is there any downside to it?

like a reasonable risk to lose the savefiles, once they release the actual patches?

Beta patch fixed 1 quest bug and improved overall performance for me (no FPS drops now, with GTX 960), so i will definitely keep using it!

Also i backup my save files after every few hours in game now. It's stated in beta update topic

Risk to save files is fairly low... the things they're testing in the beta patch will most likely end up in the final-release patch.

I'm running the beta patch because it specifically addresses an issue that matters to me (key binding). I'll have to test the new release tonight and see if they fixed any of the outstanding issues that i found with the first beta release.

I have automatic up-dates enabled, so I think so?

You have to opt-in

Steam>Library>fallout 4 (right click)>properties>Betas (tab)>beta-update (in the dropdown).

You have to enable beta updates in steam to get this patch.

@OP Yes using it and my game is more stable, specifically the slide show events are considerably less often but still happen

I've been trying them, in the hopes that they'll fix my CTD issue, but haven't had any luck. Since I can't play either way, it's more of a hassle to uninstall them after than to just let it sit and wait for the next beta patch.

I have one ESP file, so no... I am waiting and hoping for non-beta release of this patch and I would like to be able to use esp files...

Why would that be a factor that stops you? Why not just.. re-enable the esp?

I literally have to use it hahah

If you're worried then theres not really a point in using it unless you have one of the errors listed in the patch notes or the Monsignor CTD, you might as well wait otherwise as it won't effect performance really (some have even claimed it hurts it)

The beta patches are usually pretty safe to use, but if you intend on using it consider yourself warned if something bad does happen.

Also, if you intend on using the beta and reporting any issues with it, you should not be using any mods (especially any .esp/.esm mods) as they might be the underlying cause of the problem. Also remember that some data from the .esp/.esm mods can be baked into your saves, so it can still be there in the savegame even if you have "unselected/uninstalled" the mod.

lucky, i still get drops on my 970 :/