I'm running a dual core processor, so take my comments with that in mind. (I know the patch works better with quad cores.)
I left SSAO off, but left textures at 'original' setting. Otherwise, settings were unchanged. (A combination of high and medium settings.)
Performance over general terrian is as good or better than with the mod installed, but once I fly over industrial areas, the frames drop from 35+ to about 8. Yikes!
Performance over London is worse too I'm afraid, at least in my case.
Regarding the rendering of buildings - I always hated the pop-up of the buildings before, and I much prefer the fact that buildings no longer do so. The 'lego' look I can tolerate, even if at low altitudes it looks quite ugly.
Higher up though, one doesn't notice the lack of visual aesthetics too much.
I'll test some more and see how things go. My biggest concern at this point is the jarring drop in framerates in industrial areas.
Sadly I think the time is finally up for my poor old dual core. But I've had 4 years of good service out of it so I can't complain.