Upgrade options for "Apple Mac Pro "NEHALEM" 2.8GHz?

i own apple mac pro "nehalem" 2.8ghz (mid 2010) model.

model identifier: 5,1

current specs are:
- 1 2.8ghz quad-core intel xeon "nehalem" processor
- 8gb owc ddr3 ecc sdram memory
- 1tb hard drive + 2tb wd caviar black drive

i'm planning on keeping 3 years because got deal on it.
upgrades option? processor?

have decent ($1500) budget upgrades , apple led cinema display.
lots of graphic designing, photography , video editing.

looking add more power, , speed, while running photoshop, final cut, logic, runs smoothly.
instead of upgrading new mac pro later year, i'd rather keep 1 , spend on upgrades.

let me know,
advice appreciated.

 

at first glance suggest doubling ram 16gb - check activity monitor amount of ram usage on demanding tasks. use photoshop , use available ram (8gb in mbp). photoshop cs5 lets set max amount of ram seems perform best when set 70% of total ram making 5+gb available. see attachment showing use of photoshop 9mb of free ram left

suggestion add 120gb ssd drive exclusive use os , software.

both of these upgrades, more ram , faster ssd application drive can make more noticeable performance difference upgrading processor

 

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