No need to overthink it. He already said:

So, just go to CREE PCT and pick the emitter you would use, and find where you get ~500lm output. Then put the number of 7135’s on your driver needed to reach that.

Example:

  • The CREE XP-L HI V3 reaches (just over) 500lm at 1.15A according to the PCT.
  • The AMC7135 comes in 350mA and 380mA increments.
  • So, using the 350mA variety, you could choose to use three chips, for 1.05A, and have ~476lm or four chips, for 1.4A and ~608lm.
  • But, if you go with the 380mA chip, you could hit closer to your goal, 1.14A with three chips, giving you just over 500lm output.

You ultimately want to be as close as possible because of efficiency. Too many chips, and you’ll be using PWM heavily, losing efficiency of the emitter.