Metal halide vs hps

I know hps is better for flowering but the hps light I inherited has a bad ballast and for half the money of a new ballast I can get a 400W metal halide. How much of a difference does this make in the bud? I will have 4 plants in a 3x2 area roughly 6000 lumens per sq ft. 1500 less than my hps. Thanks in advance!

You're still going to get strong growth and good buds with MH. Is HPS better for bud growth...yes. Will it make a huge difference in yield? Probably not. I've just found that the buds are tighter and bigger with HPS because the spectrum HPS displays is better for bud formation.

I suggest trying the MH lamps this grow, and if you're unhappy with the yield, pick up a HPS for next time. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with ur grow.