Total tech cost is less important rather than at which time you are forced to pay for those costs.
This is a pretty important distinction. Sov early game vs. OKW is harrowing with 3x conscripts 2 engie standard start against an s-pio 3-4 volks start. It's extremely predictable since the only way sovs can survive is stall to a T70. I feel like if you can keep your 3 cons alive to T4, then the additional performance is deserved. It's a lot less risky to do a T1 penal start... but then OKW is not fighting 7-man cons.