Processor

The Processor is a high-performance computer chip used in many mid- to high-tech recipes. It is one of the key consumers of High-Purity Silicon through Microcrystalline Components, and it serves as a component of the Information Matrix.

It becomes important surprisingly early, but its demand rises sharply as production expands. In the early game it is mainly needed for logistics vehicles and transportation buildings, with only modest consumption at first. Once Structure Matrix production begins, demand grows enough that manual crafting quickly becomes impractical, and by the time Information Matrix production is underway, Processors become a permanent, large-scale consumable. They are also an intermediate material for Quantum Chips, which extend Processor use into later science and endgame logistics.

• Processors are required for many important recipes, so they remain in constant demand throughout the game.
• Their logistics compression rate makes them efficient to ship compared with raw silicon inputs, and it can be worthwhile to place Processor production on silicon-rich planets rather than importing ore or High-Purity Silicon.
• When planning for the endgame, expect large Processor throughput, since they are needed both for Quantum Chips and for Dyson Sphere-related production, including Small Carrier Rockets.
• Because Processor production consumes significant Silicon Ore, securing sufficient silicon veins is a major bottleneck; low-deposit sources can be exhausted quickly.
• Unlocking them with the Electromagnetic Matrix does not mean demand stays low for long: once the player reaches Structure Matrix and later Information Matrix production, Processor consumption becomes a major part of the factory’s material budget.