ok guys given all the debate (read: 
on my behalf) + the fact we SHOULD damn be able to put together a good micro plan with all the time we have 
i've finally had a serious look + understood the tech mechanics
http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/strategy...search.php
what it means is, for example, for AH we know both optional techs, which gives us a 40% bonus to beakers applied to the tech. the base beakers are (whatever your total beakers are + 1)
say we're pulling 10 beakers/turn. for AH our beakers applied to it per turn once we get Ag would be (10+1) * (1.4) = 15/turn, so AH would take 12 turns
mining would be full cost but BW as ilios pointed out would only take 17 turns at 10 raw beakers output.
on my behalf) + the fact we SHOULD damn be able to put together a good micro plan with all the time we have i've finally had a serious look + understood the tech mechanicshttp://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/strategy...search.php
what it means is, for example, for AH we know both optional techs, which gives us a 40% bonus to beakers applied to the tech. the base beakers are (whatever your total beakers are + 1)
say we're pulling 10 beakers/turn. for AH our beakers applied to it per turn once we get Ag would be (10+1) * (1.4) = 15/turn, so AH would take 12 turns
mining would be full cost but BW as ilios pointed out would only take 17 turns at 10 raw beakers output.