not sure about the last one (are you reading it right 120000 is a huge difference from 8000 maybe it's a typo and should be 12000 that would make more sense!)

As for the other part of the post. That's exactly right light doesn't bounce in cg you have to fake it. Turning on raytracing isn't always the best solution so yes you will need more bounce lights and fills than in real life to get the same result.

Alan