Avatar Vertex Program Combined in 1.9.1?

The reason i ask this is when I start the main grid SL up, avatar vertex program is checked. I absolutely CANNOT run avatar vertex program. It lags me wayy down. Like from a sim full of people WITHOUT it checked I get like a 11-12 fps out of mouselook and 15 in mouselook....WITH avatar vertex checked..that gets depleted to 1.5 to 2.0 fps out of mouselook and 2.5-3.0 fps in mouselook! I hope its not combined. If so.... I recommend that it be a selective option all to itself like vertex shaders and like it is in the current 1.9.0 main grid. If not.... I fear my sl experience will go down the tubes, as a bigger vid card is not an option for me anytime soon. Any thoughts, recommendations?

*bumped once*