v12: Are patches still necessary?

[Sandmonkee]

-I have a new Slim PS2 (v12).
-I have ordered Swap Magic 3.3 and the little plastic doo-hickey for tricking the PS2 into not noticing that I'm opening the lid. It should be here tonight
-I have two games that I have already backed up onto my PC hard drive as MDS/MDF files using Alcohol120%

Before I start burning these (and possibly making all kinds of coasters), can someone tell me if I need to apply patches to the images? I've heard that with the v12 just a straight burn of an image will be ok, so long as I'm using good media and a slow burn speed.

Does anyone have any experience burning backups and playing on a v12 using Swap Magic 3.3? Do you have to apply a patch?

Thanks!
Mike