What is the main purpose of this pc?
Is in just for gaming, or do you run batch applications primarily?
If it is for gaming, I think you have a reasonably well balanced pc so far as the cpu vs. gpu balance goes.
Here is my stock approach to the cpu vs. gpu issue:
Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer tends to like many threads.
You need to find out which.
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To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:
a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.
b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.
You should also experiment with removing one or more cores/threads. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option.
You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of threads to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many threads.
If you see little difference, your game does not need all the threads you have.
It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system,
and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
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Your current i5-3450 has a passmark rating of 6518. That is when all 4 threads are fully utilized.
The single thread rating is 1856. That is arguably most important for most games.
The strongest processor your motherboard can support is a 8 thread i7-7700K running at stock.
Passmark 9524/2063.
Not a bad upgrade, but with your budget, you can consider a much stronger cpu upgrade.
The intel 9th gen processors are due out soon.
I would think that the I5-9600k processor with an overclock would be a good upgrade.
It is likely to be a slightly better performer than the current i5-8600K at a similar price with 6 threads and an overclock near 5.0
I5-8600K has a passmark rating of 12,814 and a single thread rating of 2521.
You will want a Z370 based motherboard. If z390 is available, so much the better.
Many here will suggest ryzen with an abundance of threads.
Me, not so much. Intel has higher single thread performance, and few games can make effective use of more than 4 threads.
Modern intel or ryzen all use DDR4 ram.
Plan on buying a 2 x 8gb ram kit.
Speed is not particularly important for intel.
On the graphics side, you probably should consider a GPU upgrade.
Something in the GTX1070 class.
The new Nvidia RTX cards will be very high performance (and price)
Once they show up in numbers, I imagine you could buy a GTX1080ti at a discount.
Your 550w psu is fine. It can support a graphics card as good as a GTX1080.
Here are other options:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
I would most definitely include a ssd in your upgrade plans.
It is one of the most satisfying performance upgrades for everyday work.
240gb should be minimum, but with the lower prices of ssd devices, consider 500gb.
You can use your 500gb HDD for overflow.
I like the Samsung evo for performance and reliability. M.2 or 2.5" should be priced equally.
On a budget, the slightly higher priced m.2 pcie devices may really not be worth it.
I would avoid a laptop unless you need the portability.
And, for portability, a 17" laptop will be very heavy.
A laptop is not likely to be upgradeable in the future.
With a desktop, you will have cpu and gpu upgrade options.
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