Very interesting read, thanks!
Have you been tracking performance for AMD GPU users as well? The very best visual part of the game - atmospheric planets - is completely borked for me and many other AMD GPU users. I had to turn Kerbin clouds to a minimum due to the horror, and Jool from up close looks like an eye with a blotchy blurred pupil surrounded by plain green. I haven't dared to go to Eve... That and the save corruption are the two main things preventing me from enjoying the game, otherwise it seems fun!