Hi DjangO!
NickN is well known as a FSX - DX9 guy, and his recommendations/NI settings refer especially to DX9 users. DX10 needs (as I'm using with success and the DX10 Fixer; would never return to DX9) other settings...look here: http://www.nzfsim.org/index.php?dsp=downloads&f_sort=fixer.
So if you use DX10 it needs for better graphics the 4 SGSS setting in NI and (MINUS!!!) - 1.000 to - 1.500 (depending on shimmering experience in sim and your AA Setting ) LOD Bias. The higher the AA Setting, the higher LOD bias should be (e.g. 8xAA needs -1.5000).
Best regards from Alex, Germany