Well, glad it finally works out for you mate.
If you had reduced your textures earlier you wouldn't have had to wait for the beta patch either (i've been getting no less than 25-30 FPS on a much slower rig than yours ever since April/May by doing this), the sim looks good enough with lowered textures and it "buys" you enough FPS to "exchange" by setting other options higher: more FPS and better looks than running original textures without shadows/grass/other details.
Since you started flying and all, i think it's a good time to wish good luck and safe landings
