Time For A Upgrade?

This is my current computer specifications:

Windows 7 Professional x64

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9559 @ 2.83GHz 2.83 GHz

8.00 GB DDR2 Ram

Some additional information from CPUID



Results from Crucial system scan



CPUID shows my current memory as PC2-6400 (400 MHz) but the Crucial scan says I have PC2-8400 and Crucial recommends I purchase PC2-5300.

Can someone explain what all this means to me?

I am into photography and my main application is Lightroom 4 with Photoshop CS6 for more advanced edits.

I would prefer to upgrade my entire system to something built around a Intel Core i7 3700 processor and 32 GB of DDR 3 ram. Maybe next year but not now, cost is just out of reach. I can purchase the Crucial recommended ram, two sets for a total of 16GB at Amazon for $300. How can I be sure I am spending my money wisely? How can I test to see if my computer is slow because of a lack of ram?

Any advice would be appreciated....Floyd.

Would you buy oats for a dead horse?

I'm guessing no.

Similarly, I wouldn't upgrade that PC if I could help it.

As you see, the old DDR2 RAM is more expensive than current DDR3 RAM. You can't use DDR2 RAM in a Core i7 or i5 or anything similar.

You can buy 16 GB of high quality DDR3 for maybe $100.

You can find out if you are using all of your RAM by looking at Resource Monitor on the memory tab. It looks like you now have 8 GB. No point in getting more if you aren't using all of the 8--even if it were cheap.

Your processor is 5 or 6 year old technology at best. A strong horse.......in its day.

In what way is the PC "slow" and is that a new development? Slow at what?

I agree. I wouldn't spend any money upgrading your current system, which is still a decent overall computer. Save that money towards a new PC when you feel it is right. If you do upgrade to a new computer, you could still sell your current one to help offset some of the cost.