Quick Answer
The best Factorio mods for SA gamers are Krastorio 2, Space Exploration, Bob's and Angel's, the Squeak Through quality-of-life mod, and Factorissimo. Factorio is GPU-light, so a heavily modded mega-base needs a fast CPU and 32GB RAM more than a graphics card, run well on a build around R16,000-R20,000 at Evetech.
Essential Factorio Mods to Install First
Krastorio 2 is the most popular overhaul, adding new tiers and balance. Space Exploration is a vast endgame expansion. Bob's and Angel's deepen the recipe tree for hardcore players, while Squeak Through and Factorissimo are pure quality of life. These mods grow your base scale, which raises CPU and RAM demand, not GPU load; Factorio's 2D engine stays light no matter how complex the factory. Install everything through the official mod loader and add mods in small batches, testing stability after each, to keep the list reliable.
The SA Build for Modded Factorio Mega-Bases
A modded Space Exploration or Krastorio 2 mega-base hammers the CPU. A Ryzen 7 9800X3D (around R12,000) with 32GB DDR5-6000 holds 60 UPS far longer than a slower chip, which is what actually matters in modded Factorio. The GPU is almost irrelevant; an entry RTX 5060 near R7,000-R9,000 is plenty. Keep saves on a 1TB NVMe, since large modded saves load and autosave faster on fast storage.
FAQ
What are the best Factorio mods?
Krastorio 2 and Space Exploration are the headline overhauls, with Bob's and Angel's for depth and Squeak Through plus Factorissimo for quality of life.
Does modded Factorio need a powerful GPU?
No. Factorio is 2D and GPU-light even with overhaul mods. Your CPU single-thread speed and RAM decide how large a base holds 60 UPS.
What hardware runs modded Factorio mega-bases?
A fast CPU like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D with 32GB DDR5-6000. Those sustain 60 UPS in huge modded bases where a slower chip drops below it.
Factorio, build around a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 32GB DDR5-6000 from Evetech. CPU and RAM hold 60 UPS in mega-bases; the GPU is almost irrelevant.