I played 1.6 Gregtech(Manually, no automation) up to the Industrial Grinder/Plate Cutting Machine point(with 2000k Blast Furnace, enough for stainless steel), and was almost ready to make the Thermal Centrifuge(had to defeat ender dragon to get end stone for helium) before I finally called it quits. Gregtech was made for Automation, and I kinda suck at it, especially when Machines/Pipes/Item transport seems costly. I still like IC2 quite alot though. I went through dozens of Lava bucket runs from my base to the mine below before I got 16 wind mills that filled my 2 ADV Batpacks and CESU in minutes.
The next phase I would have to do is invest in Automated mining/ore processing and either Defeat the Ender Dragon or scour the Nether for 96 Glowstone*3 Mining lasers for Therm Cent and Pattern Storage.
The next phase I would have to do is invest in Automated mining/ore processing and either Defeat the Ender Dragon or scour the Nether for 96 Glowstone*3 Mining lasers for Therm Cent and Pattern Storage.