optimization.
- Every craftable ingredient must be supplied. No standard chain, a required additional alternate, or a zero standard cost makes the percentage unavailable; the exact reason appears beside that recipe.
- Target product only; unused coproducts unvalued. Supporting recipes may reuse coproducts. External inputs with no production recipe receive no raw cost and are noted wherever present.
- Power shown in the opening details and Cast Screws comparison describes the chosen minimum-input chain, using full-clock recipe power scaled to the required rate. It uses recipe averages where supplied, excludes extraction, transport and generation, and is not separately minimized. Production steps count distinct recipes, not a required build order. No overclocking or amplification is included.
- Saved = (standard index − alternate index) ÷ standard index × 100. More inputs are labelled as an increase. Bands use unrounded results with a 0.000001 percentage-point boundary tolerance; display-only quantities with absolute value below 0.00001 are suppressed as numerical noise.
Worked example: Coated Iron Plate
At 60 Iron Plate/min, the standard chain consumes 90 Iron Ore/min. The alternate chain consumes 30 Iron Ore plus 9 Crude Oil for its Plastic: 30 + 9 = 39. Saving = (90 − 39) ÷ 90 × 100 = 56.67%. The 3 Heavy Oil Residue surplus receives no credit.
Recipe data: game Docs.json for v1.2.3.1, via the SCIM en-Stable export; dataset id f098612a92be (our internal version hash)
Plan your production line
Use your target product and rate to compare standard recipes with all alternates available, then inspect the resources your factory needs.
Open the production optimizer →Frequently asked questions
Are alternate recipes worth it in Satisfactory?
Yes, when they improve the production line you need. Coated Iron Plate saves 56.67% of the raw-input index for Iron Plate. Others trade resources or reduce production steps; check ingredients, Water and power before replacing a working chain.
What are the best alternate recipes in Satisfactory 1.2?
For the 17 common products in the opening comparison, the single-alternate picks include Coated Iron Plate for Iron Plate; Steel Rod for Iron Rod; Steel Screws for Screws; Coke Steel Ingot for Steel Ingot; Fused Wire for Wire; Heavy Encased Frame for Heavy Modular Frame. Each wins within its own product under the stated raw-input metric; the alphabetical index covers all 63 products in the band tables. There is no universal best unlock across different products.
Does a C rating mean the recipe is bad?
No. C is a savings band, not a quality grade. A recipe can simplify production or reduce a resource you need while leaving the index unchanged or increasing it. Compare the resource trade; N/A recipes are listed separately.
Do these percentages include other alternates?
The by-product picks and savings bands enable only the named alternate, with standard supporting recipes, at 60/min net output. Only the separate Combined chains section allows all alternates together. Its savings belong to the whole chain, not one recipe.
Do these savings count useful byproducts?
Unused coproducts have no value in this comparison. A chain can reuse them, but surplus Fuel, Rubber or other outputs receive no credit. Compare the standard and alternate surplus before choosing a multiproduct factory.