Ok so here is an apples to apples comparison of ****** Mod **and the 4.18 preview.
Skylight only, using an HDRI and 15 light bounces. Static lighting scale of 0.1
ini was modified on both : NumShadowRaysScale=**16 , **NumPenumbraShadowRaysScale=**64 , **NumHemisphereSamplesScale=**32
Mod**: 3 h build time
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**4.18 preview ** : 1.5 h build time
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's build is much faster, but I feel that 's modded version looks a bit nicer. There is a big difference in brightness although I imagine that Daniels build might play better with sun lighting.
P.S Thank you for your contribution.