Money generation in Upload Labs goes through three clear phases, each introducing new systems that dramatically scale your income. This Upload Labs Money Production Guide breaks down those phases with efficient layouts, upgrade priorities, and resource-distribution logic so you can maximise revenue at every stage of progression.
Upload Labs Money Production Guide – How Money Is Earned
There are two primary income models:
Uploader (Early to Mid-Game)
Uploads processed files. Income depends on:
- File type
- File modifiers applied before upload
Server (Late-Game)
Stores processed files and earns income based on:
- Value of stored files
- Upload Speed allocated to the server
Because server earnings scale with value per byte, optimisation becomes more about quality and compression rather than pure volume.
File Sources
Downloaded Files (Early Game)
Your initial file source. Requires Download Speed.
AI-Generated Files (Mid to Late Game)
Unlocked through AI systems. Massive value boost.
How AI generation works:
- AI Trainers convert 10t files + GPU clock speed into neurons
- Neuron count increases with Distillators and Enhancers
- Each neuron allows a Text Generator to produce 10b files/sec, each with Scanned, Validated, and AI modifiers by default
Core File Modifiers and Why They Matter
| Modifier | Effect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scanned | 4× value | Needs Antivirus/Quarantine or Antivirus Pro |
| Validated | 4× value | Checksum + possible re-download |
| Compressed | ½ file size (max 3 stacks) | Reduces processing and upload requirements |
| Enhanced | 2× value & 2× size (max 3 stacks) | Best applied last |
| AI | Value × 20,000,000 | Only applied via AI generation |
Compression first, Enhancement last is the golden rule.
Compressing after enhancing reduces enhancement level, and enhancing after compression reverses compression, so the order is crucial.
Early-Game Layout (Download → Process → Upload)
When you’re limited to downloaded files, the aim is to maximise value per CPU and network cycle.
Recommended Processing Chain
- Download file
- Compress ×3 (or as many as unlocked)
- Antivirus
- Checksum
- If corrupted (50%): Re-download and continue
- Move to output folder
- Enhance ×2 (if fewer compressions, only enhance once)
- Upload
- Collect money
Balancing Network Usage
Approximate network load per file:
| Action | Cost |
|---|---|
| Download original file | 1× |
| Re-download chance | 0.5 × ½ size = 1/32 |
| Upload (after enhance) | 2× |
Ideal ratio:
Re-Download : Download : Upload = 1 : 32 : 64 (≈97 parts)
Practical alternative for simpler setup:
1 : 62 : 31
- Convert all network to download via exchangers
- Split and convert portions back to upload
Balancing CPU Usage
Base CPU demand (relative units):
- Compression: 2 + 4 + 2
- Antivirus Pro: 2/8
- Checksum: 1/8
- Enhance: 2/8 + 1
After upgrades, aim for 9 total relative CPU units, which splits cleanly across processors.
Mid-Game: AI File Production
Once you unlock AI file generation, value jumps dramatically. A normal Text File = 100 value.
An AI Text File = 32 billion value.
AI Files are already Scanned + Validated, so you only decide whether to:
| If… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Low Upload Speed | Compress before upload |
| High Upload Speed, few files | Enhance to increase value |
| More file output than upload capacity | Compress to reduce bottleneck |
Because AI files start strong, you can be selective about additional processing.
Late-Game: Server-Based Income
Here the goal changes from fast upload income to maximising stored value per byte.
Best Strategy for Server Storage
- Compress files ×3 before storage
- Enhancing increases storage size disproportionately to earnings in the server phase
- File type barely matters — ratio stays almost identical between types
Value-to-Size Behaviour
As file size increases, value gain per additional byte declines:
| Size (relative) | Money (relative) | Value/Size Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7 | 2.33 |
| 6 | 9 | 1.5 |
| 12 | 14 | 1.16 |
This trend suggests a logarithmic curve.
Conclusion: Fully compressed files give the best yield in server storage.
Optimal Approach:
Fill the server with all file types, all triple-compressed, maintaining an even distribution.
CPU & GPU Layout Tips
- Combine Processor and GPU outputs into a single stream to avoid idle resources
- Split early to allocate a stable portion to Research, the rest to your processing chain
- Before AI unlock, use Synchroniser to convert GPU to CPU when needed
Research Layout Strategy
Research speed is limited by Data Lab throughput, not download speed.
Use a Network Limiter so labs never starve or choke.
Recommended approach:
- Convert network to download
- Use limiter to feed labs a controlled flow
- Pre-Analyse → Refine → Enhance for maximum research points per file
Best file type for research:
Images – most cost-efficient balance of size vs research value
Hacking
While not fully explored here, Infection-focused builds, followed by Execute Injection, provide strong results without complex micromanagement.
Coding
| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Bug Fix Code | Fix bugged code (remove 0.25× penalty, add 4× bonus) |
| Optimisation Code | Raises value by 4× and earns Optimisation Points |
| Application Code | Generates Application Points |
| Driver Code | Improves hardware performance globally |
Resource Optimisation Tools
To fine-tune layouts, use:
- CPU Synchronisers
- Thread Managers
- Network Exchangers
- Download Mergers
These allow precise resource splitting based on chain cost.
Example:
If CPU chain requires 3 units (2 to Antivirus, 1 to Checksum), split 1:2 accordingly.